Beef and Broccoli Lo Mein (Printable version)
Tender beef, crisp broccoli, and noodles combined in a rich sesame-soy sauce for a flavorful dish.
# Ingredient List:
→ 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 Make It:
01 - Combine flank steak slices with 1 tbsp soy sauce, cornstarch, and 1 tsp sesame oil in a bowl; let marinate for 10 minutes.
02 - Cook lo mein noodles according to package directions, drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
03 - Whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and black pepper in a small bowl.
04 - Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat; stir-fry beef for 2 to 3 minutes until browned, then remove and set aside.
05 - Add another 1 tbsp oil to the same pan; stir-fry broccoli and bell pepper for 2 to 3 minutes until tender-crisp. Add garlic and ginger, stir-frying for 30 seconds until aromatic.
06 - Return beef to the pan, add cooked noodles and pour in sauce. Toss 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 Suggestions:
01 -
- Everything cooks in under 20 minutes, making it faster than takeout and infinitely more satisfying.
- The sesame-soy sauce clings to every strand of noodle without being heavy or overly sweet.
- You can taste each ingredient clearly: the beef stays tender, the broccoli snaps when you bite it, and the garlic never burns.
02 -
- High heat is non-negotiable; if your pan isnt hot enough, the beef will steam and the vegetables will go limp instead of getting that smoky sear.
- Rinse the noodles after cooking or they will stick together in one massive clump the second you try to toss them.
- Dont crowd the pan when you cook the beef; if you add too much at once, it releases moisture and boils instead of browning.
03 -
- Freeze the beef for 15 minutes before slicing; it firms up just enough to make thin, even cuts without any struggle.
- Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for a minute before sprinkling them on top, it brings out a deeper, nuttier flavor that store-bought toasted seeds sometimes lack.
- Use a wok if you have one; the shape and heat distribution make tossing easier and give you those slightly charred edges that taste like a restaurant made it.