Delicious Homemade Beef and Broccoli: A Copycat Recipe of Panda Express
If you’re craving Panda Express beef and broccoli, the good news is you can prepare this delightful dish right in the comfort of your own kitchen! This easy, restaurant-worthy recipe is designed to satisfy your taste buds with tender flank steak and crisp broccoli, all tossed in a savory, slightly sweet sauce packed with bold Asian flavors.
What’s even better? You can whip it up in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for those busy weeknights or a cozy, takeout-style dinner at home. I love to serve it with a side of steamed rice and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for that perfect finishing touch.
Why You’ll Love This Panda Express Beef and Broccoli
- Better Than Takeout: This homemade version captures all the beloved flavors of the classic dish while allowing you to control ingredient quality and seasonings.
- Quick Weeknight Winner: With just about 30 minutes from prep to plate, it’s faster than waiting for delivery!
- Foolproof Technique: The simple two-step cooking process guarantees tender, juicy beef and crisp-tender broccoli every time—no more soggy veggies or chewy meat.
- Budget-Friendly Fix: Cook up generous servings of this restaurant favorite at a fraction of the cost of a single order from Panda Express.
Ingredients
- Flank Steak: This lean cut is perfect for stir-frying, yielding tender bites when sliced thinly against the grain.
- Broccoli Florets: These vibrant green veggies bring a satisfying crunch and rich nutrients to the dish.
- Cornstarch: A vital ingredient for tenderizing the beef and thickening the sauce, ensuring a glossy finish.
- Rice Wine: This slightly sweet cooking wine enhances the beef’s flavor while adding depth to the sauce.
- Oyster Sauce: Packed with umami, this savory sauce brings depth and richness to the stir-fry.
- Brown Sugar: A hint of sweetness to balance the other flavors beautifully.
- Soy Sauce: This adds salty and umami notes, rounding out the flavor profile.
- Vegetable and Sesame Oil: Vegetable oil ensures even cooking at high heat, while sesame oil contributes a nutty aroma.
- Garlic and Ginger: These aromatic staples infuse the dish with warmth and the classic Asian flavor profile.
- Sesame Seeds: These little seeds offer a light, nutty garnish that elevates both texture and visual appeal.
How to Make Panda Express Beef and Broccoli
This scrumptious dish is incredibly easy to recreate. Follow these simple steps!
- Marinate the beef: In a bowl or bag, combine the sliced flank steak with cornstarch and rice wine, coating evenly. Let it marinate for 20 minutes to enhance the flavor.
- Blanch the broccoli: Boil the broccoli in a pot of water for 1-2 minutes until brightly colored and slightly tender. Drain and set aside.
- Mix the sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the oyster sauce, water, rice wine, brown sugar, soy sauce, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Cook the beef: Heat vegetable and sesame oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Sear the marinated beef in batches for 1-2 minutes per side until browned. Set aside.
- Sauté the aromatics: Using the same pan, cook the minced garlic and ginger for about 15 seconds until fragrant.
- Combine and thicken: Return the cooked beef to the pan along with the broccoli, pour in the sauce, and stir until thickened and all ingredients are well-coated.
- Finish and serve: Plate your dish, garnish with sesame seeds, and enjoy with steamed rice.
Tips for the Best Panda Express Beef and Broccoli
- Put in the prep work: Make sure all your ingredients are prepped and ready to go, as stir-frying goes quickly!
- Freeze the flank steak: For easier slicing, partially freeze the flank steak for about 15-20 minutes before cutting it into thin, uniform pieces.
- Switch up the meat: If you don’t have flank steak, feel free to use flat iron steak, skirt steak, or sirloin; they all work well and cook similarly.
- Fresh is best: Use freshly minced garlic and ginger for optimal flavor; avoid jarred versions for the best results.
- Don’t have a wok? A large cast-iron skillet is a perfect substitute—just ensure it’s preheated properly to get that nice sear.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan! Cook the beef in batches to allow each piece to sear properly rather than steam.
How to Store
If you find yourself with leftovers, here’s how to keep your beef and broccoli fresh:
To Store: Allow the dish to cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain the best flavor and quality.
To Freeze: Place the cooled beef and broccoli into a freezer-safe container or bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: For best results, reheating on the stovetop over medium heat with a little water or broth works wonders to prevent drying out. Alternatively, you can use the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until it’s heated through.
