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Easy Gluten-Free Beef and Broccoli (Dairy-Free)

This easy gluten-free beef and broccoli is perfect for when you’re craving Asian takeout! Tender beef slices in a savory sauce and sautéed broccoli make this tasty Asian dish perfect for a low-carb protein-packed meal, or eat it with fluffy white rice for a more filling option. Totally dairy-free too!

Gluten-free beef and broccoli on a plate.

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Asian Food Cravings?

If you’re in the mood for Chinese food delivery, I’ve got you covered! Here are some of our favorite Asian recipes you can make at home without going to Chinese restaurants:

Easy Beef & Broccoli for a Tasty Meal

And… we’ve also got this copycat Panda Express beef and broccoli, a flavorful and tasty healthy weeknight meal that’s perfect on its own for a low-carb dinner.

Or if you want something a little more filling, eat this beef broccoli stir-fry with a bowl of steaming hot white rice or cauliflower rice.

Top down view of a plate of gf beef and broccoli.

Why This Recipe Works:

  • Simple Ingredients: The ingredients needed for this gluten-free beef stir fry are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
  • Easy to Make: Preparing this gf beef and broccoli recipe is about marinating the beef before stir-frying it with a sauce and adding sautéed broccoli florets. Perfect for busy weeknights – tuck into this easy dinner that the whole family will love.
  • Totally Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Low Carb: The best part is that this delicious broccoli beef stir fry is 100% gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-carb, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances or those simply on a low carb diet can enjoy it without issues!
Up close shot of gluten-free beef stir fry with broccoli and sesame seeds.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for this gluten-free beef and broccoli recipe.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Ingredients required for gluten-free beef and broccoli recipe laid out on marble board.

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

  • Beef: To get tender beef slices, make sure to use thinly sliced beef as opposed to thick cubes of beef. I recommend using flank steak.
  • Oil: I like to use sunflower oil in cooking as we always have a bottle of sunflower oil on hand. However, you may also use other types of vegetable oil (such as olive oilcanola oilavocado oilcoconut oil etc).
  • Broccoli: I used fresh broccoli florets, but you may also use frozen broccoli instead. Just make sure to cut the broccoli into small florets so they cook better.
  • Sesame Seeds: I like sprinkling some white sesame seeds on top of this gluten-free broccoli beef for a nice contrast in color.
  • Brown Sugar: I used light brown sugar, but you may also use cane sugardark brown sugar, or coconut sugar. Alternatively, if you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, feel free to use granulated monkfruit sweetener instead (a 1:1 sugar substitute that is zero glycemic-index and will not raise your blood sugar).
  • Tamari Sauce: I used gluten-free tamari sauce (gluten-free soy sauce) to keep this recipe gluten-free. You may also use coconut aminos instead. However, if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular soy sauce instead.
  • Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent to thicken the sauce, so make sure to add it in. Alternatively, you may also use tapioca starch (also known as tapioca flour) or arrowroot starch (also known as arrowroot powder).
  • Lemon Juice: Adding lemon juice adds a bit of tanginess to the dish. Alternatively, you may also use apple cider vinegarrice wine vinegar or white wine vinegar instead.
  • Ginger: Grated fresh ginger is an essential ingredient for this dish, so make sure you use fresh ginger for this.
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic is also a key ingredient for the flavor of this dish, so don’t skip it!
  • Broth: I used beef broth to compliment the beef, but you may also use vegetable broth or chicken broth instead. Homemade broth is best, but you may also use store-bought beef broth instead.
  • Sesame Oil: A little bit of sesame oil adds extra depth of flavor to this broccoli beef, so make sure to add it in!

How to Make Gluten-Free Beef and Broccoli (Step by Step):

1. Marinate Beef Slices

Mix brown sugar, gluten-free tamari sauce, cornstarch and lemon juice in a bowl. Stir to break up lumps of starch. Transfer the sliced beef to a bowl and stir to combine. Let the beef slices marinate for 15 minutes.

Marinating beef slices in a white bowl.

2. Sauté Broccoli

Heat up the oil in a large skillet and sauté broccoli florets over medium heat. Stir-fry the florets for 5-6 minutes until tender and slightly brown on the edges, stirring with a spatula. Then transfer to a plate and set aside.

Sautéing broccoli florets in a skillet.

3. Whisk Sauce Ingredients

Combine ginger, garlic, beef broth, brown sugar, tamari sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, salt and pepper in a bowl. Whisk well to combine.

Mixing black sauce ingredients in white bowl.

4. Pan-Fry Beef

Add frying oil to a hot pan over medium heat and fry the beef for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. (During this time, the beef should have time to cook, as it was thinly sliced and marinated).

Once cooked, transfer the cooked steak slices to a plate and set aside.

Stir frying beef slices in a skillet.

5. Heat Sauce

Pour the sauce into the pan and heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring, until it becomes thick and glossy.

Heating up a dark brown sauce in skillet.

6. Add Beef

Transfer the cooked beef slices to the pan and fry in the sauce for another 3 minutes.

Cooking beef slices in skillet.

7. Add Broccoli

Add the cooked broccoli florets and stir-fry everything together for another 2-3 minutes.

Sautéing broccoli florets and beef slices in a pan.

8. Garnish and Enjoy

Serve this healthy beef and broccoli hot or warm, sprinkled with sesame seeds and ground black pepper.

Up close shot of a plate of gf broccoli beef on plate.

