Craving a restaurant-quality meal that's both delicious and quick to prepare? Get ready to transform your dinner routine with this mouthwatering Light Orange Beef and Broccoli recipe that will make your taste buds dance! In just 35 minutes, you'll create a Chinese-inspired dish that's bursting with zesty orange flavor, tender beef, and crisp broccoli - proving that healthy, homemade meals can be just as exciting as takeout.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Chinese
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef, sliced thinly
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by thinly slicing beef against the grain into 1/4-inch strips. Ensure broccoli florets are cut into uniform bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together orange juice, soy sauce, and cornstarch until smooth. This will create the sauce base for the dish and help thicken the final sauce.
- Season beef slices with salt and pepper. Let the meat sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to absorb seasonings and ensure more even cooking.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Add beef slices to the hot pan in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is browned and almost cooked through.
- Push beef to one side of the pan and add broccoli florets. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until broccoli is bright green and slightly tender but still crisp.
- Pour orange juice mixture over beef and broccoli. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats ingredients evenly.
- Remove from heat and let sit for 1 minute to allow sauce to further set. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
- Serve hot over steamed rice or cauliflower rice for a lighter option. Garnish with sesame seeds or green onions if desired.
Tips
- Slice Beef Precisely: Always slice beef against the grain and as uniformly as possible to ensure tender, even cooking.
- High Heat is Key: Use a wok or large skillet on medium-high heat to achieve that perfect restaurant-style sear on your beef.
- Don't Overcook Broccoli: Keep broccoli bright green and crisp-tender by stir-frying quickly. Overcooked broccoli loses its nutrition and appealing texture.
- Cornstarch Trick: Whisk cornstarch thoroughly into the sauce to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, glossy coating.
- Room Temperature Meat: Let beef sit at room temperature before cooking to promote more even cooking and better browning.
- Prep Ahead: Slice beef and chop broccoli in advance to make the actual cooking process faster and more streamlined.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 366kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: 29g
Fat: 23g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 80mg
