Panda Express Beef and Broccoli is a flavorful, savory dish made with tender strips of beef and crisp broccoli, all coated in a delicious, slightly sweet soy-based sauce. The dish is quick to make, with the beef and broccoli stir-fried together and simmered in a rich sauce made from soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a touch of oyster sauce for depth. It’s a perfect balance of savory and slightly sweet flavors, making it a popular choice for a quick homemade takeout-style meal.
Craving Panda Express Beef and Broccoli? This easy copycat recipe lets you enjoy the delicious flavors of the restaurant classic right at home. With tender strips of beef, fresh broccoli, and a savory soy-based sauce, this dish is quick to make and perfect for weeknight dinners. The balance of sweet and savory in the sauce, combined with the crisp-tender broccoli, makes for a satisfying meal that’s just as good as the original!
In less than the time for the delivery person to come to your house, you can replicate this dish. Serve it on a bed of Instant Pot Jasmine Rice for a complete meal.
As most of you know, I love a great Chinese Feast, and some of my favorite Air Fryer Chinese Inspired Recipes are: AIR FRYER CHINESE SPARE RIBS, INSTANT POT VEGETARIAN CHINESE FRIED RICE, AIR FRYER CHINESE DONUTS, and AIR FRYER, CHINESE SESAME CHICKEN.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, taking only 30 minutes to make from start to finish, so you can enjoy a takeout-style meal in no time.
- Flavorful: This alternative to takeout while still being full of flavor.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the sauce’s sweetness or spice level to your taste, making it as mild or bold as you prefer.
- Restaurant-Quality Taste: With simple ingredients and easy steps, this recipe captures the savory, slightly sweet, and umami-rich flavors of the classic Panda Express dish.
- Affordable: Skip the delivery fee and make this delicious meal at home for a fraction of the cost, without sacrificing flavor or quality.
Ingredients Needed
- Sirloin tip steak, thinly sliced into bite-sized pieces.
- Soy sauce to add saltiness and umami flavor.
- Garlic powder for a savory, aromatic base.
- Onion powder to enhance depth of flavor.
- Cornstarch for thickening and creating a crispy texture.
- Broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Beef and Broccoli Sauce: Light soy sauce, beef stock, brown sugar, cornstarch, garlic, rice vinegar, and ginger.
- Optional: Sliced scallions to garnish and add freshness.
How to Make Panda Express Beef and Broccoli
Step One: Place the steak in a medium-sized bowl and toss with the soy sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add the cornstarch and mix it in, so the beef is coated. Set aside.
Step Two: Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F, for 3-4 minutes, using air fryer setting. Add the broccoli to the basket and spray with cooking spray. Shake the basket to coat the broccoli and cook for 8 minutes, shaking the basket every 2 minutes until tender-crisp and starting to brown. Set aside.
Step Three: Spray the basket with cooking spray. Add the beef to the basket in a single layer, spray with cooking spray. Air Fry for 15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes, and coating with more cooking spray. Beef will be cooked through and lightly crispy.
Step Four: For the sauce, in a small bowl, whisk together the light soy sauce, beef stock, brown sugar, cornstarch, garlic, rice vinegar, and ginger. Set aside. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the cooked beef and broccoli to the pan. Add the sauce, and toss everything to coat. Cook until the sauce is thickened, about 2 minutes. Serve with scallion garnish. Plate, serve, and enjoy!
Panda Express Beef and Broccoli Recipe Tips
- Slice the Beef Thinly: To ensure the beef cooks quickly and evenly, slice the sirloin tip steak as thinly as possible.
- Evenly Coat the Beef: After tossing the beef with soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and cornstarch, make sure each piece is evenly coated for the best texture.
- Use Cooking Spray: Spraying the beef and broccoli with cooking spray helps them crisp up and cook evenly in the air fryer.
- Monitor Cooking Time: Keep an eye on the beef, as cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the slices. Shake the basket every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Customize the Sauce: Adjust the sweetness or saltiness of the sauce by tweaking the brown sugar or soy sauce to your taste.
- Serve with Rice: For a more filling meal, serve the beef and broccoli with steamed white or brown rice.
- Garnish with Scallions: A sprinkle of fresh sliced scallions on top adds extra flavor and a nice visual touch.
Storing
- Storing: Store leftover Air Fryer Beef and Broccoli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure the beef and broccoli are completely cooled before sealing to preserve freshness.
