Beef and Broccoli (西兰花牛肉): Classic Chinese-American Takeout

📌 What Is Beef and Broccoli (西兰花牛肉)?

“Xīlánhuā Niúròu” (西兰花牛肉) translates literally to "broccoli beef." While broccoli isn’t native to China, this dish was developed in Chinese-American kitchens using locally available produce. It's now a beloved staple of American-Chinese cuisine—salty, sweet, and savory with the perfect blend of textures.

🛒 Ingredients

Beef Marinade:

• 1 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced across the grain
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Shaoxing wine
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon roasted sesame oil
• ½ teaspoon cornstarch

Sauce:

• 3 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoon cornstarch
• ⅓ cup beef broth or water

Stir-Fry:

• 3 cups broccoli florets (blanched)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 2 tablespoon neutral oil (e.g., canola or avocado)

🔥 Instructions

1. Marinate the beef: In a bowl, mix sliced beef water and agressivly wash it. drain and squeeze out any excess. return to the bowl and add the baking soda and viguasly massage the meate, Add soy sauce, wine, sugar, sesame oil, and cornstarch. roughtly mix for a least 30 secs. Let it rest for 15–30 minutes, up to overnight.
2. Make the sauce: Combine all sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth.
3. Blanch the broccoli in pot with lightly salted boiling water add broccoli stir until bright green about 1 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.to stop the cooking
4. Before you start cooking make sure you have all your ingrideints ready in seperate bowls
5. Heat a wok or skillet over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil. Swirl around the wok and drain. Return the wok to the heat and when is starts to smoke, stir-fry beef in batches until browned. Set aside.
6. In the same pan, you may need to wipe out any remiaing marinade, Stri fry the broccoli on high heat until tender crisp, remove and set aside. wipe out thw wak and add remaining oil, garlic, and ginger. Stir-fry until fragrant.
7. Return beef and broccoli to the pan, then pour in the sauce. Stir until sauce thickens and coats everything, about 2–3 minutes.
8. Serve immediately.

🍚 What to Serve With Beef and Broccoli

• Steamed jasmine or basmati rice
• Lo mein or rice noodles
• Cauliflower rice for a low-carb twist
• Chili crisp or Chinese black vinegar on the side for extra zing

💡 Recipe Tips

• Flank steak works best, but sirloin is great too.
• Don’t skip the blanch and shock step for vibrant green broccoli.
• If you're making ahead, store sauce and components separately and combine right before reheating.

Beef and Broccoli (西兰花牛肉)

Sam

Make restaurant-style Beef and Broccoli (西兰花牛肉) at home with tender steak, crisp broccoli, and a rich garlic sauce. This easy stir-fry beats takeout every time.

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Course Main Course

Cuisine Chinese

Ingredients

  

• Beef Marinade:
• - 1 lb flank steak or sirloin thinly sliced across the grain
• - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• - 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• Sauce:
• - 3 tablespoon oyster sauce
• - 2 tablespoon soy sauce
• - 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• - 2 teaspoon cornstarch
• - ⅓ cup beef broth or water
• Stir-Fry:
• - 3 cups broccoli florets
• - 3 garlic cloves minced
• - 1 teaspoon ginger minced
• - 2 tablespoon neutral oil e.g., canola or avocado

Instructions

 

• Marinate the beef: In a bowl, mix sliced beef with soy sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Let it rest for 15–30 minutes.
• Make the sauce: Combine all sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth.
• Blanch the broccoli in boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.
• Heat a wok or skillet over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil. Stir-fry beef in batches until browned. Set aside.
• In the same pan, add remaining oil, garlic, and ginger. Stir-fry until fragrant.
• Return beef to the pan, add broccoli, then pour in the sauce. Stir until sauce thickens and coats everything, about 2–3 minutes.
• Serve immediately.

Notes

What to Serve With Beef and Broccoli
- Steamed jasmine or basmati rice
- Lo mein or rice noodles
- Cauliflower rice for a low-carb twist
- Chili crisp or Chinese black vinegar on the side for extra zing
Recipe Tips
- Flank steak works best, but sirloin is great too.
- Don’t skip the blanch and shock step for vibrant green broccoli.
- If you're making ahead, store sauce and components separately and combine right before reheating.
Cultural Context
While 西兰花牛肉 isn’t a traditional Chinese dish, it’s a product of cultural fusion — Chinese technique meets American ingredients. It reflects the adaptability and creativity of Chinese-American cooking, which turned humble ingredients into iconic comfort food.

Keyword beef and broccoli, 西兰花牛肉, Chinese beef stir fry, broccoli beef, takeout beef and broccoli, easy Asian dinner

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🌏 Cultural Context

While 西兰花牛肉 isn’t a traditional Chinese dish, it’s a product of cultural fusion — Chinese technique meets American ingredients. It reflects the adaptability and creativity of Chinese-American cooking, which turned humble ingredients into iconic comfort food.