Beef and Broccoli Recipe

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Posted: Jan 4, 2024

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Coated in a savory Asian-style sauce, this tender beef and broccoli recipe with hints of honey and garlic is an easy, healthy dinner. Sprinkled with crunchy sesame seeds and served over fluffy rice, you’ll love every saucy bite.

Healthy Beef and Broccoli Recipe

Loaded with crisp broccoli in a spicy umami sauce, this hearty beef and broccoli recipe is the best homemade take-out dinner you’ve ever had. Quickly marinated and topped with nutty sesame seeds, you won’t believe it’s ready in less than half an hour.

With strips of tender steak perfectly browned in coconut oil, this easy dinner is also packed with protein. Plus, the whisked sauce with coconut aminos for savoriness and honey for sweetness means it’s fresh and healthy. To up the Asian flair, there’s lots of garlic and ginger added too.

Served on its own or with leftover rice, all this broccoli beef needs is a sprinkle of crunchy green onions for that restaurant-look you love. Kept simple or dressed up with cashews, you’ll be welcoming it to your weeknight menu in no time.

Why You’ll Love This Paleo Beef and Broccoli

Even if you’re not a pro-cook, you’ll choose making this over ordering in any day once you’ve had a bite.

• Quick. You’ll have a large bowl of broccoli beef on your table in 27 minutes.
• Better than take-out. You know exactly what’s in it and when you made it. Plus, it’s way saucier!
• Healthy. You’re using fresh ingredients and coconut aminos to cut back on the salt. Arrowroot flour also means no processed ingredients.
• Prep-friendly. Marinate the steak overnight and keep the sauce in the fridge so you can just throw everything together for dinner.
• Versatile. Swap the protein, add more veggies, serve it over leftover rice… There are so many possibilities!

What You’ll Need

You get the same flavors from your favorite take-out but with paleo-friendly ingredients. Check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact amounts.

For the Beef

• Flap steak – This is also called “bottom sirloin.” It’s from the same area as flank steak, except it’s closer to the round and shank.
• Coconut aminos – Use low-sodium soy sauce if you’re not a paleo diet.
• Vegetable broth – Beef broth is a good swap. Use low-sodium versions.

Making the Sauce

• Vegetable broth – Beef broth is a good substitute. I prefer low-sodium versions.
• Coconut aminos – This is an aged and fermented savory sauce that comes from the sap of palm trees. The color and flavor are very similar to soy sauce.
• Coconut oil – Feel free to use olive oil.
• Garlic – You can use garlic powder.
• Ginger – Fresh ginger is best, but you can use ground ginger too.
• Arrowroot flour – Cornstarch is a great swap.
• Honey – Don’t use maple syrup or agave nectar because they’re too smokey.
• Coconut oil – Sesame oil works too.

For the Broccoli

• Coconut oil – Feel free to use vegetable, corn, or canola oil.
• Broccoli – Use fresh or frozen.
• Red pepper flakes – Cayenne pepper adds plenty of heat too if that’s what you have on hand.

Topping Ideas

• Sesame seeds – Try to use toasted sesame seeds because their nutty flavor is more intense.
• Green onions – Use the white and green parts.

How to Make Healthy Beef and Broccoli

Marinating the beef and making the sauce in advance will give you a head-start for dinner on any weeknight. Check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for more detailed instructions.

• Marinate it. Place the beef, coconut aminos, and vegetable broth in a medium-bowl. Mix well to combine and let it marinate in the fridge for 15-20 minutes.

• Make the sauce. Whisk the garlic sauce in a large bowl and set it aside.
• Brown the beef. Add half of the coconut oil to a large pan. Place the marinated beef in the pan in a single layer. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove it from the heat and set it aside.

• Add the broccoli. Add the remaining oil to the pan. Add the broccoli and red pepper flakes. Stir well. Add 2 tablespoons of water and cover the pan with the lid for 30 seconds. Remove the lid and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes or until the water has evaporated.
• Mix everything. Return the beef to the pan and pour in the sauce. Toss until the sauce begins to thicken and the ingredients are completely coated.
• Serve. Remove it from the heat and garnish. Serve and enjoy.

Tips for Success

You can improve any paleo beef and broccoli with these simple tips and ingredient swaps or add-ins.

• Swap the protein. Change the beef for chicken or shrimp in this recipe.
• Give it more crunch. Add in 1/4 cup of cashews or chopped water chestnuts for some crunch.
• Blanch the broccoli. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the broccoli for 2-3 minutes. Strain it immediately. It will help the broccoli retain its crispness and color.
• Add more veggies. Bell peppers, baby corn, and mushrooms will add more nutrients and flavor to every bite.
• Prep ahead. Slice the beef, marinate it, and make the sauce in advance so you can just mix everything together right before dinner.

What to Serve with Paleo Beef and Broccoli

This beef and broccoli recipe is the perfect paleo dinner when served over cauliflower rice. If you’re not on any diet, serve it with white rice, brown rice, or my Shrimp Fried Rice leftovers. Another hearty side idea is my Soba Noodle Salad with Shrimp. For veggies, go for my Roasted Bok Choy or Grilled Vegetable Plate.

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

Once fully cooled, refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Keep it away from direct sunlight or heat when on the counter for reheating or serving. To reheat it, pop it into the microwave for up to a minute or until warm. You can also heat it in a pan over medium-low heat for 6-7 minutes.

More Easy Beef Recipes

• Chimichurri Steak with Burnt Carrots and Goat Cheese
• Paleo Skillet Beef Fajitas {gluten free + whole30}
• Mushroom Beef Burgers {Gluten Free}
• Asian Beef Rainbow Salad {paleo + gluten free}
• Farro Beef Mushroom Asparagus Marinara

Beef and Broccoli Recipe

This beef and broccoli recipe with honey, garlic, and red pepper flakes is a spicy, saucy Asian-style dinner that beats take-out any day. 

Print Rate Pin

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time12 minutes mins

Total Time27 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

Steak Marinade:

• 1 1/2 pounds flap steak or hanger steak sliced thin against-the-grain
• 1 tablespoon coconut aminos
• 1 tablespoon vegetable or beef broth

Garlic Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons vegetable or beef broth
• 3 tablespoons coconut aminos
• 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil melted
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 1 teaspoon arrowroot flour
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil melted or sesame oil {sesame oil is not considered paleo}

Broccoli:

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil divided
• 1 head broccoli cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 tablespoon red pepper falkes {optional}

Topping:

• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds optional
• 1 green onion white and green sliced

Instructions

• Place steak, and marinade in a medium bowl, tossing to coat. Set aside. Ideally you want steak to marinade 15-20 minutes.
• In the meantime whisk together garlic sauce and set aside.
• Heat a large heavy skillet over medium and add 1 tablespoons of coconut oil to pan and swirl to coat. Place sirloin in one single layer in skillet and don’t stir. Cook sirloin for about 1-2 minutes until bottom side is brown. Turn, using tongs, and cook until brown on the bottom, about 1-2 minutes. Transfer sirloin to a clean bowl.
• Add remaining 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to skillet, when melted add broccoli and red pepper flakes. Stir continuously for about 1 minute. Add 2 tablespoons of water and quickly cover skillet with lid. Leave lid on skillet for about 30 seconds. Remove lid, and let cook, stirring continuously, until all of the water has evaporated, about 2-3 minutes
• Add sirloin slices and any juices and garlic sauce to pan. Toss until sauce begins to thicken and ingredients are well coated.
• Remove from heat and sprinkle with sesame seeds if using. Serve immediately.

Course: Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: American, Asian

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