This copycat Panda Express Beef and Broccoli recipe is a delicious weeknight dinner that doesn't take long to prepare, but still packs impressive flavor! This beef and broccoli stir-fry is so much more than just something from your favorite Chinese restaurant.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
With simple ingredients and an easy stir-fry technique, this beef and broccoli Panda Express copycat will be one of your go-to recipes in no time! Read on to learn how to make this classic entree that's sure to please even picky eaters.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- How to Make Panda Express Beef Broccoli
- Stir the Cornstarch In
- Serving Suggestions
- Related Recipes
- Substitutions
- Variations
- Equipment
- Storage
- Tips for Success
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Food Safety
- Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
- 📖 Recipe
- Connect with Smells Like Delish!
Ingredients
Use a lean cut of beef that when cooked medium or medium rare is flavorful, such as sirloin, or chuck round steak. This copycat Panda Express beef and broccoli has no onions or carrots, but both could easily be added.
- Broccoli - fresh broccoli crowns.
- Olive oil
- Beef - Sirloin or chuck round.
- Cayenne Pepper - fresh, seeded, and sliced thin. You can use any pepper you prefer, or even none.
- Sesame Seeds - for the stir fry and for garnish.
For the Stir Fry Sauce
- Soy Sauce
- Water
- Sesame Seeds
- Ginger - freshly grated.
- Garlic - fresh and minced.
- Cornstarch
- Coriander - ground.
- Rice vinegar - or Mirin.
- Brown Sugar
How to Make Panda Express Beef Broccoli
In this recipe you will cook the broccoli florets until they are just about half way cooked. They will turn a bright, translucent green and be slightly softened.
The beef will also be pre cooked, but only to get a light sear and browning to it. Make sure you leave it pretty rare so it is still tender when added to the bubbling stir fry sauce.
Prepare the Broccoli and the Beef
- Separate the broccoli crown into small florets. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the wok and saute the broccoli and minced cayenne pepper on medium for 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl for later.
- Trim any excess fat off the beef and slice into strips.
Saute the Beef until Browned, but Rare
- Add beef to the wok with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Spread beef out into a layer and saute until partially cooked, about 2 minutes on medium high heat. The meat should still be a bit rare. Transfer to the bowl of broccoli.
Start the Sauce
- Mix the soy sauce, water, sesame seeds, grated ginger, minced garlic, corn starch, ground coriander, rice vinegar, and brown sugar in a small bowl.
Stir the Cornstarch In
- Make sure to stir the cornstarch in so that there are no lumps. Pour into the wok and heat until bubbling and thickened and smooth.
Finish by Adding the Beef and Broccoli
- Transfer the bowl of partially cooked broccoli florets and beef strips to the wok with heated sauce and mix to blend.
Bring to a quick bubbling and then remove from heat and serve immediately. You can sprinkle some extra sesame seeds on top as garnish also.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this copycat Panda Express Beef Broccoli stir fry with some hot, fresh steamed white rice.
You can start our Steamed White Rice recipe before this stir fry and have both ready for the table in less than 30 minutes!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Related Recipes
Substitutions
You can substitute defrosted frozen broccoli florets instead of fresh broccoli crowns.
Variations
You can use this beef broccoli stir fry recipe to make some delicious variations. Here are some great ideas:
- Beef and Broccoli with Carrots - Slice two medium carrots on an angle and saute them with the broccoli florets. Proceed with the recipe here.
- Hunan Beef and broccoli stir fry - Slice a fresh cayenne pepper in small slices and saute with the broccoli. Follow the Panda Express Beef and Broccoli recipe for the rest.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this Panda Express Beef and Broccoli.
Storage
Store any leftovers from this copycat Panda Express beef and broccoli recipe in the refrigerator in covered containers for up to 3 days.
Tips for Success
- Don't overcook the broccoli and beef, the hot sauce will finish cooking it perfectly if the meat is still fairy rare and broccoli (or any other added vegetables) only half cooked.
- This beef broccoli goes perfectly with rice, noodles, or quinoa, or couscous.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it may be more expensive, but it is the BEST, as it's tender, and flavorful even when cooked longer.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
📖 Recipe
Panda Express Beef and Broccoli
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb broccoli crown only
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb beef round steak, or sirloin steak
- ⅓ cayenne pepper fresh, minced
- sesame seeds additional for garnish, if desired
For the Beef Broccoli Sauce
- 4 tablespoon soy sauce
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon ginger fresh, grated
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon coriander ground
- 2 tablespoon rice vinegar or mirin
- 2 teaspoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Separate the broccoli crown into small florets. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the wok and saute the broccoli and minced cayenne pepper on medium for 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl for later.1 lb broccoli, 2 tablespoon olive oil, ⅓ cayenne pepper
- Slice the beef into thin strips. Add beef to the wok with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Spread beef out into a layer and saute until partially cooked, about 2 minutes on medium high heat. Transfer to the bowl of broccoli.1 lb beef
- mix the soy sauce, water, sesame seeds, grated ginger, minced garlic, corn starch, ground coriander, rice vinegar, and brown sugar in a small bowl and mix until smooth. Pour into the wok and heat until bubbling and thickened.4 tablespoon soy sauce, ⅓ cup water, 1 teaspoon ginger, 1 clove garlic, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon coriander, 2 tablespoon rice vinegar, 2 teaspoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- Transfer the bowl of partially cooked broccoli florets and beef strips to the wok with heated sauce and mix to blend. Bring to a quick bubbling and then remove from heat and serve immediately. You can sprinkle some extra sesame seeds on top as garnish also.sesame seeds
Notes
- Don't overcook the broccoli and beef, the hot sauce will finish cooking it perfectly if the meat is still fairy rare and broccoli (or any other added vegetables) only half cooked.
- This beef broccoli goes perfectly with rice, noodles, or quinoa, or couscous.
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