Beef with Garlic Sauce
Beef with Garlic Sauce is an Asian-inspired dinner made with thinly sliced flank steak, broccoli florets, garlic, fresh ginger, soy sauce, and other seasonings. Enjoy this flavorful and easy meal in just 30 minutes! Make it a complete dinner by serving over rice or noodles for a delicious weeknight dish your family will love.
Try some of our other flavor-packed recipes like Shrimp Curry, Coconut Jasmine Rice, and Sauteed Broccoli with Garlic.
Beef and Broccoli in Garlic Sauce
Chinese beef and broccoli in garlic sauce is an incredibly flavorful dish that’s perfect for an easy weeknight dinner. Thinly sliced beef gets seared until it’s tender, then cooked with fresh broccoli florets in a savory garlic sauce.
The combination of flavors creates a delicious meal that the whole family will love! Plus, the entire dish can be made in one pan, which makes cleanup quick and easy.
How to Make Beef with Garlic Sauce:
This meal is super simple with maximum flavor. Here’s a snapshot of how we make it!
See the recipe card below for the ingredient amounts and full instructions.
- Cut the flank steak into thin strips against the grain. Place the strips in a bowl with cornstarch and garlic powder, and toss to coat.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once heated, add steak and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until browned. Remove the steak from the skillet and set aside.
- Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in the same pan and reduce heat to low-medium. Add the garlic and ginger. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the sliced bell pepper, mushrooms, and broccoli florets. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the steak back to the skillet. Pour in the soy sauce, and stir to combine. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Drizzle with sesame oil, and stir once more.
- Serve over rice with green onions and sesame seeds.
Tips for Success:
- Instead of 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, you can also use 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of hoisin sauce, or adjust to taste.
- For a spicy option, add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or 1 teaspoon sriracha.
- We used button mushrooms but use your favorite variety. Shiitake makes a great option.
- Garlic paste or ginger paste are great substitutes for fresh versions.
- Instead of flank steak, try skirt steak, tri-tip, flat iron, or hanger steak.
- Add other stir fry vegetables such as pea pods, carrots, or baby corn.
- Toasted sesame oil adds the most flavor, but you can also use regular sesame oil.
How to Store Beef with Garlic Sauce:
Refrigerator: Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freezing is not recommended.
To Reheat: Microwave on half power until warmed through or heat over low heat on the stovetop.
What does beef with garlic sauce taste like?
Beef with garlic sauce has a savory and salty flavor. The beef is tender and the garlic adds a nice aroma. Along with the fragrant ginger and umami from the mushrooms, this dish provides a complex mix of flavors.
Is this dish spicy?
No, our beef and broccoli with garlic sauce isn’t spicy. If you add extra ginger, red pepper flakes, or sriracha sauce, then this dish will be spicy.
What does it mean to cut meat against the grain?
Cutting against the grain means cutting the meat perpendicular to the direction of its muscle fibers. This type of cut helps break up dense tissues and makes for a much more tender dish, as opposed to cutting with the grain which can make meat tough and chewy.
To make the flank steak in this dish shine, make sure to cut it against the grain.
What is a good substitute for soy sauce?
Tamari is a good substitute for soy sauce if you’re looking for a gluten-free option. It also tends to be darker in color and thicker in texture.
Other alternatives include coconut aminos, which are made from the sap of coconut trees and contain no gluten, soy, or wheat; or liquid aminos, which are vegan-friendly and gluten-free but still have a salty taste similar to that of soy sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 pound flank steak
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil, divided (vegetable, canola, avocado, etc.)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, any variety; thinly sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons green onion, sliced
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Cut the flank steak into thin strips against the grain. Place it in a bowl with the cornstarch and garlic powder then toss to coat.1 pound flank steak1 tablespoon cornstarch½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once heated, add the steak and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side or until browned. Remove the steak and set aside.
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet and reduce heat to low-medium. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook for 30 seconds.1 tablespoon minced garlic1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- Place the sliced bell pepper, mushrooms, and broccoli into the pan. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.1 red bell pepper8 ounces mushrooms1 cup broccoli florets
- Add the steak back to the pan, and pour in the soy sauce. Stir to combine and cook for 3 to 4 minutes then drizzle with sesame oil. Stir once more.2 tablespoons soy sauce1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- Serve with rice, green onions, and sesame seeds.
- Scroll up to the post for tips, FAQs, substitutions, and storage options.
