Beef Broccoli Lo Mein (Printable)
Tender beef, crisp broccoli, and noodles tossed in a rich sesame-soy sauce for a quick meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef
01 - 10.5 oz flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
02 - 1 tbsp soy sauce
03 - 1 tsp cornstarch
04 - 1 tsp sesame oil
→ Vegetables
05 - 2 cups broccoli florets
06 - 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
07 - 2 green onions, sliced
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
→ Noodles
10 - 9 oz lo mein noodles or spaghetti
→ Sauce
11 - 3 tbsp soy sauce
12 - 2 tbsp oyster sauce
13 - 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
14 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
15 - 1 tbsp sesame oil
16 - 1 tsp sugar
17 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Garnish
18 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
19 - Additional sliced green onions (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Combine sliced flank steak with 1 tbsp soy sauce, cornstarch, and 1 tsp sesame oil in a bowl. Allow to marinate for 10 minutes.
02 - Cook lo mein noodles according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and black pepper until combined.
04 - Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Stir-fry the marinated beef for 2 to 3 minutes until just browned. Remove and set aside.
05 - Add another 1 tbsp oil to the pan. Stir-fry broccoli and red bell pepper for 2 to 3 minutes until tender-crisp. Add garlic and ginger, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
06 - Return the beef to the pan. Add the cooked noodles and pour in the sauce. Toss everything together for 2 to 3 minutes until evenly coated and heated through.
07 - Stir in sliced green onions. Remove from heat, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, and serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in 35 minutes flat, which means weeknight dinners stop feeling like a negotiation with the clock.
- The sauce coats every noodle and vegetable evenly, creating this deeply savory experience that tastes like you've been cooking Asian food your whole life.
- Tender beef and crisp broccoli stay distinct—no mushy, overcooked mess—when you nail the timing.
02 -
- Don't add sauce too early or it'll reduce too much and burn on the sides of the wok—add it at the very end when everything is present and ready to be coated together.
- The cornstarch on the beef isn't optional; it creates a texture difference that separates a good lo mein from a great one.
03 -
- Slice your beef while it's partially frozen—it's easier to cut thin, and it'll thaw as it cooks, ensuring even, tender results.
- Toast your sesame seeds yourself in a dry pan for 2 minutes; the difference in flavor is remarkable and worth the small effort.