Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Cuisine: Chinese Type: Entree AKA: Jiānguō Niúròu
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Representative image. Recipe yield may differ
Amounts
Ingredient
Amount (g)
Beef
1 pound (453.592)
Broccoli
2 heads (800)
Soy Sauce
3 tablespoons (45)
Oyster Sauce
2 tablespoons (30)
Sesame Oil
1 tablespoon (15)
Garlic
3 cloves (15)
Ginger
1 tablespoon (6)
Cornstarch
1 tablespoon (8)
Vegetable Oil
2 tablespoons (30)
Salt
1 teaspoon (6)
Sugar
1 teaspoon (4)
Water
1 cup (240)
Totals
58 oz
(1,653 g)
Calories
Ingredient
Calories (kcal)
Beef
250
Broccoli
50
Soy Sauce
20
Oyster Sauce
30
Garlic
10
Ginger
5
Cornstarch
15
Vegetable Oil
100
Water
0
Salt
0
Sugar
0
Totals
480 kcal
Steps
1. Prepare the beef by slicing it into thin strips. You can use flank steak or sirloin for this dish.
2. Marinate the beef strips with soy sauce, cornstarch, and a pinch of black pepper. Let it sit for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
3. While the beef is marinating, prepare the broccoli by cutting it into small florets. You can also peel and slice the broccoli stems into thin pieces.
4. Heat a wok or a large skillet over high heat. Add some cooking oil and swirl it around to coat the surface.
5. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated beef strips to the wok. Stir-fry the beef for about 2-3 minutes until it turns brown and is cooked through. Remove the beef from the wok and set it aside.
6. In the same wok, add a bit more oil if needed, and then add the broccoli florets and stems. Stir-fry the broccoli for about 3-4 minutes until it becomes bright green and slightly tender.
7. Return the cooked beef to the wok with the broccoli. Stir everything together to combine.
8. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and a pinch of sugar. Pour this sauce mixture over the beef and broccoli in the wok.
9. Continue stir-frying for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce coats the beef and broccoli evenly and thickens slightly.
10. Taste the stir-fry and adjust the seasoning if needed, by adding more soy sauce or salt.
11. Remove the wok from heat and transfer the beef and broccoli stir-fry to a serving dish.
12. Serve the dish hot with steamed rice or noodles. Optionally, you can garnish it with some sesame seeds or sliced green onions for added flavor and presentation. Enjoy your homemade Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry!
Substitutions
Substitutions/Alterations for Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry (Jiānguō Niúròu):
1. Beef:
- Substitute with chicken, pork, or tofu.
- Adjust cooking time accordingly as these alternatives may require less time to cook compared to beef.
2. Broccoli:
- Substitute with cauliflower, bok choy, or snap peas.
- Adjust cooking time as needed, as some alternatives may cook faster or slower than broccoli.
3. Soy Sauce:
- Substitute with tamari sauce or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option.
- Use the same quantity as mentioned in the original recipe.
4. Oyster Sauce:
- Substitute with hoisin sauce or black bean sauce.
- Adjust quantity to taste, as these alternatives may have a different flavor profile.
5. Garlic:
- Substitute with garlic powder or granulated garlic.
- Use half the quantity of fresh garlic mentioned in the recipe.
6. Ginger:
- Substitute with ground ginger or ginger paste.
- Use half the quantity of fresh ginger mentioned in the recipe.
7. Sesame Oil:
- Substitute with vegetable oil or olive oil.
- Use the same quantity as mentioned in the original recipe.
8. Cornstarch:
- Substitute with arrowroot powder or potato starch.
- Use the same quantity as mentioned in the original recipe.
9. Rice Wine or Sherry:
- Substitute with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.
- Use the same quantity as mentioned in the original recipe.
10. Sugar:
- Substitute with honey or maple syrup.
- Adjust quantity to taste, as these alternatives may have a different level of sweetness.
Note: Adjustments in cooking time and seasoning may be required when using alternative ingredients.
