The Ultimate Keto Beef and Broccoli Recipe (Better Than Takeout!)

Do you ever find yourself craving that savory, saucy goodness of Chinese takeout, only to remember it’s loaded with sugar, cornstarch, and other ingredients that don’t fit your keto lifestyle? You’re not alone. The good news is that you don’t have to give up your favorite dishes. With a few simple swaps, you can create a delicious, healthy, and completely satisfying Keto Beef and Broccoli right in your own kitchen. This recipe delivers all the classic flavor you love without the carbs, making it the perfect weeknight dinner.

This dish features tender, perfectly seared strips of beef and crisp-tender broccoli florets, all tossed in a rich and savory garlic ginger sauce. It comes together in under 30 minutes, which is often faster than waiting for a delivery driver. Moreover, by making it yourself, you control every single ingredient—a key benefit of cooking your own meals—ensuring it’s free from MSG, hidden sugars, and gluten. Get ready to impress yourself and your family with a meal that’s both indulgent and incredibly healthy. Therefore, let’s dive into how you can make the best keto beef and broccoli you’ve ever had.

Why You’ll Love This Low-Carb Takeout Classic

Before we get to the cooking, let’s talk about what makes this recipe a true winner. It’s more than just a low-carb alternative; it’s a genuinely delicious meal that stands on its own. It quickly becomes a staple in any keto meal plan for several important reasons.

• Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of savory coconut aminos, aromatic sesame oil, fresh ginger, and garlic creates a sauce that rivals any restaurant version. It perfectly coats the beef and broccoli, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor.
• Quick and Easy: This entire meal can be on your table in 30 minutes or less, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you need something fast but don’t want to compromise on taste or your health goals.
• Healthier Than Takeout: By skipping the sugar, cornstarch, and soy, you get a clean, gluten-free, and keto-friendly meal. You get all the satisfaction without the carb crash or inflammatory ingredients.
• Family-Friendly: Even family members who aren’t following a keto diet will love this dish. Its familiar, comforting flavors appeal to everyone, so you don’t have to cook separate meals.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: This recipe holds up beautifully in the refrigerator, making it a fantastic option for meal prep. Simply portion it out for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.

The Ultimate Keto Beef and Broccoli Recipe (Better Than Takeout!)

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A fast, flavorful, and low‑carb beef stir‑fry featuring tender steak, crisp broccoli, and a rich garlic‑ginger sauce—better than takeout and fully keto-friendly.

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1.5 lbs flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain

5 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)

2 tablespoons avocado oil, divided

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional)

1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)

1/2 cup coconut aminos (or gluten-free tamari)

1/4 cup beef broth

2 tablespoons keto-friendly sweetener (erythritol or monk fruit)

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum

Salt and black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Whisk coconut aminos, beef broth, sweetener, and sesame oil together to make the sauce. Set aside.

2. Pat steak dry and slice thinly against the grain.

3. Heat 1 tablespoon avocado oil over medium-high heat. Add broccoli and cook 4-5 minutes until tender-crisp. Remove and set aside.

4. Add remaining avocado oil and heat to high. Sear beef in batches, 1-2 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

5. Lower heat to medium. Add garlic and ginger; cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

6. Pour in prepared sauce and bring to a simmer.

7. Slowly sprinkle xanthan gum while whisking to thicken the sauce.

8. Return beef and broccoli to skillet and toss to coat. Cook 1 minute to heat through.

9. Serve immediately with optional green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

Cook beef in batches to avoid steaming. For extra-thick sauce, add a tiny pinch more xanthan gum; for thinner sauce, add broth. Serve over cauliflower rice or zoodles. Stores well for up to 4 days and reheats beautifully.

• Author: Jessica Lupone!
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Asian-Inspired

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 720mg
• Fat: 27g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 33g
• Cholesterol: 90mg

Ingredients for Your Keto Beef and Broccoli

The key to a successful keto recipe is using the right ingredients. For this beef and broccoli, we’re swapping high-carb culprits for smart, low-carb alternatives that deliver on flavor without kicking you out of ketosis. Here is everything you will need.

For the Beef and Broccoli

• 1.5 lbs flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
• 5 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil, divided
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions, for garnish (optional)
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

For the Keto Sauce

• 1/2 cup coconut aminos (or gluten-free tamari)
• 1/4 cup beef broth
• 2 tablespoons keto-friendly sweetener (like erythritol or monk fruit)
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum (for thickening)

Choosing the Best Cut of Beef

The star of this dish is, of course, the beef. The cut you choose will have a big impact on the final texture and tenderness of your meal. While many cuts can work, some are better suited for the quick, high-heat cooking of a stir-fry. Here are some of the best options.

Flank Steak

Flank steak is the classic choice for beef and broccoli, and for good reason. It has a robust, beefy flavor and a lean texture that soaks up marinades and sauces beautifully. However, the most important rule when using flank steak is to slice it very thinly against the grain. This breaks up the long muscle fibers, ensuring the meat is tender and easy to chew rather than tough.

