Keto Beef and Broccoli

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5 from 181 votes
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My keto beef and broccoli recipe combines juicy flank steak with tender broccoli in an umami-forward sauce. Ready in under 15 minutes and only 3 grams of net carbs!

Looking for more Asian keto dinner recipes? Try my keto egg roll in a bowl, keto ramen, and keto stir fry next.

keto broccoli beef.

I typically cook at least one stir fry a week for my family, and my keto broccoli and beef recipe is always highly requested. 

They love it because it’s flavorful and doesn’t taste low-carb. I love it because the prep time is practically non-existent and gives Chinese takeout a run for its money!

Table of Contents
  1. Why I love this recipe
  2. Ingredients needed
  3. How to make keto beef and broccoli
  4. Arman’s recipe tips
  5. Storage instructions
  6. Frequently asked questions
  7. More low carb dinners to try
  8. Keto Beef and Broccoli (Recipe Card)

Why I love this recipe

  • It’s healthy. We’re talking lean protein, fiber, and a few Asian staples for the low-calorie sauce.
  • It’s fast. If I can have dinner on the table in under 20 minutes, it will become a weekly staple. 
  • It makes for great leftovers. Let the flavors mesh overnight and you’ve got the perfect leftovers for lunch tomorrow. 
  • And it’s easy to customize. Swap the protein, use different veggies, or add cauliflower rice to make a heartier dish.

★★★★★ REVIEW

“This was so good! I will be keeping the recipe in the rotation for sure!”Deanna

Ingredients needed

  • Flank steak. Sliced against the grain and it bite-sized pieces. I don’t recommend pre-sliced strips, as they often discard the outer portions of the steak, which gives the stir-fry so much extra flavor. 
  • Soy sauce OR liquid aminos. If you are gluten intolerant or have a soy allergy, use liquid aminos. It has the same flavor of soy sauce. 
  • Lemon juice. Adds extra acidity that holds the flavors into the beef and broccoli florets.
  • Coconut oil OR canola oil. To cook the meat in. Only a small amount will be used, as it is to balance out the sesame oil flavor. 
  • Apple cider vinegar. Gives the beef some extra flavor, especially when paired with the soy sauce. 
  • Minced garlic. Garlic from a jar is fine and is easier than mincing it yourself. 
  • Salt and Pepper. To taste! I always add salt AFTER stir frying everything, as adding salt to your meat before frying can reduce the sodium absorption. 
  • Toasted Sesame oil. The star ingredient that makes this beef and broccoli stir-fry better than any other out there! Use a very good quality sesame oil, as those have a very distinct flavor. 
  • Broccoli. Fresh broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces. 

How to make keto beef and broccoli

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1- Make the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar. Pour over the steak and toss to coat. 

Step 2- Cook the meat. Add one tablespoon of sesame oil to a non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Once hot, add the marinated steak and half of its sauce. Sear for 5 minutes, turning halfway through. 

Step 3- Cook the broccoli. Add the second tablespoon of sesame oil, followed by the broccoli and the rest of the sauce. Cook for 10 minutes until the broccoli is tender. Reduce heat to low and continue simmering until the broccoli is cooked.

keto beef broccoli.

Arman’s recipe tips

  • Use other cuts of beef. If you don’t have flank steak, you can use sirloin steak instead, but I suggest marinating the beef for 30 minutes first to help break down the fibers. 
  • Make sure the pan is hot. The best way I’ve found to get caramelized beef is to only add it once the pan is nice and warm.
  • Give it some heat. Add hot sauce, chili sauce, or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
  • Swap the protein. Use ground beef, sliced chicken breast, tofu, or shrimp. 
  • Add more vegetables. Like onions, peppers, cauliflower, or some fresh ginger. 
  • Garnish. Sprinkle some sesame seeds, cashews, or pumpkin seeds on top before serving.

Storage instructions

To store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to one week. 

To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled stir fry in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Reheating: Microwave portions for 30-40 seconds or until hot, or reheat in a skillet over medium heat.

keto beef and broccoli.

Frequently asked questions

How many carbs are in beef and broccoli?

There are just 3 grams of net carbs per serving.

Does the broccoli need to be pre-cooked?

Cooked broccoli is best enjoyed crisp and tender, so pre-cooking it will result is soft and brittle broccoli. If the broccoli isn’t cooked to your liking, you can continue to let it simmer on low until your desired texture. 

More low carb dinners to try

keto beef and broccoli recipe.