Pairings
- Steamed white rice
- Egg fried rice
- Chow mein noodles
- Hot and sour soup
- Wonton soup
- Spring rolls
- Sweet and sour chicken
- General Tso's chicken
- Kung Pao shrimp
- Mongolian beef
- Mapo tofu
- Szechuan-style green beans
- Chinese dumplings
- Crab Rangoon
- Vegetable lo mein
- Sesame chicken
- Orange chicken
- Moo shu pork
- Honey walnut shrimp
Upgrades
Enhancements for Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry (Jiānguō Niúròu):
1. Improve presentation:
- Garnish with thinly sliced green onions or sesame seeds for a pop of color.
- Serve the stir-fry in a stylish serving dish or on a bed of steamed jasmine rice for an elegant presentation.
2. Improve texture/flavor profile:
- Marinate the beef in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a touch of honey for extra depth of flavor.
- Add a splash of oyster sauce or a drizzle of sesame oil at the end of cooking to enhance the umami taste.
3. Elevate with luxurious/premium ingredients:
- Use high-quality cuts of beef such as ribeye or tenderloin for a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
- Add a handful of shiitake mushrooms or baby corn for a touch of sophistication and unique flavors.
Remember, these enhancements are optional and can be customized based on personal preferences and dietary restrictions. Enjoy your next-level dining experience!
Diet Restrictions
- Use lean cuts of beef or substitute with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian/vegan option.
- Increase the amount of broccoli or add other vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas for added fiber and nutrients.
- Use a low-sodium soy sauce or tamari to reduce sodium intake.
- Replace cornstarch with arrowroot powder or tapioca starch for a gluten-free option.
- Use a healthier oil like olive oil or avocado oil instead of vegetable oil.
- Reduce or omit the added sugar or use a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup.
- Serve over cauliflower rice or quinoa instead of white rice for a lower-carb option.
- Add fresh herbs like cilantro or basil for added flavor without adding extra calories.
- Adjust the spice level by adding or reducing the amount of chili flakes or hot sauce to suit personal preferences.
- Consider adding garlic or ginger for additional health benefits and flavor.
Healthy Choices
1. Choose lean cuts of beef, such as sirloin or flank steak, and trim off visible fat before cooking.
2. Use a minimal amount of oil (such as olive or canola oil) for stir-frying, or try using cooking spray instead.
3. Increase the amount of broccoli to boost the vegetable content and add fiber.
4. Add other colorful vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or snow peas for added nutrients.
5. Opt for low-sodium soy sauce or tamari to reduce sodium intake.
6. Use fresh garlic and ginger for flavor instead of excessive amounts of salt or sauces.
7. Consider reducing the amount of sugar or using a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup instead.
8. Serve the stir-fry over brown rice or whole-grain noodles for added fiber and nutrients.
9. Avoid using MSG or other artificial flavor enhancers.
10. Garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro or green onions for added freshness and flavor.
Shortcuts
1. Use pre-cut beef: Purchase pre-cut beef from the grocery store to save time on slicing and trimming the meat.
2. Opt for frozen broccoli: Instead of fresh broccoli, use frozen broccoli florets to skip the time-consuming step of washing and cutting the vegetable.
3. Marinate in advance: Prepare the beef marinade ahead of time and let the beef marinate in the fridge overnight, allowing the flavors to develop while saving time during meal preparation.
4. Stir-fry in batches: Cook the beef and broccoli separately in smaller batches to ensure quick and even cooking while maintaining the dish's taste.
5. Use a pre-made stir-fry sauce: Instead of making the sauce from scratch, use a pre-made stir-fry sauce available at the store, saving time and effort.
6. Substitute with affordable cuts: Choose cheaper cuts of beef, such as flank steak or sirloin, which are still flavorful but more budget-friendly compared to premium cuts like tenderloin.
7. Bulk up with rice or noodles: To make the dish more filling without using excessive amounts of beef, serve the stir-fry over a bed of rice or noodles, stretching the protein and reducing costs.
8. Add vegetables or tofu: Incorporate additional vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms, or substitute some of the beef with tofu, to reduce the overall meat quantity while adding volume and nutritional value.
9. Skip the cornstarch: If desired, omit the cornstarch slurry used to thicken the sauce, as it won't significantly affect the taste and saves time.
10. Plan for leftovers: Make a larger batch of beef and broccoli stir-fry and save the leftovers for future meals, reducing the need to cook from scratch every time.