Cantonese Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

A familiar Cantonese-style restaurant stir-fry, beef and broccoli is all about tender slices of meat, crisp green vegetables and a glossy savoury sauce that clings rather than pools. The beef is briefly velveted with cornflour, soy and Shaoxing wine, helping it stay supple during fast, high-heat cooking, while the broccoli is steamed first so it reaches the wok bright and just tender. Oyster sauce, light soy, ginger and garlic give the dish its recognisable umami depth, finished with a little toasted sesame oil for aroma. Served straight away with jasmine rice, it makes a practical dinner with the polished feel of a good takeaway-style classic.
Cuisine style Cantonese-style Chinese home cooking
Flavor profile Savoury • Umami-rich • Aromatic
Techniques Velveting • Steaming • High-heat stir-frying
Key equipment Wok or large frying pan
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Tender beef: A short cornflour, soy and Shaoxing marinade helps the thin beef slices stay tender during fast, high-heat cooking.
  • Glossy savoury sauce: Oyster sauce, light soy sauce and Shaoxing wine create depth, while garlic, ginger and sesame oil add aromatic lift.
  • Efficient wok cooking: The broccoli is steamed first, so the final stir-fry only needs a brief toss to finish the beef and coat everything evenly.

Get the most out of this recipe

Timing notes

  • Short marinating time: The beef only needs a brief rest in the marinade; longer is not necessary for this fast stir-fry.
  • Prepare before heating the wok: Have the sauce whisked, the broccoli drained and the aromatics sliced before cooking begins, as the wok stage moves quickly.
  • Serve straight away: This dish is best served immediately, while the sauce is glossy and the broccoli still has a little bite.

Common mistakes

  • Crowding the beef: Spread the beef in a single layer so it sears quickly instead of releasing liquid and stewing.
  • Cooking the beef too long: Remove the beef while it is still slightly pink in places; it finishes cooking when returned with the broccoli and sauce.
  • Forgetting to re-whisk the sauce: Cornflour settles quickly, so give the sauce another whisk just before adding it to the wok for an even, glossy coating.

Ingredient notes

  • Slice across the grain: Cutting the beef very thinly across the grain shortens the muscle fibres and helps the cooked slices feel tender.
  • Shaoxing wine alternatives: Dry sherry is the closest common substitute; avoid very sweet wines, which can make the sauce taste unbalanced.
  • Use the broccoli stems: Thinly sliced stems cook quickly and add good texture, so they do not need to be discarded.

Make-ahead tips

  • Prep components in advance: The broccoli can be cut, the sauce mixed and the garlic and ginger prepared ahead, then kept chilled until cooking.
  • Best cooked to order: For the best texture, stir-fry the beef and combine everything just before serving rather than fully assembling in advance.
  • Reheat gently but thoroughly: Warm leftovers in a hot wok or large frying pan with a splash of water until piping hot; expect the broccoli to soften slightly.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Rinse the jasmine rice until the water runs mostly clear, then cook it with fresh water according to the packet until tender. Cover and keep warm off the heat.
  2. Cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets and slice the stems thinly. Steam for 3 to 4 minutes until bright green and just tender, then drain well.
  3. Slice the beef steak very thinly across the grain. In a bowl, toss the beef with 1 tbsp cornflour, 1 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing Cooking Wine and a pinch of white pepper, then leave for 10 minutes.
  4. Whisk the remaining cornflour with the water until smooth, then whisk in the oyster sauce, remaining light soy sauce, remaining Shaoxing Cooking Wine, caster sugar and the remaining white pepper. Set the sauce beside the hob so it is ready to pour in quickly.
  5. Peel and finely slice the garlic and ginger root. Heat a wok over high heat until very hot, then add the peanut oil and swirl to coat.
  6. Add the beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 60 to 90 seconds until it has changed colour but is still a little pink in places. Tip the beef out to a plate, leaving any oil behind.
  7. Add the garlic and ginger to the wok and stir-fry for 15 to 30 seconds until fragrant. Return the beef to the wok with the broccoli, give the sauce a quick re-whisk, then pour it in and toss for 1 to 2 minutes until glossy and thickened and the beef is just cooked through.
  8. Turn off the heat and stir in the toasted sesame oil. Serve immediately with the steamed jasmine rice.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • For the most tender result, slice the beef as thinly as you can across the grain; chilling it for 10 minutes first makes it easier to cut cleanly.
  • Keep the wok very hot and cook the beef in a single layer so it sears quickly rather than stewing.
  • If serving anyone who is vulnerable, make sure the beef is cooked through and piping hot before serving.

Substitutions

  • Replace Peanut oil with Vegetable oil for a neutral, high-heat alternative.
  • Replace Shaoxing Cooking Wine with Dry sherry for a similar aroma and sweetness.
  • Replace Broccoli with Broccoli florets for quicker prep and more even cooking.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Cool quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat in a hot wok or large frying pan with a splash of water until piping hot; the broccoli will soften slightly on reheating.

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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 3 servings
  • Total time: 40min (25min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: Chinese
  • Allergens:
    Sesame Soybeans
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