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

  • Slice Beef Thinly: For the best results, make sure to use thinly sliced beef as opposed to thick cubes of beef.
  • Fresh or Frozen Broccoli: Both fresh or frozen broccoli will work fine. Just make sure to cut the broccoli into small florets so they cook better.

Recipe FAQs:

How to Store Broccoli Beef?

To store, place the gluten-free broccoli and beef in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a pan before eating.

Is Panda Express Beef and Broccoli Gluten-Free?

Unfortunately, Panda Express uses gluten-containing ingredients such as soy sauce and wheat and does not have any gluten-free items on its menu. Hence Panda Express’s beef and broccoli is not gluten-free and is not safe for those with Celiac disease or gluten intolerances.

Up close shot of beef stir fry on plate.

Other Asian Recipes You’ll Enjoy:

Gluten-Free Dinner Recipes to Eat:

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

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Gluten-Free Beef and Broccoli (Dairy-Free)


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Felicia Lim
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This easy gluten-free beef and broccoli is perfect for when you’re craving Asian takeout! Tender beef slices in a savory sauce and sautéed broccoli make this tasty Asian dish perfect on its own for a low-carb protein-packed meal, or eat it with fluffy white rice for a more filling option. Totally dairy-free too!


Ingredients

Units Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 pounds beef, thinly sliced (flank steak)
  • 2 tablespoons cooking oil
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds for serving

For the Marinade:

For the Sauce:


Instructions

  1. Marinate Beef: Mix brown sugar, gluten-free tamari sauce, cornstarch and lemon juice in a bowl. Stir to break up lumps of starch. Transfer the sliced beef to a bowl and stir to combine. Let the beef slices marinate for 15 minutes.
  2. Sauté Broccoli: Heat up the oil in a large skillet and sauté broccoli florets over medium heat. Stir-fry the florets for 5-6 minutes until tender and slightly brown on the edges, stirring with a spatula. Then transfer to a plate and set aside.
  3. Whisk Sauce Ingredients: Combine ginger, garlic, beef broth, brown sugar, tamari sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, salt and pepper in a bowl. Whisk well to combine.
  4. Pan-Fry Beef: Add frying oil to a hot pan over medium heat and fry the beef for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. During this time, the beef should have time to cook, as it was thinly sliced and marinated. Transfer the cooked beef to a plate and set aside.
  5. Heat Sauce: Pour the sauce into the pan and heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring, until it becomes thick and glossy.
  6. Add Beef: Transfer the cooked beef slices to the pan and fry in the sauce for another 3 minutes.
  7. Add Broccoli: Add the cooked broccoli florets and stir-fry everything together for another 2-3 minutes.
  8. Garnish and Enjoy: Serve beef and broccoli hot or warm, sprinkled with sesame seeds.

Notes

Beef: For the best results, make sure to use thinly sliced beef as opposed to thick cubes of beef.

Oil: I like to use sunflower oil in cooking as we always have a bottle of sunflower oil on hand. However, you may also use other types of vegetable oil (such as olive oil, canola oil, avocado oil, coconut oil etc).

Broccoli: I used fresh broccoli, but you may also use frozen broccoli instead. Just make sure to cut the broccoli into small florets so they cook better.

Sesame Seeds: I like sprinkling some white sesame seeds on top of this gluten-free beef and broccoli for a nice contrast in color.

Brown Sugar: I used light brown sugar, but you may also use cane sugar, dark brown sugar, or coconut sugar. Alternatively, if you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, feel free to use granulated monkfruit sweetener instead (a 1:1 sugar substitute that is zero glycemic-index and will not raise your blood sugar).

Tamari Sauce: I used gluten-free tamari sauce (gluten-free soy sauce) to keep this recipe gluten-free. You may also use coconut aminos instead. However, if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular soy sauce instead.

Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent to thicken the sauce, so make sure to add it in. Alternatively, you may also use tapioca starch (also known as tapioca flour) or arrowroot starch (also known as arrowroot powder).

Lemon Juice: Adding lemon juice adds a bit of tanginess to the dish. Alternatively, you may also use apple cider vinegar, rice wine vinegar or white wine vinegar instead.

Ginger: Grated fresh ginger is an essential ingredient for this dish, so make sure you use fresh ginger for this.

Garlic: Fresh garlic is also a key ingredient for the flavor of this dish, so don’t skip it!

Broth: I used beef broth to compliment the beef, but you may also use vegetable broth instead. Homemade broth is best, but you may also use store-bought beef broth instead.

Sesame Oil: A little bit of sesame oil adds extra depth of flavor to this broccoli beef, so make sure to add it in!

Storing: To store, place the gluten-free beef and broccoli in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a pan before eating.

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Marinating Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Asian

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8 Comments

  1. Just made it for my wife and me. Served over brown rice. Only issue was the saltiness of dish, probably from the tamari sauce. Next time I’ll try some worcestershire sauce and less tamari. Otherwise, great taste, easy to prep and make and wife gave approval.

    1. Hi Dennis! Glad to hear you and your wife enjoyed this beef and broccoli! Yes, feel free to reduce/change up the tamari sauce with the amount of worcestershire sauce you prefer. Thanks for taking the time to let me know how it went, and I hope to see you around the blog again sometime soon!

  2. Delicious! Just made it tonight, i accidentally added too much salt, and I’ll remember next time not to. Thank you for the recipe!

    1. YAY! So happy you enjoyed this beef and broccoli 🙂 Thanks for letting me know how much you enjoyed it, and hope to see you around the blog again sometime soon!