Keto Beef and Broccoli

5 from 181 votes
My keto beef and broccoli recipe combines juicy flank steak with tender broccoli in an umami-forward sauce. Ready in under 15 minutes and only 3 grams of net carbs!
Servings: 8 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Slice the steak against the grain, in bite sized strips. Place in a mixing bowl.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together your coconut oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar and mix well. Pour over the steak to ensure the sauce covers all the meat.
  • Heat a non-stick pan with one tablespoon of sesame oil. When hot, add your marinated steak and half the sauce it is in. Sear for 5 minutes, turning halfway through, for the steak to cook both sides.
  • Add the second tablespoon of sesame oil and add the broccoli and the rest of the sauce. Cook for 5 minutes, until the broccoli is tender. Reduce heat to low and continue simmering until the broccoli is cooked to your desired texture.

Notes

TO STORE: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator, in a covered container. The stir fry can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.
TO FREEZE: Freeze leftovers in the freezer, for up to 6 months. Be sure to keep them in either a whole portion or single portions, as they cannot be refrozen. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 235kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 26gFat: 13gSodium: 1771mgPotassium: 1141mgFiber: 3gVitamin A: 567IUVitamin C: 82mgCalcium: 104mgIron: 5mgNET CARBS: 3g
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Originally updated June 2022, updated and republished July 2024

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I am very picky with tastes from recipes and I can say that this is delicious! I tried it with the beef and the beef was chewy. So I would upgrade the beef or buy chicken. Either way, the flavor was delicious and I put. At the end I added a cup of cauliflower rice in the same pan. Was great!

  2. 5 stars
    Lemon juice is referred to in the introduction but does not appear in the actual recipe. Where was lemon juice added and how much was used?

  3. 5 stars
    So delicious and so easy to make. This is the second time making this. I get my Flank steaks at Sams Club. They seem to be the best prices.

  4. 5 stars
    Made this with venison meat. It was really good. I didn’t have enough soy sauce on hand, so I made up the difference with teriyaki & worcestershire sauce. My husband isn’t focused on carbs, so I made a small batch of wild rice to add to his serving. Will definitely make this again.

  5. 5 stars
    Made it for dinner last night, and my Sauce-Snob husband raved! I only had a reduced sodium Soy Sauce on hand, but it worked fine. I loved how simple this was to make. It’s definitely going to be on the menu again at my house! Thank you!

  6. 5 stars
    I omitted the garlic as I’m sensitive and subbed coconut aminos for the soy sauce. It tastes amazing. I’m so impressed. I love so many of your dessert recipes and keto bread recipes, this one most definitely did not disappoint. So much flavor. I will say I probably only had a cup or two of broccoli and about 1.5lb of beef so I have some extra sauce… but I’ll just marinate the hamburger steaks I have with the leftover. Thanks for sharing this recipe, Arman. Always love experimenting with the recipes you have!!

  7. 5 stars
    GREAT Flavoring! 5 stars for sure.
    We are on the keto diet, so I modified the recipe a bit. Loved it!

  8. 5 stars
    I had a similar express broccoli beef at a restaurant recently and found myself craving it and wondering if I could recreate it today. Thanks, Arman for sharing!

  9. Hey great work Arman. I had never tried Broccoli Beef from Panda. But after reading your blog and seeing the snap of the majestic food, I tried. Oh Boy! It was great. And now I am going to really try it out just like how you had done. Thanks man…I am simply going bazinga over this…Never thought beef would go this well with broccoli.

  10. Is there any way you could give nutritional data? Carb gr? Fat? Sugar? Calories per serving ?

    1. Hi Rachel! I don’t count calories but if you plug the info into a nutrition calculator it should provide it for you 🙂 Enjoy!

  11. Back in my carnivorous days, I used to order take out chinese and it was always Beef with Broccoli. Of course, I never actually ate the beef, just the the broccoli, but I liked the flavor or maybe it was just all the salt.

  12. No way, I can’t believe someone in SF suggested Panda Express to you when you were really a stone’s throw away from Chinatown!

    Where’s my bowl of rice so I can dip into this??

  13. I haven’t had any red meat in awhile but now I am a cravinggggggggggggg – bring on the cow, I will bring my knife!

  14. I have never eaten at panda express. I don’t think I have actually even seen a panda express before. This sounds like such an easy recipe and my husband would love it!

  15. I definitely crave sugar the more I eat sugar! I try to save sweet treats for late in the day, so there is less of the day left to crave sweets, haha.

  16. Since I’m by myself for Christmas, I’m thinking about grabbing some Chinese takeout on my way home from work – but now I don’t have an excuse not to make it at home. We’ll see though. I do love broccoli beef! I think I’ve only eaten at Panda Express once that I can remember.

