Gluten Free Beef and Broccoli

Why You’ll Love This Beef and Broccoli Recipe

This stir fry beef and broccoli is one of my favorite meals – it takes just minutes to prepare, doesn’t need any complicated ingredients, and can be served over your choice of rice, pasta, or even just on its own. My kids love it too – it has enough going on to keep them interested but doesn’t have anything too out of the ordinary if you know what I mean! Here are a few high points:

• Hearty. Beef is the backbone of this dish and it will keep you satiated! Add broccoli for a serving of greens and dinner is done.
• One pan. Yes, you need just one pan to make this recipe! I love a one-pan dinner, not only because it saves time both on cooking and cleanup, but because cooking all of the components in the same pan infuses the final dish with even more flavor.
• Quick. Less than half an hour is all you’ll need to set aside to make this meal. I love stir fries because they are so effective in making a fast dinner without sacrificing taste and texture. Tip: set the rice on to cook while you’re working on the stir fry to save extra time.
• Easy to make gluten free. Just make sure you have gluten free soy sauce and oyster sauce – Kikkoman is a great brand for both.

What You’ll Need

Here’s a glance at the short ingredients list for this beef and broccoli recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the full ingredient amounts.

• Broccoli
• Flank Steak: You can also use thinly sliced skirt steak.
• Beef Stock: Low-sodium or regular beef stock is fine.
• Soy Sauce: Choose a gluten free soy sauce to keep this dish gluten free.
• Honey
• Sesame Oil: You can use toasted sesame oil for a bit more depth of flavor, or use regular untoasted sesame oil.
• Cornstarch: Substitute arrowroot if you don’t have cornstarch.
• Garlic: Go ahead and add more garlic if you like a lot of garlic flavor.
• Fresh Ginger: If you prefer, you can also substitute with dry ground ginger.
• Oyster Sauce: Use gluten free oyster sauce if needed.
• Black Pepper
• Red Pepper Flakes
• Garnish: Sesame seeds and green onions.

How To Make Stir Fry Beef and Broccoli

I’ve outlined the easy steps you’ll take to make this recipe below. Find the detailed instructions in the recipe card lower down.

• Saute the broccoli. Heat oil in a skillet. Add the broccoli and cook until crisp-tender. Set aside.
• Cook the steak. Add more oil to the skillet. Brown the beef on both sides.

• Make sauce. Add the beef stock, soy sauce, honey, sesame seed oil, cornstarch, garlic, ginger, oyster sauce, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
• Cook. Mix everything until combined. Simmer the sauce until thick.
• Assemble. Stir in the cooked broccoli and beef.

• Finish. Mix well, then top the stir fry with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve over rice.

Tips for Success

A few variation suggestions to consider when you make this this beef and broccoli recipe are outlined below. To achieve crisp, not mushy broccoli, make sure to pay attention while it’s cooking so it doesn’t overcook (I hate soggy broccoli!). Here are a few more tips:

• Double the recipe. If you want leftovers for lunches later in the week, or simply are feeding a crowd, you can easily double this recipe. It’s great for meal prep!
• Add more vegetables. Consider adding other vegetables to this beef and broccoli dish in addition to the broccoli. Some options include mushrooms, red bell pepper, and spinach.
• Try other proteins. Although this is a beef and broccoli recipe, you can use the basic principles of the method to include other proteins. For example, try chicken instead of the beef.
• Use fresh ginger. If you love a gingery kick like I do, add 1-2 teaspoons of grated fresh ginger to the stir fry along with the ground ginger, or skip the ground ginger and use 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger.
• Make it spicier. Up the heat in this stir fry by adding red pepper flakes, or drizzle portions of beef and broccoli with hot sauce for a little kick. Alternatively, skip the red pepper if you like a milder dish.
• Keep it gluten free. If you are gluten free, you’ll need to use gluten free soy sauce and oyster sauce because many standard versions of these products are made with wheat. Gluten free options are readily available from well-known brands like Kikkoman. For the oyster sauce, you can use additional soy sauce, substitute fish sauce (which is saltier, so use less or balance with more honey), or gluten free teriyaki sauce (this is a slightly sweeter sauce).