Healthy Beef and Broccoli Recipe

This healthy beef and broccoli recipe is better than takeout! It’s quick and easy to prepare, and combines flavorful seared steak with crisp tender broccoli. Serve alone or over rice or noodles.

Skip the takeout! This healthy beef and broccoli recipe is faster, fresher, and just as flavorful. I’m all about recreating restaurant favorites at home, like my Santa Fe Salad and Healthy Burger Bowl, but with simple, wholesome ingredients.

As a busy mom of two, I’m always on the hunt for dinners the whole family will devour, and this one’s a winner. Tender beef, crisp broccoli, and a perfectly balanced sauce that’s the perfect balance of savory and sweet. And best of all, it’s a one-pan meal!

Because this cooks up in under 30 minutes, it’s great for weeknights. Serve it over steamed rice for a classic beef and broccoli stir fry, or toss cooked noodles in the pan just at the end for a hearty meal!

And best of all, it’s a one-pan meal! I love when I only have one skillet to clean. With prep work, the whole thing comes together in just 30 minutes. It also fits a variety of needs. Serve it over cauliflower rice for a paleo beef and broccoli recipe!

Ingredients Notes

• Beef: For tender, flavorful slices, go with sirloin, skirt, or flank steak. Slice thinly against the grain for the best texture.
• Oil: Avocado oil is my go-to for stir fries. It’s neutral in flavor and has a high smoke point, so it won’t burn while searing the beef.
• Broccoli florets: Cut into evenly sized pieces so they cook quickly and stay crisp-tender.
• Green onions: Add a pop of fresh flavor and color. Use only the green tops for this recipe.
• Sesame seeds: A simple garnish that adds crunch and visual appeal. You’ll find them in the spice aisle.

• Coconut aminos: A naturally gluten-free, soy-free sauce made from fermented coconut sap. It’s slightly sweeter than soy sauce and full of umami flavor.
• Toasted sesame oil: Use 100% pure toasted sesame oil for the rich, nutty depth it adds at the end of cooking.
• Red Boat fish sauce: A clean, high-quality fish sauce that enhances savory notes and balances sweetness.
• Arrowroot flour: A gluten-free thickener that gives the sauce a glossy finish. Cornstarch works too.

See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions

• Coconut aminos – Coconut aminos is a delicious alternative to soy sauce that is gluten free and soy free. It’s made from the sap of the coconut palm. You can swap this for soy sauce, however, soy sauce has about 60-70% more sodium than coconut aminos. Because of this, it’s best to use 3 tablespoons soy sauce + 2 tablespoons water in place of the coconut aminos. For other alternatives to coconut aminos, check out these coconut aminos substitutes.
• Toasted sesame oil – Use olive oil instead.
• Arrowroot flour – You can swap this for tapioca flour or cornstarch.
• Garlic – Swap out the fresh garlic for 1/4 tsp garlic powder.
• Ginger – Swap out the freshly grated ginger for 1/4 tsp ground ginger.

How to Make Healthy Beef and Broccoli

It’s so easy to make a healthy meal with this recipe! Just prep your beef, cook the broccoli and steak, and toss it in the sauce! Here’s how to make it:

1. Prep: Thinly slice the beef into bite-sized strips, about ¼ inch thick (see tip).
2. Cook the Broccoli: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the broccoli florets, 1/4 cup water, and a pinch of sea salt. Cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the broccoli is bright green and slightly tender. Remove from the pan and set aside. 
3. Make the Sauce: While the broccoli is cooking, whisk together all of the ingredients for the sauce. Set aside.
4. Brown the Beef: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet. Season the steak with the salt and pepper. When the oil is hot, add the steak slices to the pan in a single layer and cook until browned, about 2 minutes each side. Cook the beef in two batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Add more oil when doing a second batch.
5. Combine: Once the steak is cooked, add all of the steak pieces back to the pan and reduce the heat to medium-low. Pour the sauce into the pan, stir, and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Once the sauce has thickened, add the broccoli and green onion to the pan and toss to combine. Cook for another minute.
6. Serve: Serve with a sprinkle of sesame seeds over rice or cauliflower rice.

What’s the best beef to use for a stir-fry?

Most tender cuts of beef, including flank, skirt, and sirloin, are best for stir fry recipes. When stir frying steak, thinly slice the steak against the grain into strips that are about 1/4 inch thick. If you have a steak that’s on the larger side, you can cut the strips at an angle, or cut longer strips and then cut them in half. Ideally, you want the strips of beef for stir fry to be about 3 inches in length.

Searing the Steak

For the perfect golden color, make sure your pan is hot before adding the beef. When you place the beef in, you should hear a sizzling sound. Sear the beef in one layer without disturbing it for about 2 minutes, and then flip to the other side. Stay close—you want the golden color to appear, and then get it out of the pan.

I highly recommend cooking the beef in two batches. This will cut down on cooking time and allow the beef to get a nice sear without overcooking it. From my experience, this is best done in a stainless steel pan.

Cooking Tips

• Choose the right cut of steak. Skirt, flank, or sirloin steak work best for quick skillet cooking and pair beautifully with broccoli.
• Slice the steak thinly. For easier slicing, freeze thawed steak for 30 minutes just before cutting. Aim for strips about 3 inches long.
• Get the pan hot. Preheat your skillet before adding beef for a golden sear. Cook in a single layer for 2 minutes without stirring, then flip.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan. Even in a 12-inch skillet, cook the beef in two batches for the best texture.
• Use dried spices. If you don’t have fresh garlic or ginger, use ¼ teaspoon garlic powder and ¼ tsp ground ginger instead.

Recipe FAQs

Storage and Reheating

TO STORE: Store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight storage container for up to 5 days.

TO FREEZE: To freeze, let the mixture come to room temperature, then place it in an airtight storage container or freezer safe zip-top storage bag. It will keep in the freezer up to three months. Let it defrost in the refrigerator before reheating.

TO REHEAT: For the best texture, I recommend reheating in the skillet with a little oil over medium heat until warm. You can also reheat it in the microwave in 15-20 second intervals until warm.

Paleo Beef and Broccoli

This recipe is both paleo and low carb. If you have a different fish sauce other than Red Boat fish sauce, check the ingredients to make sure there are no sugars or other additives. When serving, skip the rice and serve it alone or over cauliflower rice.

Other Recipes You’ll Love

• Healthy Baked Orange Chicken
• Healthy Sloppy Joes
• Mini Meatloaf Recipe
• Zucchini Ground Beef Casserole
• Crispy Oven Baked Tacos