Panda Express Broccoli Beef Recipe

Panda Express is the eatery of choice for many diners, particularly those who want Asian food without a long wait time. Their broccoli beef is among their most popular dishes, giving customers the ideal savory dish. This recipe features tender steak marinated in tangy rice vinegar. The beef is added to perfectly steamed broccoli and topped with a delicate sauce infused with ginger and garlic. This main dish is hearty enough to fill you up but light enough to feel healthy. 

Now, you can create your own Asian feast with our Panda Express Broccoli Beef Recipe. We’ve included all the tasty umami flavors of Panda Express for a fraction of the cost. Whether you’re looking to avoid the takeout line or simply eat healthier, this recipe is bound to hit the spot. Feel free to double the sauce or add extra veggies if desired. Serve it on its own or over a bed of tender rice or crisp noodles. Make this recipe your own for a meal the entire family will run to the table for! 

The History of Broccoli Beef

Broccoli beef is served in many American Chinese restaurants, where many believe it’s an authentic Chinese dish. Surprisingly, broccoli beef is more of a Western tradition, as broccoli isn’t used in many traditional Chinese dishes. You’re likelier to find kale or kohlrabi featured in Asian dishes. Broccoli beef is inspired by Cantonese cooking methods, which often include steamed veggies, thin slices of meat, and a delicately flavored sauce. 

No one knows for sure when broccoli beef originated, but historians believe the dish found its roots in 1920s San Francisco when Chinese immigrants were finding new ways to make stir-fry. Broccoli and beef is the most popular combination, but many home chefs will substitute the base ingredients for whatever’s on hand. Shrimp, chicken, stir-fry mix, and even ground pork are common substitutions. Some even choose to go meatless, including marinated tofu! This dish is a beautiful example of what happens when you combine new ideas with tried-and-true cooking methods. 

Cost to Make Our Panda Express Broccoli Beef Recipe

A small serving of Panda Express Broccoli Beef will cost you over $5. That doesn’t include rice, noodles, or a drink! In contrast, you can make a family-sized batch of our Panda Express Broccoli Beef Recipe for just $13.64. Considering this recipe serves at least 4, generously, that breaks down to a little over $3 per serving..including rice!

Keep in mind that this total can differ based on where you’re located and the ingredients at your disposal. Here’s how that breaks down: 

• Oyster sauce: $0.30
• Brown sugar: $0.04
• Soy sauce: $0.10
• Cornstarch: $0.05
• Sesame oil: $0.10
• Red chili flakes: $0.05
• Flank steak: $10.00
• Rice vinegar: $0.10
• Broccoli florets: $2.50
• Garlic: $0.05
• Ginger: $0.10
• Cooked rice: $0.25

Grand Total: $13.64

How to Make Panda Express Broccoli Beef

Keep reading to learn how to make our delicious Panda Express Broccoli Beef Recipe. 

Step One: Make the Broccoli Beef Sauce

Combine the oyster sauce, water, brown sugar, soy sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, and red chili flakes in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside. 

Step Two: Marinate the Beef

Slice the beef into small pieces and place in a separate bowl. Add the cornstarch and rice vinegar. Stir to combine, then let marinate for at least 15 minutes. 

Step Three: Steam the Broccoli

While the beef marinates, place the water and broccoli in a large saucepan or wok set over medium-low heat. Cover and bring to a boil. Let simmer for about 5 minutes or until the broccoli is tender. Add the minced garlic and ginger and let cook until fragrant. 

Step Four: Add Beef

Add the marinated beef to the saucepan and let it cook until browned. This should take about 5 minutes. Once the meat is cooked, add the finishing sauce and let warm for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and serve over rice or stir-fry noodles. Enjoy!

What to Serve With Our Panda Express Broccoli Beef Recipe

You can serve our Panda Express Broccoli Beef Recipe with brown, fried, or white rice. You can also serve it over chow mein or ramen noodles. It can also be eaten on its own as a healthy option. 

Storing Leftover Panda Express Broccoli Beef

You can store leftover Panda Express Broccoli in the fridge for up to four days or freeze it for up to five months. If reheating from frozen, make another batch of finishing sauce to keep the recipe feeling fresh. 

Panda Express Broccoli Beef Recipe

Enjoy takeout without breaking the bank by making our Panda Express Broccoli Beef Recipe. This dish features rich, tender beef accented with crisp broccoli and a silky-smooth sauce. The recipe is infused with zesty ginger, savory garlic, and all the umami flavors of soy and oyster sauce. Serve with rice, noodles, or egg rolls for a delicious treat.

• Mixing Bowl
• Whisk
• Saucepan

Beef and Broccoli Sauce

• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• ½ teaspoon red chili flakes

Beef and Broccoli

• 1 pound flank steak
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• ¼ cup water
• 1 pound broccoli florets
• 2 teaspoons garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon ginger (minced)
• 1 count cooked rice or stir-fry noodles

1. Combine the oyster sauce, water, brown sugar, soy sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, and red chili flakes in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.

2. Slice the beef into small pieces and place in a separate bowl. Add the cornstarch and rice vinegar. Stir to combine, then let marinate for at least 15 minutes.

3. While the beef marinates, place the water and broccoli in a large saucepan or wok set over medium-low heat. Cover and bring to a boil. Let simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender. Add the minced garlic and ginger and let cook until fragrant.

4. Add the marinated beef to the saucepan and let it cook until browned. This should take about 5 minutes. Once the meat is cooked, add the finishing sauce and let warm for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and serve over rice or stir-fry noodles. Enjoy!

Main Course

Chinese