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This easy single serving Beef and Broccoli stir-fry is ready in 30 minutes and delivers tender beef, crisp broccoli, and rich takeout-style flavor at home.
Featured Comment
“Better than takeout! This was so easy and delicious.”
– Jane
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in about 30 minutes, making it a great choice for a fast weeknight meal.
- Takeout Flavor at Home: Tender beef and crisp broccoli coated in a rich, garlicky sauce that tastes just like restaurant-style beef and broccoli.
- One Pan Meal: Everything cooks in one skillet, keeping cleanup simple.
- Perfectly Portioned: Made for one (or two) servings so you can enjoy a fresh meal without leftovers.
- Customizable: Add extra vegetables, adjust the spice, or swap in chicken or tofu for a different twist.
What I love most about this single serving Beef and Broccoli is how it gives you that classic takeout taste without ever leaving your kitchen. The beef cooks up tender, the broccoli stays crisp, and the sauce is rich and perfectly balanced with savory and slightly sweet notes.
It’s one of those quick, satisfying meals that always hits the spot, especially when you’re craving something flavorful and homemade. Once you make it, you’ll see just how easy it is to bring those bold, restaurant-style flavors to your table anytime.
Try more single serving Asian-inspired dishes like kung pao chicken for one, single serving pepper steak, single serving Mongolian beef, and small batch shrimp fried rice.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this single serving beef and broccoli recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Fresh Ginger: Adds warm, spicy flavor. If needed, use 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger instead. Try any extra in single serving chicken tikka masala, Thai shrimp soup for one, or a green smoothie.
- Garlic: Builds aroma and flavor. Use 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder if fresh isn’t available.
- Soy Sauce: Brings salty, umami depth. I use low-sodium to better control salt. Use Tamari for a gluten-free option.
- Flank Steak: Lean and flavorful. Sirloin or chuck steak work too. Leftover steak? Use it in our single serve carne asada recipe or small batch steak fajitas.
- Broccoli Florets: The main vegetable. Add bell peppers or snap peas for more variety. Leftover broccoli? Try it in single serving broccoli salad or in chicken divan for one.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Recipe Variations
Try one of these easy ways to make this Beef and Broccoli recipe your own:
- Protein Swap: Substitute thinly sliced chicken, pork, or tofu for the beef.
- Add More Vegetables: Mix in mushrooms, carrots, or bell peppers for extra color and flavor.
- Change the Sauce: Add a spoonful of oyster sauce or hoisin for a richer, slightly sweeter taste.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use Tamari instead of soy sauce and confirm all ingredients are gluten-free.
- Spicy Version: Sprinkle in red pepper flakes or stir in a small amount of Sriracha for heat.
How To Make Beef And Broccoli For One
These photos and instructions help you visualize how to make this easy beef and broccoli recipe. See the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Slice the Beef: Freeze the steak for 20 minutes to make slicing easier. Cut into 1/4-inch strips and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix ginger, garlic, soy sauce, water, brown sugar, cornstarch, and pepper. Stir and set aside.
- Cook the Broccoli: Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add broccoli, cover, and cook for 4–5 minutes, turning occasionally, until crisp-tender. Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.
- Cook the Beef: Increase heat to medium-high. Add remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil. Once hot, add beef in a single layer and cook 1–2 minutes per side, until cooked through.
- Add Sauce: Pour in the sauce, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 2–3 minutes until thickened. Add a tablespoon or two of water if the sauce is too thick.
- Combine: Return broccoli to the skillet and stir to coat everything in the sauce.
- Serve: Spoon over cooked rice and enjoy.
Expert Tips
- Read First: Review the full recipe and ingredient notes before starting.
- Prep Ahead: Chop all ingredients and have them ready before cooking.
- Slice Properly: Cut beef against the grain for tender bites.
- High Heat: Use medium-high heat to get a good sear on the beef.
- Adjust Sauce: If the sauce is too thick, stir in a little more water.
Serving Suggestions
For a complete meal, enjoy this Beef and Broccoli with baked white rice or a single serving of brown rice. Both are easy to prepare and complement the sauce perfectly. You can also serve it with French bread rolls or vegetable fried rice for one for a takeout-style dinner at home. End the meal on a sweet note with a mini lemon cake, or a single serving brownie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lean, quick-cooking cuts like flank steak or sirloin work especially well because they slice thin, cook fast, and stay tender.
No marinating is needed for this recipe. The thin slices of beef cook quickly and absorb plenty of flavor from the sauce during cooking, so you’ll still get tender, flavorful results without the extra step.
Slice the beef thinly across the grain, cook it quickly over high heat, and avoid overcrowding the pan so it sears instead of steaming.
Yes, just use a larger skillet and avoid overcrowding so the beef sears properly.
Let everything cool, store in an airtight container in the fridge, and reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water so the sauce loosens up.
RELATED: 4 Single Serving Meals From 1 Pound Of Ground Beef
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve made this easy beef stir fry recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Please rate the recipe and share your thoughts in the comments below.
Snapped a photo? Tag us on Instagram; we’d be thrilled to see your creation!
Beef And Broccoli For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (6 to 8 ounce) flank steak
For the Stir Fry Sauce
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated ginger -loosely packed
- 1 clove garlic – minced
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
For the Beef and Broccoli
- 1 tablespoon olive oil -divided
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- ½ teaspoon sesame seeds
To Serve
- 1 cup cooked rice (optional)
Instructions
- Slice the Beef: Freeze the steak for 20 minutes to make slicing easier. Cut into 1/4-inch strips and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix ginger, garlic, soy sauce, water, brown sugar, cornstarch, and pepper. Stir and set aside.
- Cook the Broccoli: Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add broccoli, cover, and cook for 4–5 minutes, turning occasionally, until crisp-tender. Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.
- Cook the Beef: Increase heat to medium-high. Add remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil. Once hot, add beef in a single layer and cook 1–2 minutes per side, until cooked through.
- Add Sauce: Pour in the sauce, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 2–3 minutes until thickened. Add a tablespoon or two of water if the sauce is too thick.
- Combine: Return broccoli to the skillet and stir to coat everything in the sauce.
- Serve: Spoon over cooked rice, sprinkle the sesame seeds over the top and enjoy.
Notes
- Read First: Review the full recipe and ingredient notes before starting.
- Prep Ahead: Chop all ingredients and have them ready before cooking.
- Slice Properly: Cut beef against the grain for tender bites.
- High Heat: Use medium-high heat to get a good sear on the beef.
- Adjust Sauce: If the sauce is too thick, stir in a little more water.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
This was absolutely amazing! Needed something relatively quick, because you know, it’s the World Series! Exceeded expectations
Thank you! I’m so happy you enjoyed it.