This mouthwatering Air Fryer Beef and Broccoli delivers all the bold flavors of your favorite takeout in just 45 minutes. Packed with 28g of protein and only 362 calories per serving, it’s a healthier twist on the classic Chinese dish.
The air fryer perfectly sears the beef while keeping the broccoli crisp-tender, creating an irresistible combination of textures. Best of all, this recipe proves you don’t need a wok to create restaurant-quality Asian cuisine right in your kitchen.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Beef and Broccoli
- Soy Sauce: ⅓ cup, adds rich umami flavor
- Water: ¼ cup, helps balance the sauce
- Sesame Oil: 2 tbsp, brings authentic Asian flavor
- Garlic: 3 cloves minced, adds aromatic depth
- Ginger: 1 tsp grated, provides zesty kick
- Sriracha: 1 tsp, optional for heat lovers
- Steak: 1 pound flank or strip, thinly sliced against the grain
- Broccoli Florets: 1 pound, fresh and crisp
- Olive Oil: 1 tsp, helps broccoli crisp up
- Cornstarch: ½ tsp, perfect for sauce thickening
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Mix soy sauce, water, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and sriracha in a bowl
- Marinate: Pour half the sauce over sliced steak and refrigerate for 30 minutes
- Cook Beef: Air fry marinated steak at 375°F for 8 minutes
- Add Vegetables: Toss broccoli with olive oil, add over beef, cook 4 more minutes
- Finish Sauce: Mix cornstarch with reserved sauce, microwave for 2 minutes, stirring halfway
- Serve: Pour thickened sauce over beef and broccoli, garnish with optional sesame seeds and green onions
Cooking Techniques
The magic of this recipe happens in your air fryer! For the best results, slice your steak against the grain into thin, even strips – this makes the meat super tender. When adding the broccoli on top of the steak, try to spread it out in a single layer so it cooks evenly and gets those lovely crispy edges. The sauce thickening trick in the microwave is a real time-saver compared to traditional stovetop methods.
Quick Substitutions
Don’t have all the ingredients? No problem! You can swap flank steak for sirloin or strip steak. If you’re not a fan of spicy food, skip the sriracha or replace it with a bit of black pepper. Low-sodium soy sauce works great too if you’re watching your salt intake. Out of fresh ginger? Use 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger instead. You can also use frozen broccoli – just thaw and pat it dry before cooking.
Serving Ideas
This beef and broccoli tastes amazing over a bed of steamed rice or noodles. For a low-carb option, try it with cauliflower rice. The sauce is so good, you might want to double it! Don’t forget those garnishes – sesame seeds add a lovely crunch, and green onions bring a fresh pop of color and flavor. A side of kimchi or pickled vegetables adds a nice tangy contrast.
Storage Tips
Your leftovers will stay yummy for up to 3 days in the fridge. Store them in an airtight container, and when you’re ready to reheat, pop them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. The broccoli might get a bit softer when reheated, but the flavors will still be delicious. For best results, store the sauce separately if you’ve made extra – this keeps the meat and broccoli from getting too soggy.
Air Fryer Beef And Broccoli
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
Sauce and Marinade
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp Sesame Oil
- 3 cloves Garlic Minced
- 1 tsp Ginger Grated
- 1 tsp Sriracha optional
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound Steak Flank or strip, thinly sliced
- 1 pound broccoli florets
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp cornstarch
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, water, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and sriracha.
- Place the steak in a shallow bowl and pour half the sauce over it. Reserve the other half of the sauce for later.
- Cover and let marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Place the marinated steak into the air fryer basket and cook at 375F/190C for 8 minutes.
- Toss the broccoli and olive oil together and add it to the basket (on top of the steak). Cook at 375F/190C for an additional 4 minutes.
- Add the cornstarch to the reserved sauce and microwave it for 1 minute. Whisk to combine and microwave for an additional minute.
- The sauce should have thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon – if it is too thick, add a splash of water. If it is too thin, cook it for an additional minute.
- Pour the finished sauce over the cooked beef and broccoli and enjoy. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onion, if desired.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
