This isn’t your average takeout beef and broccoli. This recipe is all about creating a healthy and flavorful dish at home, packed with protein and essential nutrients. It’s surprisingly simple to make, coming together in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner option.
Ingredients:
1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced (against the grain)
Instructions:
1. Marinate the Beef: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, soy sauce, vegetable broth, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic powder. Add the sliced beef and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes for extra tender meat.
2. Prepare the Broccoli: While the beef marinates, wash and cut the broccoli into florets. Slice the red bell pepper into thin strips.
3. Cook the Broccoli: In a large skillet or wok, heat a tablespoon of cooking oil over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli florets and red bell pepper slices. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are slightly softened and crisp-tender. Remove the vegetables from the pan and set aside.
4. Cook the Beef: Add another tablespoon of cooking oil to the pan. Increase the heat to high. Remove the beef from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Add the beef to the hot pan and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly, until browned and cooked through.
5. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and cornstarch. Pour the mixture into the pan with the cooked beef. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly.
6. Assemble and Serve: Return the cooked broccoli and red pepper to the pan with the beef and sauce. Toss to combine and heat through for another minute. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
7. Serve Immediately: Serve the beef and broccoli over rice or noodles. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Calories: 350
Please note: This is just an estimate, and the actual nutritional content will vary depending on the specific ingredients you use.
Conclusion
This healthy beef and broccoli recipe is a delicious and satisfying way to get your protein and veggie fix. It’s easy to customize this dish to your liking. You can add other vegetables like carrots, snap peas, or water chestnuts. You can also adjust the spice level by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes! Flank steak is a great choice because it’s thin and cooks quickly. However, you can also use other thin cuts of beef, such as skirt steak or sirloin steak. Just be sure to slice the meat thinly against the grain for maximum tenderness.
2. How can I make this dish even healthier?
There are a few ways to make this dish even healthier. You can use lean ground beef instead of sliced steak. You can also use brown rice instead of white rice for added fiber.
3. What if I don’t have cornstarch?
You can substitute arrowroot powder for cornstarch in a 1:1 ratio. If you don’t have either, you can thicken the sauce slightly by whisking in an egg yolk mixed with a tablespoon of water towards the end of cooking.
4. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can! Marinate the beef and prepare the vegetables ahead of time. Then, when you’re ready to eat, simply cook the beef and vegetables according to the instructions. However, the broccoli will lose some of its crispness if stored for too long.
