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This single serving Beef and Broccoli recipe is a quick, flavorful stir-fry made with tender beef, crisp broccoli, and a rich, savory sauce. It’s an easy, satisfying meal that comes together in just 30 minutes.
Featured Comment
“Better than takeout! This was so easy and delicious…”
– Jane
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Cooks in about 20 minutes.
- One Pan: Everything cooks in one skillet for easy cleanup.
- Big Flavor: Tender beef and crisp broccoli in a rich, savory sauce.
- Portioned for One: Designed for one or two servings.
What I love about this single serving Beef and Broccoli is how it delivers that rich, restaurant-style flavor with barely any effort.
The beef stays juicy, the broccoli has just the right bite, and the sauce pulls it all together with a perfect balance of savory and slightly sweet.
It’s the kind of meal that feels special, even when you throw it together on a weeknight—and once you make it, I think you’ll keep coming back to it like I do.
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
Looking to change things up? Try one of these simple variations:
- Protein Swap: Use chicken or tofu instead of beef.
- Extra Vegetables: Add mushrooms, carrots, or bell peppers.
- Different Sauce: Stir in a little oyster sauce or hoisin for a new flavor.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use Tamari and double-check all ingredients are gluten-free.
- Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of Sriracha.
How To Make Beef And Broccoli
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, just use a larger skillet and avoid overcrowding so the beef sears properly.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Keep in mind that this recipe is designed for one serving, so leftovers are usually minimal.
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.
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 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.
Loved the beef and broccoli so eat to do i agree to double the sauce as it’s yummyI Ben got my mum on the site
Omg it’s yummy I have enough for lunch tomorrow and now my mum is going to try it
Very good! Doubled the sauce, added some mushrooms and onions and made it with extra beef and broccoli to have leftovers. Definitely will be making again!
The meat was a little bland. I recommend adding some MSG, and some onions!
Love this meal made it for myself once, then the both of us now many a time. We love how you can make the sauce as sticky as you like or runny if you add more water/less time on the heat. The broccoli actually tastes like broccoli when you put it all together doesn’t go to mush like some recipes! Delicious!
I love this recipe and have made it several times. I like to add thinly sliced onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper and matchstick carrots to the broccoli. Double or even triple the sauce recipe if you’re going to do that and be prepared to eat twice (or more). It’s so good that it’s not a trial to eat more than one time. Wonderful!
Better than takeout! This was so easy and delicious. The fresh ginger and garlic added a touch of spice. I prepped all the ingredients and made the sauce. Started my rice and began cooking. 20 minutes later I was dishing it up. I added 2 sliced green onions. Next time I will add carrots, mushrooms and maybe snow peas. This has such a versatile sauce – much better than the bottled ones
Thank you so much! I’m so happy you enjoyed it.
Loved it! Will double sauce next time,. Very happy to have these single servings—-thanks so much Joanie!!l
I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Made this deliscous dish for dinner last night. It was so GOOD, I’m making it again tonight!
Terrific recipe.
Thank you!