20-Minute Beef Broccoli Bowl: A Quick and Delicious Meal

Are you hungry for something yummy and fulfilling but only have a bit of time? We’ve got the perfect solution to turn that hunger fluster into a dinner buster! Check out our 20-Minute Beef Broccoli Bowl. It’s packed with juicy, tender beef and fresh, crisp broccoli florets, all smothered in a delicious sauce and sitting on a bed of fluff rice. This dish is a dream come true for anyone looking for a quick meal that’s still bursting with flavor.

Quick Meal Magic: Tender Beef and Broccoli Bowl in Just 20 Minutes

Dealing with tough, chewy beef can be a huge fluster when you’re trying to make a delicious beef broccoli bowl. Instead of enjoying tender bites of beef, you’re left chewing endlessly. It’s frustrating, especially since you put time and effort into cooking a mouth-watering meal. This common hiccup turns a delicious meal into a disaster.

The buster though is surprisingly simple – it’s all about the cut of beef and how you cook it. Choosing a tender cut like sirloin and slicing it against the grain makes it much easier to chew. Plus, quick cooking on high heat ensures your beef stays juicy and tender, not tough. This way, you turn a common cooking fluster into a victory, ensuring every bite is perfectly delicious and tender.

🛒INGREDIENTS

Ingredients for Beef Broccoli Bowl: Your Quick Meal Solution

To create the perfect beef broccoli bowl, all you need are some fresh basics from your kitchen. Think tender beef and crisp broccoli, brought together with a handful of other simple ingredients to create a flavor-packed meal.

• Rice – Long-grain white rice is ideal for beef broccoli bowls because it’s fluffy and soaks up the sauce well, making the dish tasty. If you want something healthier, try brown rice; it’s chewier and full of nutrients.
• Meat – Flank or sirloin steak is best for beef broccoli bowls; they’re flavorful, cook quickly, and get really tender.
• Broccoli – Choose broccoli florets for your dish; they’re the perfect size for easy eating and soak up the sauce nicely, making every bite delicious.
• Seasonings – When making a beef broccoli bowl, each ingredient has a special job. Soy sauce mixes everything together with its salty taste. Chicken stock makes the sauce tastier and more delicious. Honey adds just a little sweetness to balance the savory flavors, while rice vinegar gives a tangy touch that makes the dish pop. Sesame oil adds a nutty flavor, making everything taste even better. Brown sugar also adds a bit of sweetness, making sure the dish isn’t too salty. Garlic brings a sharp flavor that’s important for the dish, and ground ginger adds a cozy spice that goes well with both beef and broccoli. Lastly, red pepper flakes add a gentle spice to make the dish more exciting with every bite.
• Cornstarch is used to thicken the sauce, ensuring that it sticks to the beef and broccoli for maximum flavor.
• Olive Oil is used for cooking the meat and vegetables, ensuring they’re perfectly sautéed and flavorful.

How to Make Perfect Rice

Ever find yourself guessing the water ratio for cooking rice, ending up with a bowl of mushy or undercooked rice? Here’s how to nail the perfect rice every time.

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📃STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Preparing Your Beef Broccoli Bowl: A Quick Meal Guide

Creating a beef broccoli bowl as a quick meal involves a series of simple steps that blend various ingredients, creating a flavorful and colorful dish. From preparing the sauce to cooking the beef and broccoli, each step is designed to quickly create a delicious dish that’s perfect for anyone looking for an easy yet satisfying meal.

