Keto Beef and Broccoli

This Keto Beef and Broccoli stir-fry is the perfect way to satisfy your Chinese takeout cravings! This recipe is loaded with classic flavors such as ginger and garlic. Oh and one of the best parts is that it’s super easy to make and is ready in about 30 minutes.

Sometimes don’t you just crave Chinese takeout?? I know I do! I mean come on, we all know it’s not the healthiest but it’s still soooo good. But the problem is that there are too many carbs in typical Chinese takeout meals. 

That being said, we were able to bring a great recipe for keto beef and broccoli to all of you who have been missing it. 

I created it a few weeks ago for my husband and my dad and they fell in love with it. I ended up serving it with some Miracle Noodles and it was delicious! 

Now let’s get into the good stuff…how to make it. Let’s go!

What is Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry?

For starters, what is beef and broccoli stir-fry?? 

It’s beef ( normally flank steak), and broccoli cooked in a yummy sauce. It’s a nutritious 1-Pan meal and a popular recipe found in many Asian cuisines.

Unfortunately, though, it’s that yummy sauce that makes this dish high in carbs because it has more than just soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. It is thickened with cornstarch and brown sugar, which is where the high carb content comes in.

Is Beef and Broccoli Keto Friendly?

If you were to order beef and broccoli out somewhere, then NO it’s definitely NOT keto-friendly. However, when made a certain way…beef and broccoli can be keto-friendly. 

But we need to make some changes to make that happen, which is where my recipe comes into play.

How Many Carbs are in Chinese Beef and Broccoli?

I don’t have an exact number of carbs in Chinese beef and broccoli, since each restaurant can make it differently. But after looking into it a little more, one serving of takeout beef and broccoli can be anywhere from 15-30 net carbs. 

Obviously since we all know that is too much when eating low carb, but our recipe is completely low carb. For just one serving it’s just under 6 net carbs, pretty good right?

What Ingredients are in Keto Beef Stir Fry?

• Flank Steak – You want the flank steak to be sliced thin and in small enough pieces so you don’t have to cut it after it’s cooked. 
• Broccoli – I bought a precut bag of broccoli at Costco, but you can cut the heads yourself. You want bite-sized pieces. Too small and it will fall apart, too big and you can’t eat it in one bite. 
• Liquid Aminos – I chose to use liquid aminos, but you can use coconut aminos or soy sauce. Keep in mind that the carbs may change depending on which one you use. If you are gluten intolerant or have a soy allergy, use liquid aminos. It has the same flavor as soy sauce. 
• Ginger – You can use minced or grated ginger, but my favorite go-to is ginger paste. It’s sold in the herb section of the grocery store. It saves you time and keeps for quite a while in the fridge. 
• Garlic – Fresh or minced jarred garlic is great. 
• Toasted Sesame Oil – A classic oil in Asian cooking. 
• Beef Broth – I used beef bone broth, Kettle and Fire is by far the best brand out there.

What is the Best Beef to Use?

The best cut of beef when making low carb beef and broccoli is: 

• Flank Steak 
• Chuck Roast or Chuck Eye Steaks
• Sirloin Steak

You want to use a tender cut of meat, that is easy to slice and is flavorful.

Different Variations

Ok, so I know this is called “beef and broccoli” but really there’s nothing stopping you from replacing the beef. You can use chicken, pork, shrimp, or even some tofu if you need it to be a vegetarian meal. 

Adding in other veggies can also be a great addition as well. I personally love throwing in some onions, bell peppers, fresh spinach, green beans, snap peas, zucchini, or brussel sprouts. The list can really go on and on. Use what you like best!

Keto Beef and Broccoli Sauce 

Our keto beef and broccoli sauce is super easy! It’s a combination of: 

• 2 tbsp sesame oil 
• ½ cup beef broth
• ½ cup liquid aminos 
• 1 tbsp ginger 
• 2 tsp minced garlic 

Mix all the ingredients into a small bowl and set aside until ready to use.

• TIP: Now, if you need this sauce to be paleo, then replace the sesame oil with olive oil.

How to Thicken the Sauce

If you find that the sauce needs to be thickened it’s super easy to do. 

To thicken the sauce: 

1. In a small bowl, whisk together xanthan or arrowroot starch with 1 tablespoon cold water. 
2. Whisk into the Instant Pot. Press SAUTE.  (You can also transfer the beef to a bowl first if you prefer before whisking in the thickening slurry). 
3. Add the broccoli and cook until the sauce has thickened and broccoli is hot.