Sirloin Steak

Sirloin is another excellent and often more budget-friendly option. It’s lean, tender, and widely available. Top sirloin is particularly good for stir-frying as it has a fine grain and great flavor. Just like with flank steak, slicing it thinly against the grain is essential for the best results. It provides a wonderful texture that pairs perfectly with the crisp broccoli.

Ribeye or New York Strip

For a more decadent and tender result, you could use a high-quality steak like ribeye or New York strip. These cuts have more marbling (intramuscular fat), which translates to more flavor and a naturally softer texture. Because they are already so tender, you don’t have to be quite as meticulous about slicing against the grain, although it’s still a good practice. Keep in mind these cuts are more expensive, so they are best reserved for a special occasion.

A helpful tip for getting those paper-thin slices is to place the steak in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes before cutting. This firms up the meat, making it much easier to slice thinly and evenly with a sharp knife. Proper handling is also crucial, and the USDA offers important guidelines for beef safety from farm to table.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Keto Beef and Broccoli

Now that you have your ingredients ready, it’s time to cook. This process is simple and straightforward. Following these steps will ensure your beef is tender, your broccoli is perfectly crisp, and your sauce is rich and glossy. Let’s get started!

1. Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut aminos, beef broth, keto sweetener, and sesame oil. Set it aside for later.
2. Slice and Season the Beef: Pat the steak dry with paper towels. Slice it very thinly against the grain. This is the most crucial step for tender beef.
3. Cook the Broccoli: Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 4-5 minutes, until they are bright green and tender-crisp. You can add a tablespoon of water and cover the pan for a minute to steam them faster. Once cooked, remove the broccoli from the skillet and set it aside.
4. Sear the Beef: Add the remaining tablespoon of avocado oil to the same skillet. Increase the heat to high. Add the sliced beef to the hot pan in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until browned. Do not overcook. Remove the beef from the skillet and set it aside with the broccoli.
5. Create the Sauce: Lower the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the prepared sauce mixture and bring it to a simmer.
6. Thicken the Sauce: While the sauce is simmering, lightly sprinkle the xanthan gum over the liquid, whisking continuously to prevent clumps. The sauce will thicken almost immediately. Let it simmer for another minute.
7. Combine and Serve: Return the cooked beef and broccoli to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat it evenly in the thickened sauce. Let it cook for one more minute to heat through. Serve immediately, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

For a quick overview, here is a summary of the cooking process:

Tips for the Perfect Keto Beef and Broccoli

While this recipe is straightforward, a few expert tips can elevate it from good to absolutely amazing. Keep these pointers in mind to ensure your dish turns out perfectly every single time.

Don’t Crowd the Pan

This is a golden rule of stir-frying. When you add too much beef to the skillet at once, the temperature of the pan drops significantly. Instead of searing, the meat will steam in its own juices, resulting in a gray, rubbery texture. To achieve that beautiful brown crust, cook the beef in two or three small batches, making sure there is space between each piece.

Master the Sauce Thickener

Xanthan gum is a powerful thickener, and a little goes a long way. The key to a smooth sauce is to add it correctly. Never dump it all in at once, as this will create slimy clumps. Instead, sprinkle it very slowly and evenly over the surface of the simmering liquid while whisking vigorously. The sauce will thicken within seconds. If you’re nervous, you can mix the xanthan gum with a tablespoon of oil to create a slurry before adding it to the pan.

Customize Your Vegetables

While broccoli is the classic partner for this dish, feel free to get creative. Other low-carb vegetables work wonderfully here. For example, you could add sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, or asparagus. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time based on the vegetable you choose, adding denser ones like peppers first.

Meal Prep and Storage

This Keto Beef and Broccoli is an excellent meal prep recipe. You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors often meld and become even better the next day. To reheat, simply microwave it or gently warm it in a skillet over low heat. It’s perfect over cauliflower rice for a complete and satisfying lunch.

In conclusion, this Keto Beef and Broccoli recipe is the perfect way to satisfy your takeout cravings without derailing your health goals. It’s a quick, flavorful, and incredibly easy dish that proves you don’t have to sacrifice flavor when living a low-carb lifestyle. By choosing the right ingredients and following these simple steps, you can create a meal that is far superior to any restaurant version. Enjoy this delicious addition to your keto recipe collection!

Frequently Asked Questions About Keto Beef and Broccoli

What can I serve with keto beef and broccoli?

This dish is fantastic on its own, but for a more complete meal, serve it over cauliflower rice to soak up the delicious sauce. It also pairs well with zucchini noodles (zoodles) or a simple side salad with a ginger dressing.

Can I use something other than xanthan gum to thicken the sauce?

Yes, you can. While xanthan gum is a common keto thickener, you could also use a pinch of glucomannan powder. Alternatively, you can simply simmer the sauce a bit longer to let it reduce and thicken naturally, though it won’t become as glossy as it would with a thickener.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! This recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use coconut aminos or a certified gluten-free tamari instead of traditional soy sauce, which typically contains wheat.

How many net carbs are in a serving?

The exact carb count can vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients you use, especially the sweetener and coconut aminos. However, a typical serving of this keto beef and broccoli contains approximately 8-10 grams of net carbs, making it a great option for a ketogenic diet.