- Freezing: To freeze, place cooled beef and broccoli in a freezer-safe container or bag. It can be stored for up to 3 months, but the texture of the broccoli may change upon reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 4-5 minutes until warmed through and crispy. Alternatively, you can reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, but it won’t be as crispy.
What To Serve With Beef and Broccoli Panda Express Recipe
Air Fryer Beef and Broccoli pairs perfectly with a variety of sides that complement its savory and crisp flavors. Serve it over a bed of steamed white or brown rice for a classic, satisfying meal. You can also enjoy it with noodles like lo mein or rice noodles for an Asian-inspired dish. For a lighter option, serve it with quinoa or cauliflower rice. If you’re looking for extra crunch, try adding some crispy spring rolls or a side salad with a tangy vinaigrette. Whatever you choose, this dish is versatile and can be customized to fit your taste!
Beef and Broccoli Panda Express Recipe Faqs
Can I use a different cut of beef? Yes, you can use other cuts like flank steak, ribeye, or sirloin. Just make sure to slice the beef thinly for even cooking.
Can I make this dish vegetarian? Absolutely! You can substitute the beef with tofu or another plant-based protein and still enjoy the same flavors.
How do I prevent the broccoli from getting too crispy? To prevent overcooking, monitor the broccoli closely and shake the basket occasionally. You can also reduce the air frying time slightly for a more tender texture.
Can I add more vegetables to the recipe? Definitely! You can add vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas to the mix for extra flavor and crunch.
How do I adjust the sauce if I like it sweeter or saltier? To make the sauce sweeter, add a little more brown sugar. For a saltier flavor, add extra soy sauce or a pinch of salt to taste.
Can I use frozen broccoli? Fresh broccoli is best for this recipe, but if you use frozen broccoli, make sure to thaw and pat it dry to prevent excess moisture.
7. How can I reheat leftovers?
Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F for 4-5 minutes, or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes for a quick meal.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- AIR FRYER CHINESE SPARE RIBS
- AIR FRYER CHINESE DONUTS
- INSTANT POT VEGETARIAN CHINESE FRIED RICE
- AIR FRYER, CHINESE SESAME CHICKEN
- AIR FRYER, CHINESE CHICKEN POTSTICKERS (SO EASY!)
Equipment Used
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Panda Express Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Description
Ingredients
- 1 pound sirloin tip steak, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 12 ounces broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
Beef and Broccoli Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup light soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons beef stock
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- Optional: Sliced scallions for garnish
Instructions
- Place the steak in a medium-sized bowl and toss with the soy sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add the cornstarch and mix it in, so the beef is coated. Set aside.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F, air fryer setting. Add the broccoli to the basket and spray with cooking spray.
- Shake the basket to coat the broccoli and cook for 8 minutes, shaking the basket every 2 minutes until tender-crisp and starting to brown. Set aside.
- Spray the basket with cooking spray. Add the beef to the basket in a single layer, spray with cooking spray. Air Fry for 15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes, and coating with more cooking spray. Beef will be cooked through and lightly crispy.
- For the sauce, in a small bowl, whisk together the light soy sauce, beef stock, brown sugar, cornstarch, garlic, rice vinegar, and ginger. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the cooked beef and broccoli to the pan. Add the sauce, and toss everything to coat. Cook until the sauce is thickened, about 2 minutes.
- Serve with scallion garnish. Plate, serve, and enjoy!
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
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Charles G
When I first looked at the final result, I thought it looked rather dry. Boy was I wrong! Very tasty on top of Bird’s Eye garlic flavored riced cauliflower. I didn’t have rice vinegar, so I substituted Worcestershire sauce. The final result of the beef left a coating in my mouth; I’m not sure if it was the cornstarch (which I mixed in well) or the beef itself. Also, next time I would add a pound of broccoli florets as I ended up with a lot more beef than broccoli.
John
Amazing!
Janet Marshal
Love this recipe, can’t believe I made chinese take-out in my air fryer!
Danni Bravati
This was so good. My kids were in love.
Janice Beson
This was so good. I mean I couldn’t believe it, I made it in my own air fryer. My family loved it. so much better than take-out
Trish
my husband gave it 2 thumbs up and 5 stars Great recipe and super quick… the next time I make it though I think I’d use a bit less soya sauce and corn starch in the sauce at the end as it was really really thick snd the soya sauce was a bit over powering for me…( I’m very sensitive to strong flavours though) as I said my husband loved it and he is super duper picky!! Thankyou gor giving me yet another dinner win with my hubby😁