Juicy beef, tender broccoli, and a savory sauce make this Panda Express beef and broccoli copycat recipe a family favorite. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Serve this delicious dish with white rice and enjoy your favorite Chinese food at home for a fraction of the cost!
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An Easy Dinner for Busy Nights
Every time I order takeout from my favorite Chinese restaurant, beef and broccoli is one menu item my family agrees on. The tender beef strips, crisp broccoli, and savory sauce are pure perfection. No wonder it's a super popular Chinese-American dish.
Because we live so far from town, I wanted to create a copycat recipe that tasted just as good, if not better, than the one at Panda Express. I was surprised at how tender and flavorful the beef is. It's not tough or chewy at all. You'll also love…
- How quickly it comes together-on the table in just 30 minutes.
- The simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your kitchen.
- The rich, savory flavor that rivals your favorite takeout spot.
Panda Express Beef and Broccoli Ingredients
*A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.*
- Steak. Flank steak is perfect as it is lean and becomes very tender when cooked quickly. You can also use skirt steak or sirloin steak. Just remove any large chunks of fat first.
- Broccoli. Fresh broccoli has the best flavor. It needs to be cooked first so it doesn't get soggy. I steamed mine, but you could also use this broccoli recipe to cook it in the air fryer.
- Avocado Oil: This is used to stir-fry the beef and broccoli. You can also use extra virgin olive oil, canola oil, or peanut oil.
- Soy Sauce. I used dark soy sauce, but you can use regular or low-sodium soy sauce too.
- Hoisin Sauce.
- Brown Sugar.
- Garlic.
- Ginger.
- Rice Vinegar.
- Cornstarch and Water.
How to Make Panda Express Beef and Broccoli
For step-by-step instructions with detailed measurements, jump to the recipe card.
- CUT the Meat: Cut the steak into very thin slices, going against the grain of the meat so it is tender and easy to chew. Cut the meat slightly frozen - this makes it easier to cut thinly.
- MARINATE the Beef: Combine soy sauce and cornstarch in a bowl or Ziploc bag. Add the sliced flank steak and toss to coat the beef evenly. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- PREPARE the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, the second amount of cornstarch, and water. Set aside.
- COOK the Broccoli: Bring water to a boil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli florets in a single layer and cover the pan, allowing the broccoli to steam for about 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp. Remove the broccoli from the pan and set aside. Use a steaming basket or tray if you have one.
- COOK the Beef: Heat avocado oil over high heat in the same wok or skillet. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated beef in a single layer. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the beef is browned and cooked through.
- COMBINE and Cook: Lower the heat to medium and pour the prepared sauce into the skillet or wok. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. Return the steamed broccoli to the pan, tossing everything together to coat well with the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes to heat everything through.
- SERVE: Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles, and garnish with sesame seeds or green onions. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Beef and Broccoli
No-Stick Tips: If you have a carbon steel or stainless steel wok, it will need to be seasoned so the food doesn't stick. Follow this guide on how to do it. You can also use a non-stick pan.
Slice the Beef Thinly: Cutting the beef against the grain into thin slices helps it cook quickly and stay tender.
Fresh Broccoli: Fresh broccoli florets work best for this recipe. Frozen broccoli can become mushy when stir-fried.
High Heat: Stir-frying on high heat ensures that the beef cooks quickly without getting overcooked. You just want to do a quick sear on the outside to brown it up.
Make Ahead and Storage
Make Ahead: You can slice the beef and prepare the sauce ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge until you're ready to cook.
Storage: Store leftover broccoli beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use tender cuts like sirloin, ribeye, and even filet mignon.
Absolutely! Bell peppers, snap peas, green beans, and julienned carrots would be delicious!
More Easy Recipes You'll Love
- Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry
- Food Court Bourbon Chicken
- Grilled Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick
- Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
- Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
- Spring Rolls with Shrimp
- Peanut Hoisin Sauce
Did you make this Panda Express broccoli beef recipe? If you did, can you do me a big favor and leave a rating and review letting me know how you liked it? This helps my website grow so I can continue to publish free recipes. Thank you! 😊
Printable Recipe
Panda Express Beef and Broccoli (Copycat Recipe)
Ingredients
For the Beef:
- 1 pound flank steak thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
For the Sauce:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 4 large garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
For the Broccoli:
- 6 cups broccoli florets
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Marinate the Beef: Combine the soy sauce and cornstarch in a bowl or Ziploc bag. Add the flank steak and toss to coat the beef evenly. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and the second amount of cornstarch and water. Set aside.
- Steam the Broccoli: Bring the water to a boil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli florets and cover the pan, allowing the broccoli to steam for about 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp. Remove the broccoli from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the Beef: Heat the avocado oil over high heat in the same wok or skillet. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated beef in a single layer. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the beef is browned and cooked through. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside.
- Combine Everything: Lower the heat to medium and pour the prepared sauce into the skillet or wok. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. Return the cooked beef and steamed broccoli to the pan, tossing everything together to coat with the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes to heat everything through.
- Serve: Serve your homemade beef and broccoli over steamed rice or noodles, and garnish with sesame seeds or sliced green onions. Enjoy!
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Notes
- Slice the Beef Thinly: Thin slices ensure tender meat.
- Steam the Broccoli Just Right: Tender-crisp broccoli retains its bright color and nutritional value and won't be soggy.
- Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the beef in batches if necessary to avoid steaming.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jessica Morey says
So easy and delicious, I will be making this again. I even used broccoli out of my garden!
Jeri Walker says
Thanks Jessica! I'm so glad you liked it! It would be so delicious with garden broccoli - yum! 🙂
Claudia says
Just whipped up some Panda Express Beef and Broccoli at home! Super easy and delicious – perfect for a quick dinner. The beef is tender, and the broccoli adds a nice crunch.
Jacqueline Debono says
The sauce in this beef and broccoli recipe is so so good! The whole dish is delicious! Will be making it often!
Jeri Walker says
Thanks Jacqueline! I'm glad you liked it! 🙂
Erin says
This beef and broccoli was SO good! And easy to make, too. Thanks so much!
Jeri Walker says
Thanks, Erin! I'm glad you liked it! 🙂
Adriana says
This is one of my favorite meals. I’m so glad I followed your recipe. Now I can make it at home.
Alexandra says
I was pleased with how fast this recipe came together! Simple and tasty - the sauce is so good. We serve with steamed rice and it made a tasty meal.