LUNCH

Beef and Broccoli Ramen Stir Fry 🍜🥦🥩

This Beef and Broccoli Ramen Stir Fry brings together the comforting familiarity of ramen noodles with the classic, savory flavors of a beef and broccoli stir fry. It’s a fantastic weeknight meal that’s quick, satisfying, and packed with tender beef, crisp-tender broccoli, and slurpable noodles all coated in a rich, flavorful sauce. Best of all, it comes together in one skillet or wok, making cleanup a breeze!

Why You’ll Love This Dish

This recipe is a winner for several reasons:

  • Quick & Easy: Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s faster than ordering takeout.
  • One-Pan Wonder: Minimal cleanup means less time scrubbing and more time enjoying.
  • Flavorful Fusion: Combines the best elements of Chinese-American stir-fry with Japanese-inspired ramen noodles.
  • Customizable: Easily adaptable to your favorite veggies and preferred spice level.

Key Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious stir fry:

  • For the Beef:
    • 1 lb (450g) flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
    • 1 tbsp soy sauce
    • 1 tbsp cornstarch
    • ½ tsp baking soda (for tenderizing the beef – don’t skip!)
    • 1 tbsp neutral oil (vegetable, canola, or peanut)
  • For the Ramen:
    • 2 (85g) packages ramen noodles (discard seasoning packets or save for another use)
  • For the Broccoli:
    • 4 cups broccoli florets (from about 1 large head), bite-sized
  • For the Stir Fry Sauce:
    • ½ cup beef broth
    • ¼ cup soy sauce
    • 2 tbsp oyster sauce (optional, but adds great depth)
    • 1 tbsp brown sugar (or honey)
    • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
    • 1 tsp sesame oil
    • 1 tbsp cornstarch (for thickening)
    • ½ tsp garlic powder or 1 clove minced fresh garlic (optional)
    • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • For the Aromatics & Cooking:
    • 1 tbsp neutral oil
    • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Optional Garnishes:
    • Sesame seeds
    • Sliced green onions

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps for a perfect Beef and Broccoli Ramen Stir Fry:

  1. Marinate the Beef:
    • In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced beef with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp cornstarch, and ½ tsp baking soda. Mix well with your hands until the beef is thoroughly coated and feels slightly slippery.
    • Let the beef marinate at room temperature for 15-20 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients. This “velveting” technique makes the beef incredibly tender.
  2. Prepare the Ramen Noodles:
    • Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the ramen noodles (without the seasoning packets) and cook according to package directions, typically 2-3 minutes, until just al dente. Don’t overcook, as they will finish cooking in the stir-fry.
    • Drain the noodles well and rinse quickly with cold water to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  3. Prepare the Broccoli:
    • While the beef marinates, cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets.
    • You can quickly blanch the broccoli by adding it to boiling water for 1-2 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender, then drain. Alternatively, you can add it directly to the stir-fry later, but blanching ensures even cooking.
  4. Whisk the Stir Fry Sauce:
    • In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, ¼ cup soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, 1 tbsp cornstarch, garlic powder (if using), and red pepper flakes (if using). Whisk until the cornstarch is completely dissolved and there are no lumps. Set aside.
  5. Cook the Beef:
    • Heat 1 tbsp neutral oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering hot.
    • Add the marinated beef to the hot pan in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the pan (cook in two batches if necessary).
    • Sear the beef for 1-2 minutes per side until lightly browned and mostly cooked through. It’s okay if it’s still slightly pink in the center, as it will finish cooking in the sauce.
    • Remove the cooked beef from the pan and set it aside.
  6. Sauté Aromatics & Add Broccoli:
    • Reduce the heat to medium-high. Add ginger and garlic to the same pan. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
    • Add the broccoli florets to the pan. If you didn’t blanch them, add about ¼ cup of water, cover the pan, and let the broccoli steam for 2-3 minutes until crisp-tender. If blanched, simply stir-fry for 1-2 minutes to heat through.
  7. Combine & Finish:
    • Give the prepared stir fry sauce a quick whisk again, then pour it into the pan with the broccoli. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
    • Return the cooked beef and the drained ramen noodles to the pan.
    • Toss everything together until the noodles, beef, and broccoli are evenly coated with the sauce and heated through, about 1-2 minutes.
  8. Serve:
    • Serve immediately in bowls. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if desired.

Tips for Success

  • Slice Beef Thinly: Slicing against the grain makes a huge difference in tenderness.
  • Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: This is crucial for stir-frying. Cooking in batches ensures ingredients sear rather than steam.
  • Taste and Adjust Sauce: Taste the sauce before adding it to the pan. Adjust sweetness, saltiness, or spice to your preference.
  • Al Dente Noodles: Slightly undercook the ramen, as they will absorb more sauce and soften during the final combining step.
  • Prep Everything First: Stir-frying is fast! Have all your ingredients ready before you start cooking.

Variations & Enhancements

  • Add More Veggies: Feel free to toss in sliced carrots, bell peppers, snow peas, or mushrooms along with the broccoli. Add them according to their cooking time.
  • Spicier Kick: Increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of chili oil at the end.
  • Different Protein: This recipe works beautifully with chicken or pork tenderloin, thinly sliced.
  • Nutty Flavor: A sprinkle of chopped peanuts or cashews at the end adds a lovely crunch.
  • Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce, ensure your oyster sauce is gluten-free, and use gluten-free ramen noodles (rice ramen or millet ramen).

Serving Suggestions

This Beef and Broccoli Ramen Stir Fry is a complete meal on its own! However, if you want to extend it or add freshness, consider:

  • A side of steamed edamame.
  • A light, crisp green salad with an Asian-inspired dressing.

Enjoy this quick, easy, and incredibly flavorful fusion dish!