1. Cooking the Rice Start by cooking the rice using the “knuckle method” a foolproof way that guarantees perfectly cooked rice every time. Or, you can follow the package directions, which aren’t as foolproof. Tip: A 1/2 cup of dry long grain rice makes 1 cup of cooked rice.
2. Preparing the Sauce In a medium saucepan, combine the soy sauce, stock (chicken or beef for added flavor), honey, vinegar, and sesame oil for a rich base. Add brown sugar for sweetness, minced garlic and ginger for a punch of flavor, and a sprinkle of pepper flakes for a bit of heat. Whisk these ingredients together until well-mixed. Then, bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, which will help meld the flavors together.
3. Thickening the Sauce To thicken the sauce, take a separate small bowl and mix cornstarch with a bit of water until smooth. This mixture is called a slurry. Once your sauce is boiling, slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Keep whisking continuously as the sauce returns to a boil; this prevents any lumps from forming. After it begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and allow it to simmer. You’ll see the sauce start to thicken to a more syrup-like consistency. This step is crucial for getting that signature sticky, thick sauce that coats the beef and broccoli well.
4. Cooking the Beef Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add your pieces of steak. Cook them for about 1-2 minutes, then flip them over to cook for another 1-2 minutes on the other side. You’re looking for a nice sear on the outside while keeping the inside tender. If you prefer your beef more well-done, you might extend this cooking time slightly. Remove the beef once cooked to avoid it from getting too tough.
5. Combining the Beef and Broccoli Once your beef is nicely browned and your broccoli is cooked (you can steam or stir-fry it ahead of time), toss them together with the sauce you’ve prepared. Make sure everything is well coated with the sauce for maximum flavor.
6. Assembling Your Bowl Grab a serving of rice and place it at the bottom of your bowl. This acts as a bed for your beef and broccoli mixture. Spoon the beef and broccoli on top of the rice, making sure to include plenty of the sauce. The rice will soak up some of that delicious sauce, making every bite a perfect combination of flavors and textures.

🔪HELPFUL KITCHEN TOOLS

🍽️HOW TO SERVE

It’s all in the presentation

To serve this quick meal, start by scooping some fluffy rice into a bowl, then top it with the stir-fried beef and broccoli mix, making sure to drizzle over some of the savory sauce. For a personal touch, sprinkle on some sesame seeds or chopped green onions right before serving for extra flavor and a pop of color.

🫙STORAGE TIPS

Keeping it Fresh

Refrigerate – For storing leftover beef broccoli in the refrigerator, you should place it in a shallow airtight container or wrap it tightly with foil or plastic wrap. Beef broccoli will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days while maintaining its taste and safety. Make sure to cool your leftovers to room temperature before refrigerating to prevent bacteria.

Freeze – To properly store your leftover beef broccoli in the freezer, make sure to use a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. It can be kept frozen for 2 to 3 months to maintain the best quality. Remember to label the container with the date, so you know how long it’s been stored.

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5 from 1 vote

Simple 20-Minute Beef Broccoli Bowls

Enjoy a quick and tasty meal with our Beef and Broccoli Bowl, ready in just 20 minutes. It's got juicy beef and fresh broccoli in a yummy sauce, making it a fast and easy favorite. Perfect for when you're hungry and don't want to wait!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time20 minutes mins

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Oriental

Keyword: beef broccoli, quick meal

Servings: 4

Calories: 576kcal

Author: Robin | Fluster Buster

Ingredients

• 2 cups instant rice cooked
• 3/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• pinch red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound flank steak
• 1 head broccoli cut into florets, steamed

Instructions

• Cook rice according to package instructions.
• Bring an inch of water to a boil in a pot, then place cleaned broccoli in a steamer basket over the water. Cover and steam for 5-7 minutes until tender yet crisp. Set aside
• In a saucepan, whisk together soy sauce, stock, honey, vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, ginger and pepper flakes. Bring to a boil.
• In a small bowl whisk together cornstarch and water. Slowly whisk into the boiling sauce. Continue to whisk until it begins to boil. Turn down heat, and simmer until thick.
• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add steak, cook for 1-2 minutes, turn over and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
• Toss the beef and broccoli with the sauce.
• Assemble bowl, rice topped with the beef broccoli mixture.

Notes

Double the sauce ingredients if you prefer a saucier beef broccoli bowl.

*The Nutritional Facts that have been calculated on this recipe are only estimates.

Nutrition

Calories: 576kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 2544mg | Potassium: 568mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 6mg

The 20-minute beef broccoli bowl is a perfect quick meal for anyone who’s busy but still wants to eat something yummy and healthy. We made the beef soft and juicy by slicing it thin and cooking it fast with tasty broccoli. This way, you get a meal that’s full of good flavors and can be made really fast. It proves you don’t need a lot of time to cook a delicious dinner. Whether you’re in a rush or just don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, this beef and broccoli bowl is a great choice for a speedy, tasty food fix.