Easy Healthy Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry (Paleo/Whole30)

Flavor-packed healthy beef and broccoli stir fry recipe is made with fresh, whole ingredients, ready in 25 minutes, and is super easy to make. Gluten-free, paleo, and Whole30.

We’ve been making this healthy beef & broccoli stir fry for years and it always hits the spot! Super easy to make, packed with protein and veggies, and has an easy sweet and savory sauce with a little kick that makes the dish. And I know exactly what is going into it, unlike your typical take-out.

Chinese was a staple for us growing up during the cooler months. My mom loves it and once the weather got cold, we would probably get it a couple of times a month, either on the weekend or when she didn’t feel like cooking. I never ordered beef & broccoli though – I was more of a sweet & sour chicken kind of girl (aka chicken nuggets).

But Michael loves beef and broccoli and introduced it to me a while back and I absolutely love making it at home when the craving hits!

Is Chinese beef and broccoli healthy?

Chinese beef and broccoli can be a healthy dish as it is loaded with protein, has veggies and fiber, and healthy fats. Making it at home ensures you know exactly what is going into it, as getting it out it can be loaded with sodium and sugars.

One cup of this healthy beef and broccoli has 217 calories, 18 grams of protein, 13 grams of carbs, 10 grams of fat, and 2 grams of fiber. It is also loaded with vitamin B3, B6, B12, vitamin C, vitamin K, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc.

Does beef and broccoli have carbs?

Yes, this homemade beef and broccoli will have carbs due to the broccoli and coconut aminos. The majority of carbs are coming from the sauce. Coconut aminos are higher in carbohydrates than your typical soy sauce, so to decrease the number of carbs, you can use soy sauce or tamari (gluten-free soy sauce).

Beef and broccoli ingredients

• flank steak
• broccoli
• coconut aminos
• chicken broth
• lime juice
• toasted sesame oil
• fresh garlic
• fresh ginger
• red pepper flakes
• arrowroot flour
• oil
• salt & pepper

How to make  beef & broccoli

1. In a small bowl or jar, make the sauce by combining the coconut aminos, broth, lime juice, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, and pepper. Add two tablespoons of the sauce in another small bowl along with the arrowroot flour and mix well. Set both of them aside.
2. Next, prep your ingredients by slicing the steak into thin strips and the broccoli into florets.
3. Liberally season the sliced steak with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add oil, and let it get hot. Add slices of beef, without overcrowding, and cook 30 seconds per side. Remove from pan and repeat with remaining beef (I had to do this in 3 batches).
4. Leaving the beef juices in the pan, add broccoli. Add 2 tablespoons of the stir-fry sauce (not the one with the arrowroot), mix well, and cover with a lid. Cook for 3-5 minutes until tender. Remove from the pan and set aside (leave behind any juices).
5. Then, add remaining sauce as well as the arrowroot sauce to the pan. Reduce to medium-low and cook until thickened and coats the back of a spoon (nappe consistency), about 2-3 minutes. Add the beef and broccoli back to the pan, leaving behind their juices, and stir to combine and heat through about 1 minute. Be careful not to add the liquid from the beef and broccoli as it will thin the sauce.
6. Serve with cauliflower or white rice, top with optional toppings, and enjoy!

What is the best cut of meat for stir fry?

Using the right kind of beef can make or break your stir fry. I love using flank steak as it is a little leaner, but still has some fat to give it flavor. Sirloin steak and skirt steak are also good choices. Cooking the beef quickly over medium-high heat will give you tender beef.

What is beef and broccoli sauce made of?

Beef and broccoli sauce ingredients consist of coconut aminos, broth, lime juice, sesame oil, fresh ginger and garlic, red pepper flakes, and a little arrowroot flour. They come together to make the perfect sweet and savory sauce with a little bit of spice.

The two main ingredients that you might not be familiar with are coconut aminos and arrowroot flour.

• Coconut aminos are a gluten-free soy sauce substitute that comes from the sap of a coconut tree, giving them a slight sweetness in flavor. This brand is my favorite.
• Arrowroot flour is a gluten-free and grain-free flour that is used as a thickener in some cooking and a flour in baking.

What to serve with beef and broccoli

• white or brown rice
• quinoa
• cauliflower rice
• over noodles (zucchini, pasta…)

Beef & broccoli meal prep

Beef & broccoli makes great for meal prep. If you have a family of 4 or want leftovers, I would suggest doubling the recipe. Michael and I can eat almost the whole recipe it’s that good.

If making it in advance, be careful not to overcook the meat as it will cook some when you are heating it up.

I haven’t tried freezing this, but I think it should work.

Tips for the best beef and broccoli

• Make sure you cut your beef very thin. I suggest popping it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes so it is easier to slice, cutting against the grain, and using a sharp knife. Check out this turtorial! I usually just do 10-15 minutes, but will depend on how thick your meat is.
• Cut your beef and broccoli florets into uniform pieces so they cook evenly.
• Season your beef with salt and pepper to give it some flavor.
• Make sure not to overcrowd the beef when cooking – I do mine in a few batches. It will come back in the pan at the end so keep that in mind as well. No one likes overcooked beef.
• Be careful not to add the beef and broccoli juice back into the pan. While the beef and broccoli are sitting while you make the sauce, they will give off some juice. While there is flavor in there (especially the beef juices), if you add them back to the pan, it will thin the sauce.

Substitutions or additions

• flank steak – sirloin steak or skirt steak can also be used.
• veggies – feel free to add more veggies if you like. This will make it a little less authentic, but onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and carrots would all be great additions.
• coconut aminos – low sodium soy sauce or tamari will work instead, it will just change the flavor a bit. Using either one of those will lower the carbs in the recipe. If using soy sauce, the recipe will not be gluten-free. Do not use liquid aminos as they are way too salty.
• broth – you can use either beef broth or veggie broth instead of chicken broth.
• fresh garlic – you can use garlic powder instead. If using garlic powder, use 1 teaspoon
• fresh ginger – you can use ground ginger instead. If using ground ginger, use 1 teaspoon.
• arrowroot flour – tapioca flour or cornstarch can be used instead of arrowroot.
• oil – any kind of neutral oil will work

More healthy dinner recipes

• Healthy Chicken Pad Thai (Paleo)
• Philly Cheesesteak Skillet
• Shrimp Rice Noodles with Peanut Butter Sauce
• Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry (Paleo/Whole30)
• Buffalo Chicken Casserole