Steak & Broccoli Stir-Fry (Savory, Fast, High-Protein)

The Stir Fry That Rescued My Tuesday

I’ve worked in kitchens, cooked for others, and written down more recipes than I can count—but honestly, this dish didn’t come from some master plan.

It came from one of those nights when I was running on empty. I opened the fridge hoping something—anything—would jump out.

What I found was half a head of broccoli and a small packet of beef I forgot I’d even marinated. Nothing fancy, but enough to work with.

So, I grabbed a wok. Didn’t measure. Just moved by instinct—soy sauce here, oyster sauce there, garlic, a splash of vinegar.

The kind of freestyle cooking that comes from making dinner more nights than not. Ten minutes later, I had a bowl of beef and broccoli that tasted better than takeout, and more importantly, like something I actually wanted to eat.

The beef was still tender, the broccoli had bite, and the sauce. It coated everything just right.

Since then, I’ve made this stir fry too many times to count. It’s become my go-to when the day runs long and I still want something real.

No stress, no piles of dishes, just one pan and dinner on the table before I can talk myself into ordering out.

Why You’ll Keep Making It

Start to finish in 20 minutes—faster than deciding what to order.

You don’t need fancy stuff; what’s in your fridge will probably work.

The sauce is glossy, salty-sweet, and completely addicting.

It reheats well, too—if there’s anything left.

Ingredients

Main stuff:

300 g beef tenderloin, thinly sliced across the grain

400 g broccoli, chopped into bite-size pieces

3 garlic cloves, minced

Sesame seeds (if you’re feeling fancy)

To marinate the beef:

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp oyster sauce

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp rice vinegar

1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water

Stir fry sauce:

1 tbsp oyster sauce

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp dark soy sauce

1 tbsp honey (or just sugar)

1 tbsp sesame oil

1 tsp ground black pepper

1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 5 tbsp water

How to Make It

1. Marinate the beef

In a bowl, toss the beef with all the marinade stuff. Doesn’t need to be perfect—just make sure the beef gets coated. Let it sit for a while. If you’ve got 30 minutes, great. Do some chores first, or play with your dog (if you have one). 

2. Make the sauce

Grab another bowl and whisk everything together. Cornstarch is your friend here—it thickens the sauce like magic.

3. Prep the broccoli

Boil water. Add broccoli. Let it cook for about a minute, then drain and rinse under cold water to keep it bright and hydrated.

4. Stir-fry time

Get a pan hot, splash in some oil, and toss in the garlic. Stir quickly. Add beef, spread it out, don’t crowd it. Brown it up for a few minutes. Pour in the sauce and broccoli. Stir things around until the sauce thickens and everything is coated in that sticky goodness.

5. Serve it up

Spoon it over rice or slurp it up with noodles. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top if you’ve got ’em. Or not. No rules here.

Tiny Tips That Help

Cut the beef across the grain so it’s not chewy.

Want heat? Chili flakes do the trick.

Leftovers? Just hit it with water or broth and reheat—it’s still tasty.

Last Words Before You Eat

This stir fry isn’t fancy. It’s not “chef-tested” or any of that. It’s just the thing I turn to when I’m tired and need a quick dinner win.

It hits all the right notes: quick, easy, delicious. And if you make it once, it might just show up again next week.

If you try it, tell me—did you riff on it? Add mushrooms? Squeeze in lime? Let’s keep it fun.