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Panda Express Beef and Broccoli with tender beef and steamed broccoli in savory sauce

Panda Express Beef and Broccoli

A quick and simple stir fry recipe that captures the flavors of takeout with tender beef, bright broccoli, and a glossy sauce.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Beef and Marinade
  • 1 pound flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce For marinade
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch For marinade
  • 1 teaspoon sugar For marinade
  • 1 teaspoon oil For marinade
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar For marinade
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda Optional for tenderness
Vegetables and Sauce
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, stems peeled and sliced if desired
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce For sauce
  • 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce For sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey For sauce
  • 1/3 cup beef or chicken broth For sauce
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar For sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil For sauce
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch For sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 green onions, sliced optional for garnish
  • sesame seeds to taste optional garnish
Cooking oil
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil For stir frying

Method
 

Slice and Marinate
  1. Pat the beef dry, slice it thin against the grain, and toss with the quick marinade. Rest it in the fridge for 15 minutes while you stir together the sauce and prep broccoli, garlic, and ginger.
Stir Fry the Beef and Broccoli
  1. Heat your skillet over medium high until hot. Add oil, spread the beef in one layer, and let it sear before stirring. Cook about 2 minutes until just browned and mostly cooked, then transfer to a plate.
  2. Add broccoli and a splash of water, cover for 1 minute, uncover, and stir until crisp tender.
Sauce and Finish
  1. Push broccoli to the edges, add a tiny bit of oil if the pan looks dry, then add minced garlic and ginger for 20 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Return the beef and any juices. Stir the sauce, pour it in, and let it bubble and thicken.
  3. Kill the heat, add sesame oil, taste, and adjust. This Panda Express Beef and Broccoli is ready to serve over steamed rice.

Notes

For best results, slice the beef cold, and heat your pan adequately before cooking to achieve a good sear. The broccoli should be bright green and just tender for optimal texture.