This Chinese Beef with Garlic Sauce is a delicious homemade twist on a takeout favorite! Tender strips of beef are paired with steamed broccoli and tossed in a savory, garlicky sauce with a touch of sweetness and a hint of heat.
Recipe Summary
- Ready Fast: About 40 minutes start to finish.
- Tender Beef: Thinly sliced flank steak with a restaurant-style texture.
- Veggie Boost: Plenty of broccoli (swap in your favorites, too!).
- Flavor Packed: Garlicky, savory sauce with a touch of sweetness + heat.
- Perfect Pairing: Serve with rice or noodles for a complete meal.
If you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner that delivers on flavor, this beef in garlic sauce is a must-try! The flavor rivals that of your favorite takeout spot and is sure to be a hit with the whole family. Plus, it’s a simple dish to prepare and will be on the table in about 40 minutes.
For more easy family favorites, check out this Texas toast pizza and this chicken broccoli rice casserole next.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Better than Takeout: Skip the delivery and make this Chinese beef recipe at home instead. It’s fresher, faster, and just as good!
- Customizable: It’s easy to adjust the heat level or change up the vegetables to suit your preferences.
- Family-Friendly: This Chinese beef and garlic sauce is a well-balanced dish with protein and veggies that both kids and adults will enjoy. And if you need more kid-approved dinner ideas, these cheeseburger tacos are sure to be a winner!
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Ingredients
- Flank Steak: Be sure to thinly slice across the grain so the meat cooks quickly and stays tender. I prefer flank steak for this dish, but skirt steak or sirloin will also work well. Try my skirt steak crockpot recipe too!
- Baking Soda: Helps tenderize the beef, giving it a restaurant-style texture.
- Broccoli Florets: You can chop the broccoli yourself or purchase pre-cut florets at the store. Frozen florets also work, but you’ll want to thaw them first and pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce so it coats the beef and broccoli.
- Rice Vinegar: Adds brightness and a touch of tanginess.
- Brown Sugar: Balances the savory and salty flavors with a little sweetness.
- Soy Sauce: Adds saltiness and an umami flavor.
- Oyster Sauce: Adds richness and more umami flavor. If you don’t have any on hand, you can use hoisin sauce instead, but in that case you may want to use a little less sugar. More soy sauce will also work in a pinch.
- Sesame Oil: Provides a nutty aroma and flavor.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a little heat. Feel free to leave out or adjust the amount as desired.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use tamari in place of the soy sauce, and ensure the oyster sauce you are using is gluten-free.
- Try Other Veggies: Use snow peas, bell peppers, carrots, and/or baby corn instead of (or in addition to) the broccoli.
- Make it Spicy: Turn this dish into beef in hot garlic sauce by using more red pepper flakes, adding chopped chili peppers, or mixing in some chili oil.
- Shredded Beef and Garlic Sauce: If you have leftover pot roast or braised beef, shred it and use it in place of the sliced steak. It’s a great way to use up leftovers!
How to Make Beef in Garlic Sauce
To get started making this garlic beef recipe, chop the broccoli and slice the beef.
Step 1: Tenderize the meat. Add the sliced beef to a bowl and toss with the baking soda. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes. Then, rinse the baking soda off the meat and pat it dry. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Make the sauce. While the beef is tenderizing, add the broth, garlic, cornstarch, soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes to a small bowl. Whisk until well combined.
Step 3: Cook the beef. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until browned, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the meat and place it on a plate.
Step 4: Steam the broccoli. Add the broccoli to the skillet with a little water and cover. Steam until tender-crisp, about 2-3 minutes.
Step 5: Combine the beef and broccoli. Add the meat back to the skillet and toss to combine with the broccoli.
Step 6: Mix with the sauce. Add the sauce to the beef and broccoli mixture and cook until thickened, stirring frequently, about 2-4 minutes. Serve topped with green onions and sesame seeds.
Expert Tips
- Don’t skip the baking soda: Flank steak can be tough, but tossing it with baking soda is a quick and effective way to tenderize the meat. It’s actually a trick often used in restaurants.
- Taste and adjust the sauce: You can add more brown sugar for sweetness, more soy sauce for saltiness, or more red pepper flakes for heat.
- Storing and reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve this beef and garlic sauce as part of Asian-inspired dinner with these Asian turkey meatballs for an appetizer. Serve the main course with a side of rice or noodles for the perfect combination.
- Enjoy a refreshing drink with your meal, like this dragon fruit lemonade.
- Finish your meal with a sweet treat like apple butter cookies, chocolate cherry dump cake, or strawberry poke cake.
Recipe FAQs
Simply whisk in a little more broth to thin out the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency.
Yes! You can make the sauce, slice the meat, and chop the broccoli a day in advance. Store each of them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to cook, begin with the tenderizing step and continue with the recipe as written. Just be sure not to tenderize the beef in advance, as leaving the baking soda on too long can affect the texture and flavor.
More Beef Recipes
Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below! You can also write a review in the comment section further down the page I always appreciate your feedback. And don’t forget to tag me @freshcoasteats in your photos on social media, I'd love to see your results!
Beef with Garlic Sauce
Ingredients
Beef & Veggies:
- 12-16 ounce flank steak or similar cut, thinly sliced across the grain
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 3 green onions sliced (use both the green and white parts)
Garlic Sauce:
- ½ cup chicken or beef broth
- 4 garlic cloves finely minced
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
- 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 Tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Toss the sliced beef with baking soda in a bowl and let it rest for 10 minutes to help tenderize the meat.
- Rinse the beef thoroughly with cold water to remove the baking soda, then pat dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Warm the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the beef in batches if needed, cooking 2–3 minutes per side until browned and cooked through, then transfer to a plate.
- In the same pan, add the broccoli and a splash of water to the skillet, cover, and steam for 2–3 minutes until just fork-tender.
- Return the beef to the pan and toss to combine.
- In a small bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients until the mixture is smooth and lump-free.
- Pour the sauce into the skillet and cook, stirring often, for 2-4 minutes or until it thickens and coats the beef and broccoli.
- Remove from heat and garnish with sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- Don’t leave the beef and baking soda tenderizing for too long as this can alter the flavor and texture of the meat.
- If the sauce is too thick after cooking, you can add some broth to thin it out if needed.
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