Description
This Beef and Broccoli Ramen Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner combining tender flank steak, crisp broccoli florets, and perfectly cooked ramen noodles tossed in a savory sesame-soy sauce. The dish features a balanced combination of protein, vegetables, and noodles with a delightful blend of ginger, garlic, and brown sugar for a sweet and umami-packed sauce. Garnished with sesame seeds and fresh chives, it’s an easy skillet stir fry that comes together in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles and Vegetables
- 6 oz instant Ramen noodles (two 3 oz packages, seasoning discarded)
- 1 lb broccoli (cut into 6 cups florets)
Meat
- 1 lb flank steak (or top sirloin, thinly sliced)
Oils and Seasonings
- 2 Tbsp olive oil (divided)
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp sesame seeds (optional garnish)
- 2 Tbsp chives (optional garnish)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Sauce
- 6 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 3 Tbsp light brown sugar (packed)
- 1 1/2 Tbsp corn starch
- 1 tsp fresh ginger (peeled and grated)
- 3 cloves garlic (grated, about 2 tsp)
Instructions
- Cook the ramen noodles: Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add ramen noodles and cook for 3 minutes, breaking them up with a spatula to separate. Drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: In a large measuring cup or bowl, combine the low sodium soy sauce, warm water, light brown sugar, grated ginger, grated garlic, corn starch, sesame oil, and black pepper. Stir well until the brown sugar and corn starch are completely dissolved.
- Sauté the broccoli: Heat a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, the broccoli florets, and 2 tablespoons of water. Cover with a lid and sauté for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is crisp-tender. Remove the broccoli from the skillet and set aside on a separate plate.
- Cook the beef: Increase the skillet heat to medium-high and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the thinly sliced flank steak in a single layer. Sauté the beef for about 2 minutes per side, or just until cooked through. Reduce the heat to medium-low once the beef is cooked.
- Simmer the sauce and combine: Stir the prepared sauce again if any separation occurred and pour it into the skillet with the beef. Let it simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. Return the sautéed broccoli to the pan, then add the cooked ramen noodles. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the noodles in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to thin it to your desired consistency.
- Garnish and serve: Serve the stir fry hot, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped fresh chives if desired. Enjoy your delicious beef and broccoli ramen stir fry!
Notes
- Use low sodium soy sauce to control salt levels.
- The starch in the sauce helps thicken it to coat the noodles and veggies well.
- Thinly slicing the flank steak ensures quick cooking and tender bite-sized pieces.
- Ginger and garlic add fresh, aromatic flavor balancing the sweetness of brown sugar.
- Feel free to substitute broccoli with other crunchy vegetables like snap peas or bell pepper for variation.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free soy sauce.
