Beef and broccoli with garlic is a healthy and ketogenic dish. The secret to making it as tender and juicy as in a Chinese restaurant is to marinate the beef and give it a message. Then add a little baking soda or beer. You’ll be surprised how easy it’s to make this dish as delicious as in a Chinese restaurant.
Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Normally, this dish is prepared in Chinese restaurants by first frying the beef briefly and then adding the broccoli and sauce. This makes the dish greasy and has high calories, also making it fatter and unhealthy.
What I do is to add a tablespoon of oil when I marinate the beef, and only a little oil to stir-fry the beef so that it doesn’t stick together during pan fry and too much oil isn’t needed. This way the dish isn’t too fatty and is healthier.
Ingredients
- Beef- I use flank steak, but you can also use sirloin or tenderloin. More expensive cuts (such as filet) can also be used.
- Broccoli- My method is the lazy variety. Just add garlic and 1/4 cup water, cover the pot, and the broccoli will soften in 2 minutes.
- Soy sauce and oyster sauce- you need to add both to get a balanced salty and sweet flavor.
- Garlic- this is a must for Chinese food.
- Cornstarch- this is the Chinese way to thicken the sauce.
- Sesame oil- I use sesame oil to add more flavor to the dish.
Beef Marinade
You add soy sauce, baking soda powder, white pepper powder, rice wine, and beaten egg, stir and marinate with your hands to make the beef more flavor. Add cornstarch and oil at the end and marinate them for more than 10 minutes.
PRO TIP: The cornstarch and oil should be added last. The cornstarch does the job of sealing the marinade. The oil will keep the beef from sticking together when it’s pan-fried.
If you’re marinating more than 30 minutes in advance or marinating before the day, you don’t need to add the baking soda, cornstarch, and oil, just add them 10 minutes before cooking.
How to make
- Cut the beef – To make the flank steak more tender, always cut against the grain direction. You can refer to my other post, "How To Velvet Beef For Stir Fry?" I'll show you how to cut the beef and how to tenderize it.PRO TIP: Cut the beef against the direction of the grain so that the tissue can be separated and the bite is easier to make.
- Marinade beef – You add soy sauce, baking soda powder, white pepper powder, rice wine, and beaten egg, stir and marinate with your hands to give more flavor to the beef. Second, add cornstarch and oil at the end and marinate them for more than 10 minutes.PRO TIP: The marinated beef should be stirred and marinated by hand in this order to marinate the beef. The reason for this is that it allows the beef to absorb the flavor better.
- Mix the sauce- Combine all the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl and stir until fully combined. Set aside.
- Beef Stir Fry- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil and brown the beef. Stir fry for 1-2 minutes until it changes color. Remove steak and set aside. PRO TIP: Don't overcook or the flank steak will become tough.
- Sauté the aromatics – To the same skillet add 1 teaspoon of oil, along with the garlic to the pan and sauté for 10-15 seconds.
- Add broccoli and 2 tablespoons of water then cover the pan and simmer until tender, about 3~5 minutes.
- Add the sauce – Add the sauce to the pan and bring to a simmer.
- Return the beef – Add the steak back in and stir for 20-30 seconds.
- Garnish with green onions or sesame before serving.
How To Store Leftovers
- Store leftovers in the freezer for four months or in the fridge for four days.
- Freeze in single portions for a quick dinner on busy nights.
- If using bell peppers or other veggies, you may want to pick them out or they will get mushy.
- I love making a double batch of this recipe because it makes great leftovers to enjoy the next day.
How To Reheat Keto Beef and Broccoli
For best results, I recommend reheating leftover them in a skillet over medium heat. If you microwave the beef, it can become slightly rubbery.
What do you eat with Beef and Broccoli
EGG FRIED RICE
BUBBLE TEA
BOK CHOY STIR FRY
EGG DROP SOUP
Ingredients
BEEF MARINADE:
- 0.67 lb /300g flank steak , sliced 1/4 inch thick
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon beaten egg
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 tablespoon rice wine , Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
- 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
FOR THE SAUCE:
- 120 cc water
- 1/2 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
STIR FRY:
- 4 cups /300g broccoli florets
- 2 gloves garlic , minced
Instructions
- Cut the beef – To make the flank steak more tender, always cut against the grain direction. (Note 1)
- First, add 2 tablespoons of water and stir or message the meat by hand to help it absorb the water.
- Second, add oyster sauce, baking soda powder, white pepper powder, rice wine, and beaten egg, stir and marinate with your hands to make the beef more flavor.Thirdly, add cornstarch and oil at the end and marinate them for more than 10 minutes. (Note 2)
- Mix the sauce- Combine all the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl and stir until fully combined. Set aside.
- Beef Stir Fry- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil and brown the beef. Stir fry for 1-2 minutes until it changes color. Remove steak and set aside. (Note 3)
- Sauté the aromatics – To the same skillet add 1 teaspoon of oil, along with the garlic to the pan and sauté for 10-15 seconds.
- Add broccoli and 2 tablespoons of water then cover the pan and simmer until tender, about 3~5 minutes.
- Add the sauce – Add the sauce to the pan and bring to a simmer.
- Return the beef – Add the steak back in and stir for 20-30 seconds.
- Garnish with green onions before serving.
Video
Tips & Notes:
- Cut the beef against the direction of the grain so that the tissue can be separated and the bite is easier to make.
- The marinated beef should be stirred and marinated by hand in this order to marinate the beef. The cornstarch and oil should be added last. The starch does the job of sealing the marinade. The oil will keep the beef from sticking together when it’s pan-fried. If you’re marinating more than 30 minutes in advance or marinating before the day, you don’t need to add the baking soda, cornstarch, and oil, just add them 10 minutes before cooking.
- Don’t overcook or the flank steak will become tough.
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