Ingredients

For the Beef

  • 1½ lb (680 g) lean beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil

For the Broccoli

  • 5 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 2 tablespoons water

For the Sauce

  • ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons beef or chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional

For Garnishing

  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • Fresh cilantro, optional

👩‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Slice the beef:
    Cut the beef thinly against the grain. This helps make it tender and easy to chew.
  2. Marinate:
    Place the beef in a bowl and mix with soy sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, and black pepper. Let it sit for 15–20 minutes.
  3. Prepare the sauce:
    Whisk together soy sauce, broth, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, cornstarch, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.
  4. Cook the broccoli:
    Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli and 2 tablespoons of water. Cover and steam for about 2–3 minutes, until bright green and slightly tender. Remove and set aside.
  5. Sear the beef:
    Add the oil to the hot skillet. Spread the beef out in a single layer and cook in batches if necessary. Sear for approximately 2–3 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through.
  6. Combine everything:
    Return the broccoli to the skillet with the beef. Pour in the prepared sauce and toss everything together.
  7. Thicken the sauce:
    Cook for another 1–2 minutes, stirring continuously, until the sauce becomes glossy and coats the beef and broccoli.
  8. Finish:
    Remove from the heat and sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Add fresh cilantro if desired.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Serve hot over:

  • Steamed cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option
  • Brown rice
  • Quinoa
  • Steamed white rice
  • Shirataki rice or noodles

💡 Lower-Sugar Option

For a more diabetic-friendly version, replace the honey/brown sugar with a small amount of a suitable no-sugar sweetener and use low-sodium soy sauce. Serving it with cauliflower rice instead of regular rice will also substantially reduce the carbohydrate content.

Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 4