How to Make Keto Beef and Broccoli 

We are going to talk about a few different ways to make keto beef broccoli, but let’s start learning how to cook it on the stove. Ok let’s get into the nitty-gritty here and I’ll show you how to make it: 

STEP 1: Grab a large cutting board and a good sharp knife. Cut the flank steak into long strips, then cut each strip in half. You want bite-sized pieces but preferably not small chunks.

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STEP 2: Put the steak in a mixing bowl. Add 1 tsp ginger, 2 tbsp liquid aminos, and ½ tsp minced garlic. Mix together and let marinate.

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STEP 3: In another small bowl add the sauce ingredients: 2 tbsp sesame oil, ½ cup beef broth, ½ cup liquid aminos, 1 tbsp ginger, 2 tsp garlic. Stir the sauce together. 

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STEP 4: In a large frying pan add the chopped broccoli with ¼ cup of water. Steam the broccoli on medium heat.

You can use a lid to help steam the broccoli quicker, it should only take about 5 minutes.

Remove the broccoli from the pan and set it aside.

STEP 5: Add the beef to the frying pan and cook on medium-high heat.

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Once the meat is just about cooked add the sauce. Let simmer for a few minutes. The sauce should thicken, but if it’s not, then add in ¼ tsp of xanthan gum. 

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STEP 6: Now add in the broccoli and mix it into the sauce.

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STEP 7: Serve by itself, over cauliflower fried rice, or shirataki noodles.

Can I Make Keto Beef and Broccoli in the Instant Pot?

Now let’s go over instructions for using an Instant Pot.

STEP 1: Grab a large cutting board and a good sharp knife. Cut the flank steak into long strips, then cut each strip in half. You want bite-sized pieces but preferably not small chunks. 

STEP 2: Put the steak in a mixing bowl. Add 1 tsp ginger, 2 tbsp liquid aminos, and ½ tsp minced garlic. Mix together and let marinate. 

STEP 3: In another small bowl add the sauce ingredients: 2 tbsp sesame oil, ½ cup beef broth, ½ cup liquid aminos, 1 tbsp ginger, 2 tsp garlic. Stir the sauce together. 

STEP 4: Press the SAUTE button. Once the Instant Pot is hot, sear the beef for 1-2 minutes until brown (cook in batches as needed).

STEP 5: PRESS Cancel, then press MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK on HIGH. Set to 4 minutes and cover with a lid. Turn the heating valve to SEAL.

STEP 6: Quick release the pressure of the Instant Pot after the beef is cooked and there is a beeping to tell you it’s done.

STEP 7: Carefully open the lid. To thicken the sauce, in a small bowl, whisk together xanthan or arrowroot starch with 1 tablespoon cold water. Whisk into the Instant Pot. Press SAUTE.  (You can also transfer the beef to a bowl first if you prefer before whisking in the thickening slurry). Add the broccoli and cook until the sauce has thickened and the broccoli is hot.

STEP 8: Serve by itself, over cauliflower fried rice, or shirataki noodles.

Can I Make Keto Beef and Broccoli in the Slow Cooker?

Our third way of cooking keto beef and broccoli is in a slower cooker, follow instructions below. 

STEP 1: Grab a large cutting board and a good sharp knife. Cut the flank steak into long strips, then cut each strip in half. You want bite-sized pieces but preferably not small chunks. 

STEP 2: Put the steak in a mixing bowl. Add 1 tsp ginger, 2 tbsp liquid aminos, and ½ tsp minced garlic. Mix together and let marinate. 

STEP 3: In another small bowl add the sauce ingredients: 2 tbsp sesame oil, ½ cup beef broth, ½ cup liquid aminos, 1 tbsp ginger, 2 tsp garlic. Stir the sauce together. 

STEP 4: Add the beef and the sauce to the slow cooker. 

STEP 5: Cook on high for 1 hour, or low for 2 hours. 

STEP 6: Steam the broccoli on the stove, or place in the slow cooker and let cook for another 30 minutes until the broccoli is tender. 

STEP 7: If you need to thicken the sauce before adding the broccoli, then in a small bowl, whisk together xanthan or arrowroot starch with 1 tablespoon cold water. Add the mixture to the slow cooker. 

STEP 8: Add the steamed broccoli and let cook for about 10-20 minutes. 

