Chinese Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry Recipe | Cookin' Canuck (2024)

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This Chinese Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry recipe from The Skinnytaste Cookbook is just what every family needs...healthy, delicious and easy.
Chinese Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry Recipe | Cookin' Canuck (1)

I'm not sure how to start this post - whether I should tell you about the recipe, the cookbook or the cookbook author. This is a good problem to have because they are each worthy of their own post.

This awesome, healthy stir-fry recipe is one that my family is demanding to see in our regular dinner rotation. It is straight out of The Skinnytaste Cookbook, written by my friend, Gina hom*olka, who is the recipe developer, photographer and writer behind the wildly popular food blog, Skinnytaste.

Chinese Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry Recipe | Cookin' Canuck (2)

I've read Gina's blog for years and made many of her recipes, which are true to the tagline of her book...light on calories, big on flavor. Each one of Gina's recipes is accompanied by nutritional data and serving sizes. Quite honestly, you stop thinking about the calories because the flavors are so satisfying. She knows how to do "healthy" the right way, without sacrificing flavor.

Admiration for Gina's blog and recipes turned to respect and fondness for her as a person when we roomed together at a blogging retreat last year. She is just as she seems...kind, talented, thoughtful, humble and smart as a whip. This all comes through in her no-nonsense recommendations and recipes in her cookbook. From thoughts on creating a "good-for-you kitchen and lifestyle" to recipes that range from quick breakfast ideas to dishes worthy of entertaining, The Skinnytaste Cookbook has it all...not to mention beautiful photography by the talented Penny de Los Santos.

It would make a fantastic holiday gift for family and friends who are trying to eat well and love their food with plenty of flavor.

Chinese Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry Recipe | Cookin' Canuck (3)

So, let's get down to business with this recipe (scroll to the bottom for the recipe). The flavors are perfectly balanced without being complicated and there is a great balance between protein, veggies and carbs, particularly when the stir-fry is served on a bed of brown rice.

If you have never cooked with oyster sauce before, there's no need to worry. Your stir-fry will NOT taste like oysters. Rather, the sauce adds another layer of flavor that is common in Chinese cooking. You can find the sauce in the international aisle of most supermarkets.

I have one very important tip for this recipe. In fact, it applies to any stir-fry you make.

Prepare, prepare, prepare...it's so important that I needed to say it three times.

Stir-fries are popular because they're quick and easy to make. But quick cooking time means...well, quick cooking time. Things are going to move fast, so you want to have everything ready to go.

Chop everything ahead of time and line them up in the order you'll need them (that's just a little quirky preference of mine). I even whisked together the sauce ingredients in a small bowl (the soy sauce, brown sugar and oyster sauce) so that they could all be added in one fell swoop.

Chinese Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry Recipe | Cookin' Canuck (4)

This recipe can be made in less than 30 minutes, so it's perfect for those busy weeknights. There are plenty more recipes in Gina's cookbook that fit the bill for busy families. Trust me...you want this in your cookbook library.

Printable Recipe

Chinese Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry Recipe | Cookin' Canuck (5)

Chinese Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry Recipe {Skinnytaste Cookbook}

This Chinese Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry recipe is just what every family needs...healthy, delicious and easy.

4.60 from 15 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Entrees

Cuisine: Chinese

Keyword: Beef and Lamb Recipes

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 Servings

Calories: 266kcal

Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons rice wine
  • 4 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 1 pound sirloin steak trimmed of fat, thinly sliced against the grain
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 cups broccoli florets
  • 4 medium scallions cut into 1-inch pieces; white & greens separated
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • ½ teaspoon minced fresh ginger
  • 2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce

Instructions

  • In a shallow glass container, whisk together the cornstarch 2 teaspoons of the soy sauce, rice wine and 1 teaspoon of the sesame oil.

  • Sprinkle the salt over the steak. Add the steak to the marinade, turn to coat, and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

  • Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook until bright green and tender-crisp, 45 seconds to 1 minute. Drain and immediately rinse with cold water to stop the broccoli from cooking further.

  • Heat a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of the sesame oil and half of the steak. Cook 30 seconds on each side, without stirring as it’s cooking. Transfer to a plate and repeat with another 1 teaspoon of the sesame oil and the rest of the steak.

  • Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon of the sesame oil and add the white parts of the scallions, garlic and ginger. Cook for 30 seconds.

  • Add the broccoli, brown sugar, remaining 3 tablespoons of the soy sauce and oyster sauce. Cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds.

  • Add the beef and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and stir in the scallion greens.

  • Serve over brown rice.

Notes

Weight Watchers Points: 7 (SmartPoints), 7 (Points+), 6 (Old Points)
From The Skinnytaste Cookbook by Gina Holomka (re-printed with permission)

Nutrition

Serving: 1.33Cups | Calories: 266kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 855mg | Potassium: 735mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 685IU | Vitamin C: 84.1mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 3mg

Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Chinese Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry Recipe | Cookin' Canuck (2024)

FAQs

Why is Chinese stir fry beef so tender? ›

In Chinese cooking, proteins like beef, pork or chicken are velveted first before stir-frying them. There are several ways to velvet, but at its most basic level, it involves marinating meat with at least one ingredient that will make it alkaline. This is what tenderizes the meat, especially cheaper, tougher cuts.

Should you cook broccoli before stir frying? ›

An expert Chinese chef's tip for making the best broccoli

First, blanch the florets! This not only softens the stems, but also stops the enzyme that leads to browning.

How to cook stir fry beef without overcooking? ›

Don't Overcook

Thinly sliced beef only needs to be briefly seared on a hot pan before it's browned and cooked through, about a few minutes. Once the beef is browned on all sides, it is done and can be removed from the pan.

How do Chinese restaurants get broccoli so crispy? ›

The Chinese broccoli needs to cook as fast as possible, so that the nutrients and color don't have as much opportunity to leach out into the water. It's best to start with as much boiling water as you can. Restaurants serve amazingly green and crunchy Chinese broccoli because they use huge amounts of boiling water.

How do you take the bitterness out of Chinese broccoli? ›

The blanch method (before stir-frying) helps remove bitter taste. Sauté directly without blanching, which is the method I used in the recipe below, is faster but if this is your first time trying gai lan and not used to the bitter flavor, I recommend blanching the vegetable first.

Do you eat the stems of Chinese broccoli? ›

Gai lan has thick stems and dark green leaves, both of which are edible. Add to Asian-style dishes or blanch it for a nutritious side. Here's how to prepare and cook Chinese broccoli.

What is the secret ingredient in stir-fry? ›

According to Food & Wine, ketchup is the ultimate way to take the flavor of homemade stir fry up a level, thanks to its sweet and sour flavor profile. It just might be the easiest cooking hack to elevate your home cooking to that of your favorite take-out.

What are the three rules of stir-frying? ›

The first is to cook your protein and your vegetable separately, and combine them only after both are fully cooked. A second rule of thumb for stir-frying: Choose one vegetable per stir-fry. Finally, always remember to add liquid only after everything is more or less finished cooking.

How do I make sure my beef is tender for stir-fry? ›

Instructions
  1. Place the beef in a bowl and sprinkle over the bicarbonate of soda. ...
  2. Rub the bicarbonate of soda into the beef so it's thoroughly coated.
  3. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  4. Thoroughly rinse the beef in cold water, drain, then pat dry with kitchen towels.
  5. Use as per your recipe.
Jul 11, 2023

What is the best beef for Chinese stir-fry? ›

What Cut of Beef Is Best For Beef Stir-Fry? Flank steaks are the most popular choice for making a stir-fry. However, you can also use sirloin steak, skirt steak, Denver steak, or even beef chuck. Beef chuck steak is the most economical choice, but it does require some extra trimming.

What is the secret ingredient to tenderize meat? ›

Baking Soda is an Easy Meat Tenderizer

Baking soda helps prevent ground beef from drying out, allowing those burger patties to keep their moisture and brown quicker for the most flavorful cookout. Not to mention, baking soda is the ideal ingredient for getting the most out of your Thanksgiving bird.

What is the science behind velveting meat? ›

Soaking in the batter, especially overnight, chemically tenderizes the protein structure of the meat: The alkalinity of both the egg white and the optional baking soda keep the muscle proteins from squeezing together when they're cooked, thus maintaining a more tender and juicy final product.

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