15-Minute Healthy Beef and Broccoli (Better Than Takeout!)

Name: 15-Minute Healthy Beef and Broccoli
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil, (divided); 1 1/2 lbs flank steak, (very thinly sliced across the grain); 3 cloves garlic, (minced); 1 shallot, (finely chopped); 4 green onions, (thinly sliced); 4 cups broccoli florets, (about 2 small crowns); 2 tbsp arrowroot starch; 3/4 cup water; 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce; 2 tbsp coconut sugar; 1 tsp fresh ginger, (minced); 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Last Updated On: Nov 18, 2024 · by Lacey Baier · This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission. · 87 Comments

Jump To Recipe!

It’s no surprise this Healthy Beef and Broccoli recipe is a family fave, since it’s easy to make, absolutely delicious, and ready in just 15 minutes! This Beef and Broccoli is great for meal prep, is clean-eating, paleo, and keto-friendly, and is easily altered for GF diets.

It's no surprise this Healthy Beef and Broccoli recipe is a family fave, since it's easy to make, absolutely delicious, and ready in just 30 minutes! This Beef and Broccoli also makes great meal prep, and is easily altered for GF diets.

This Healthy Beef And Broccoli recipe is one of our favorite family meals. And, when I say favorite meals, I mean we probably have it at least every other week. Ooh, and it makes a yummy meal prep lunch, too!

Not only is this delicious, it's also super fast to prepare and healthy, too.

If you liked Beef and Broccoli, then check out my Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe! The rich, slow-cooked flavors make it a great addition to your recipe collection.

While we often have this beef and broccoli just by itself, it's really yummy with some simple steamed brown rice. Serving it with rice is also a great way to make this recipe go further for more servings (hello, budget meal prep!).

If you liked Beef and Broccoli, then check out my Healthy Homemade Chili recipe! The rich, slow-cooked flavors make it a great addition to your recipe collection.

If you enjoyed this Beef and Broccoli recipe, then you'll also enjoy Sheet Pan Beef Kebabs, Healthy General Tso Chicken | Better Than Takeout!, and Healthy Meatloaf | With A Tasty Glaze.

If you’re a fan of my Beef and Broccoli, then my Healthy Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a must-try for a cozy, nutritious twist on a classic favorite!

In This Post You'll Find:

Reasons You'll Love It
Watch Me Make Healthy Beef And Broccoli
Is Beef and Broccoli Healthy?
How To Make Beef And Broccoli
How To Make Beef Tender (Not Chewy)
How To Store
Substitution Ideas
Beef Meal Prep Ideas
15-Minute Healthy Beef and Broccoli
Reviews

Reasons You'll Love It

Great meal in 15 minutes.
Another great meal prep idea.
A healthy take on a favorite takeout.
Fits many different diet preferences.

Watch Me Make Healthy Beef And Broccoli

Is Beef and Broccoli Healthy?

Unfortunately, restaurant-style beef and broccoli tneds to be

very high in sodium
contain added sugars
fried in unhealthy oils

So, instead, let's make a healthier version of Beef and Broccoli:

cook the ingredients in olive oil instead of deep-frying anything (less trans fats)
use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar (less refined sugar)
used low sodium soy sauce instead of regular soy sauce (less sodium)
serve with steamed brown rice, not fried rice (but if you want fried rice that's actually healthy, you could check out this healthy cauliflower fried rice recipe)

For more healthy takeout options, check out my post on 3 Healthier Takeout Options to Make at Home!

Bowl of raw broccoli florets, which will be used in the beef with broccoli.

How To Make Beef And Broccoli

Step 1: Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until well-browned, about 6-8 minutes. Once well-browned, remove from pan and set aside.

Step 2: In the same pan, add garlic, shallot and green onions to the beef drippings. Cook one minute, stirring frequently. Add broccoli and cover for 5 minutes.

Before and after pictures showing how to thinly slice the flank steak for the Healthy Beef And Broccoli Recipe

Step 3: In a small mixing bowl, combine water and arrowroot starch and mix until no longer lumpy. Combine soy sauce, coconut sugar, ginger and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl. Add arrowroot starch mixture and stir to combine. Set aside.

Step 4: Remove cover from pan and add sauce. Cook until sauce starts to thicken, about 3-5 minutes. Add beef and stir to combine, cooking an additional 2-3 minutes.

Image of the cooked flank steak once the beef is browned and cooked through for the healthy beef and broccoli.

Side view of a bowl and whisk and the bowl is filled with the beef and broccoli sauce that will both season and thicken the recipe.

Step 5: Serve over brown rice, if desired.

How To Make Beef Tender (Not Chewy)

I use flank steak because it is very flavorful and full of nutrients without too much fat. Because flank steak can be tough when overcooked, I really pay attention to when the meat is fully cooked through, and then I slice it very thinly across the grain. With any steak you choose for this recipe, however, you'll want to slice it ACROSS the grain.

Why do we do this? Slicing across the grain makes the beef more tender and not chewy. It means you're not eating the entirety of a muscle fiber but instead a bunch of cross-sections. This is the difference between very chewy meat and very tender meat.

Pro Tip: If you pop it in the freezer for 20-ish minutes and allow it to just start to freeze, you will more easily be able to slice the beef into thin slices. This is a technique I use with my Keto Philly Cheesesteak Peppers, too.

Overhead view of a skillet filled with the healthy beef and broccoli, which is fully cooked and ready to serve.

How To Store

This beef and broccoli stores very well in the fridge or freezer, making it a great make-ahead meal for meal prep. If properly stored in an air-tight container (like these meal prep containers), leftover beef with broccoli will last 5-6 days in the refrigerator.

You can also freeze your beef and broccoli to store it for longer. To freeze it, store it in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags (I like these reusable storage bags). You can store beef with broccoli for up to 4-5 months in the freezer.

When ready to enjoy, allow to thaw overnight in the fridge, and then reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat thawed beef and broccoli on the stove in a fry pan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.

One of the Healthier Restaurant Takeout Dishes made at home - Beef with Broccoli in a meal prep container.

Substitution Ideas

The good news is it's very easy to swap out ingredients for this recipe to suit your diet. As written, this recipe complies with clean-eating, paleo, Whole 30, and keto. Here are some common substitutions to help you out for other healthy lifestyles.

Vegan or Vegetarian Substitutions: Replace steak with tofu or mushrooms.
Gluten-Free Substitutions: Replace low-sodium soy sauce with liquid aminos or GF soy sauce.
Red Meat Substitutions: Replace steak with chicken, shrimp, tofu, or mushrooms.