STEP 9: Serve by itself, over cauliflower fried rice, or shirataki noodles.

FAQs & Best Tips

• The best kinds of steak to use are flank steak, chuck roast, or sirloin. 
• I found that when you use coconut aminos it does not need another thickening agent added to it. 
• Soy sauce and liquid aminos may need to be thickened. 
• If the sauce needs thickening, combine a ¼ tsp of xanthan gum with 1 tbsp of cold water then add to the pan. 
• For those with a soy allergy use Coconut Aminos. 
• I recommend steaming the broccoli first just until tender, not mushy.

Do I Need to Pre-Cook the Broccoli?

When cooking broccoli you want it to be crisp and tender, not mushy. Steaming the broccoli for just a couple of minutes will leave you with perfect broccoli.

Is there any Chinese Food that is Keto Friendly?

Unfortunately, most Chinese food is not keto-friendly since they use a lot of sweet sauces which contain added sugars. If you must eat at a Chinese restaurant ask for steamed veggies and grilled meats. 

That’s why I prefer making it at home! It’s easy, and you know exactly what ingredients are going into your meal.

Can I Eat Soy Sauce on a Keto Diet?

If you can’t find coconut aminos, then go ahead and use soy sauce. Don’t worry the carb content really isn’t that bad at all. It’s under 1 net carb per tablespoon.

What are Coconut Aminos?

There are two types of liquid aminos, both are great options when avoiding wheat and other unnecessary added ingredients. 

Coconut Aminos – Comes from the sap of coconut blossoms. It’s gluten-free, paleo-friendly, and a great low sodium soy sauce substitute. If you have a soy allergy or sensitivity, then using coconut aminos may be the best option for you. 

Liquid Aminos – Soy liquid aminos are made from soybeans and water. Naturally gluten-free and paleo-friendly.

What to Serve with Low Carb Beef and Broccoli?

Instead of serving your keto beef and broccoli stir fry with the typical rice or noodles that are “carb-heavy”, it tastes great served over cauliflower rice or shirataki noodles. 

You can make your own homemade cauliflower rice or buy it fresh or frozen. As far as shirataki noodles go, my absolute favorite is Pasta Zero Spaghetti. It tastes great! 

Oh, I almost forgot to mention, you can serve the low carb beef and broccoli with zucchini noodles! Check out our recipe for how to easily make zucchini noodles.

Make-Ahead & Storing Options 

Meal Prepping: Don’t we all just love meal prepping? It’s perfect for those weeknight dinners when we are exhausted after work. Make the keto beef and broccoli according to the recipe instructions.

Grab all your meal prep containers and divide up the keto beef stir fry. You can add in some cauliflower rice if you want. 

Place your meal prep containers in the fridge for 4-5 days, or store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

To Store Leftovers: Leftovers are great! Store your leftover keto beef stir fry in an airtight container and place in the fridge for 4-5 days.

How to Reheat

• To Reheat in the Microwave: Place the leftover low carb beef stir fry in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 60-90 seconds or until it’s reached the desired temperature. 
• To Reheat on the Stove: Place the leftover low carb beef stir fry in a wok or skillet. Heat on medium to medium-high heat until the desired temperature has been reached.

Can You Freeze Beef and Broccoli?

Sure thing!! Freezing leftover low carb beef and broccoli really comes in handy. 

• To Freeze: Place the leftovers in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Tools to Use

• Cutting Board
• Chef’s Knife 
• Measuring Cups and Spoons 
• Large Skillet or Large Wok 
• Chopsticks – Totally optional, but fun!

Other Diets This Recipe is Good For

Gluten-Free: In order to keep this keto beef stir fry gluten-free make sure you use liquid aminos, coconut aminos, or tamari sauce (which is a gluten-free soy sauce). Also, keep in mind you do not want to add cornstarch as a thickener, instead, use xanthan gum or arrowroot starch. 

Paleo: To make this a strict paleo keto beef and broccoli recipe, replace the sesame oil with olive oil.

Other Similar Recipes

We have more amazing recipes on our website that you can take a few minutes to look up. Try them out, because if you like our Beef and Broccoli you will also like:

• Keto Egg Roll in a Bowl 
• Keto Beef Stew
• Cheesy Keto Broccoli Casserole
• Cauliflower Rice 
• Cauliflower Fried Rice (Recipe coming soon) 

All of them are easy-to-make dinners and will have your friends & family raving!

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