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Tender stew meat simmered in a rich garlic-soy sauce, paired with crisp-tender fresh broccoli florets for a comforting and budget-friendly dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 pounds beef stew meat
  • 4 cups broccoli florets
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add beef stew meat in a single layer and brown for 4–5 minutes, turning to sear all sides, then transfer beef to a plate.
  3. Add remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to the same pan; add minced garlic and ginger and sauté about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in soy sauce, beef broth, and brown sugar; stir to combine.
  5. Return browned beef to the pan and stir into the sauce, then bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer gently for 20–25 minutes until beef is fork-tender.
  7. Add broccoli florets, cover, and steam in the simmering sauce for 5–7 minutes until bright green and just tender.
  8. Whisk cornstarch with water until smooth, slowly stir into the skillet, and cook 2–3 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
  9. Drizzle sesame oil over the dish and stir to combine.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when browning beef; brown in batches if needed for caramelization., Deglaze the pan after cooking garlic and ginger by adding a splash of broth or soy sauce and scraping browned bits for extra flavor., Simmer beef longer if pieces are still chewy but avoid overcooking to prevent falling apart., Cut broccoli evenly for uniform cooking and preserve crispness; alternatively, blanch or steam separately and add at the end., Add cornstarch slurry slowly and stir constantly to avoid lumps and achieve glossy sauce., Add sesame oil off the heat or just before serving to preserve aroma., Adjust sauce thickness by adding more cornstarch slurry (for thicker) or broth (for thinner)., Store leftovers in airtight container up to 4 days and reheat gently with splash of broth or water., Variations include using thinly sliced steak for quicker cooking, slow cooker or pressure cooker methods, chicken substitutions, or vegetarian options using tofu or tempeh., Additional vegetables such as bell peppers, snap peas, carrots, mushrooms, or baby corn can be added for variety., Add spice with crushed red pepper flakes, chili oil, Sriracha, or chili-garlic sauce if desired., Garnish with toasted sesame seeds, sliced green onions, or a squeeze of fresh lime juice for added flavor and texture.

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