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
• 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

1. Marinate the beef: In a bowl, mix sliced beef with soy sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Let it rest for 15–30 minutes.
2. Make the sauce: Combine all sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth.
3. Blanch the broccoli in boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.
4. Heat a wok or skillet over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil. Stir-fry beef in batches until browned. Set aside.
5. In the same pan, add remaining oil, garlic, and ginger. Stir-fry until fragrant.
6. Return beef to the pan, add broccoli, then pour in the sauce. Stir until sauce thickens and coats everything, about 2–3 minutes.
7. 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.