A restaurant-quality stir fry that's ready in about 30 minutes. This beginner-friendly recipe delivers tender beef and crisp broccoli in a savory sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious and healthy.
In a medium bowl, combine the sliced beef with soy sauce, cornstarch, and a splash of sesame oil. Mix well with your hands or a fork until every piece is coated. Let it sit while you prep the other ingredients — this tenderizes the meat and adds flavor.
Cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets, about 1-2 inches wide. Try to keep them roughly the same size so they cook evenly. Rinse under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel.
Peel and mince the garlic cloves finely. Peel the ginger and mince it as well — you want very small pieces so they distribute flavor throughout the dish. Set both aside together on a small plate.
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, chicken broth, and cornstarch until smooth and no lumps remain. This sauce will thicken beautifully when it hits the hot wok.
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for exactly 2 minutes — they should turn bright green and be slightly tender but still crisp. Drain immediately in a colander and set aside.
Place your wok or large skillet over high heat. Let it get very hot — this is key for a good stir fry. Add half the vegetable oil and swirl it around to coat the bottom and sides of the wok.
Add half the marinated beef in a single layer — don't crowd the pan or it will steam instead of sear. Let it cook undisturbed for 1-2 minutes until browned on one side, then toss and cook another minute. Remove to a clean plate. Add a bit more oil if needed and repeat with the remaining beef.
In the same wok, add the minced garlic and ginger. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned — you just want to wake up those flavors.
Return the cooked beef to the wok along with the blanched broccoli. Give the sauce mixture a quick stir (the cornstarch settles), then pour it over everything. Toss everything together constantly for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and broccoli beautifully.
Taste and add more soy sauce if needed. Drizzle with a touch of sesame oil for extra flavor. Serve immediately over steamed white or brown rice, garnished with sesame seeds if desired.