    1. I’m by myself too (Well for half a day). Let’s eat Asian take out and pretend we’re eating turkey. OR whole foods.

  17. Haha, I love that you have the gluten-free label on there! Really helps me out :p
    But this is amazing and looks exactly like the meals that my grandma would make me as a kid… albeit healthier. Will try this one day when I’m craving something from my childhood

  18. i’ll take this over panda express any day. I actually fear that place now –> um, MSG laden and plus I got food poisoning. ARMAN takeout please!

  19. Yum! I haven’t had Asian take-out in forever, but there’s a great place near my work that I’ll go every now and then and order their beef and broccoli.
    I definitely find myself craving more sugar after having sugar. I don’t eat sweets all the time, so I do notice that the second I have one cookie I suddenly want another!

  20. I totally see your sister eating Sweet an Sour without chicken. LOL.
    This looks so good, Arman. I am always a little disgusted by our Chinese Take outs, cause normally, everything is just drenched in that slimy Sweet and Sour Stuff.
    I didn’t have ground beef in forever, must change!

  21. Man id feel like a covergirl eating this! Love the healthy take on it. I think Ive been to Panda Express once but either way I know your version kicks way more ass. I was reading thru the ingredient list and awesome. All stuff that will make me feel like a rockstar. saving this one for sure.

  22. Yummmm, Arman!! Did I mention I eat beef now? Like… a lot. And I am also avoiding sugar these days after being a former sugar addict (especially a fruit addict), so I will literally make this is week, tag you in a photo and boom!! Can’t wait to try. Miss ya. PS Panda Express kinda sucks soooo I have faith this is way better.

    1. Dude. I eat kale now. Granted, it’s fried to a crisp but it’s still cale.

      I MISS YOU MORE. Also, post Christmas you bet I’m on the sugar free challenge.

  23. For some reason, whenever I see ground beef, I only ever think tacos. Weird, right? But this looks delicious.

    I can’t say I’m a Panda Express fan, but I do love mongolian chicken from a local takeout place.

    1. Thanks Kay! Haha, I can see that association but this was quicker than skirt steak…

      Oh Mongolian chicken is epic. So little chicken. So so good.

  24. Love the ingredients and totally trying this. Asian style paleo friendly recipes are kind of a block for me for some reason! I have also prefaced a few of my recipes with how un-photogenic a food is. I think you made this look awesome, but I totally hear you! My chipotle chicken salad looks inedible in photos 🙂

  25. Ohh the classic broccoli beef. The overdose of salt and sugar all at once. Thank you for this healthier recipe!!
    The Halal Guys food cart in NYC is by far my favorite take away food. If you haven’t tried their food yet (it has to be the one on 53rd and 6th), you haven’t experienced the city. More reason for you to come back to America!!!

    1. Nooo…we need to stick to our roots and add the extra msg 😉

      I can’t believe you didn’t tell me the specific address. Add this to our list too. Geez, Al, we’re going to get fat. Cannot wait.

  26. I personally think that it is the food that is the hardest to photograph is the best tasting. As long as it tastes good, that’s all that matters.

    I think more dishes should have broccoli in them.

  27. I haven’t actually eaten this dish at Panda Express but have cetainly been tempted by it. I love broccoli and beef and have never had it with ground beef, only shaved roasted beef. I am gonna try this! Thanks.

    1. DON’T eat at Panda Express. You’ll lose any respect you had left for me after I proclaimed love for Starbucks…

  28. Nothing beats Thai takeout! I love pad thai and tom yum soup!!! I can’t do chinese takeout though. Gives me the worst stomachache ever! Which, sometimes, the stomachache is worth it!

  29. I loooooove Chinese takeout when I’m seriously craving something salty (aside from pizza, of course!). Yikes about the sugar…

  30. I totally used to eat beef and broccoli years ago when we got Chinese take-out (when I still ate red meat, haha!) Chinese food was always the best!

  31. I love chinese food but I hate all the sugar! Eating sugar definitely leads to more cravings though. I’ve noticed that things are way too sweet most of the time and crave fruit for sweetness! I would love to learn how to make authentic chinese food. Not just the sugary Americanized version!

  32. Mmmm this beef dish looks yummy- and so much more appealing than the one at Panda Express. I’m all for the sweet & savoury combo but having 20g+ of sugar in an otherwise savoury meal is just absurd! I’m so with you about craving more sugar after eating sugar. I remember when I did Whole 30, I completely lost the craving for my otherwise daily dose of chocolate…and suddenly fruit started tasting “too” sweet! As for my favourite Asian take-out, obvi sushi gets my vote!