Copycat Panda Express Beef and Broccoli
If you love takeout but want to recreate it at home, this Copycat Panda Express Beef and Broccoli is your ticket to amazing takeout right from your kitchen. It’s tender, flavorful, and coated in a rich, savory sauce that tastes just like the restaurant version
This dish comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Pair it with our easy chicken fried rice recipe and air fryer egg rolls recipe for a full meal loaded with Asian flair. Add a little sweetness, as well, with these Nutella wontons.
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This copycat Panda Express beef and broccoli checks all the boxes:
- Quick and easy to make at home
- Better than takeout (and more affordable!)
- Tender beef with perfectly cooked broccoli
- Rich, savory sauce with a hint of sweetness
- Great for meal prep
If you love this recipe, you’ll enjoy our other easy skillet dishes like this cheesy ground beef pasta skillet or easy skillet enchilada pasta.
Key Ingredients
We’ve made this list to help you save time on your next trip to the grocery store. You can find the full amounts needed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Sirloin Steak: This is the main protein and star of the dish, providing rich, beefy flavor and tender texture.
- Soy Sauce: Forms the salty, umami base of the sauce, giving the dish its signature savory flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness that balances the soy sauce’s saltiness and helps create a glossy sauce.
- Cornstarch: Used to coat the beef and thicken the sauce, giving it that classic, silky, restaurant-style texture.
- Broccoli: Adds freshness, crunch, and balances the richness of the beef and sauce.
- Garlic: Provides bold, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall savory profile.
Variations
- Add More Veggies: Add carrots, snap peas, or baby corn for more flavor and texture.
- Change the Protein: Use chicken, pork, or shrimp instead of beef.
- Make It Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or chili sauce.
- Low-Carb: Serve this dish over cauliflower rice for reduced carbs.
How to Make Copycat Panda Express Beef and Broccoli
This is a quick overview of the steps needed to make this recipe. You can find the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Toss the steak with cornstarch, vinegar, and soy sauce.
- Sear the steak strips over medium-high heat until browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Pour any butter out of the pan. Then, add the sauce ingredients and whisk over medium-high heat until slightly thickened.
- Add the beef and broccoli and toss to coat.
Expert Tips
- Keep the Heat High: Preheat your pan to medium-high for quick browning.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Sear the beef in small batches to ensure they brown quickly.
- Use Fresh Broccoli: For the best texture and flavor, use fresh broccoli.
- Whisk Constantly: Whisk the sauce constantly to avoid scorching.
- Slice Against the Grain: Slice your steak against the grain for the most tender results.
Copycat Panda Express Beef and Broccoli FAQs
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Sirloin is a great choice, but flank steak or skirt steak also works well for tender, flavorful results.
Slice the beef thinly against the grain and don’t overcook it. The cornstarch coating also helps create that soft, velvety texture.
Yes! This dish reheats well, making it perfect for meal prep or leftovers.
Don’t overcook it. Lightly steaming or microwaving until just tender keeps it bright and slightly crisp.
Yes, just thaw and drain it well before using to avoid excess moisture in the dish.
It can be made gluten-free by using a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
It pairs perfectly with steamed rice, fried rice, noodles, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter option.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
You can freeze it, but keep in mind the broccoli may become softer after thawing and reheating.
Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for best texture, or microwave in short intervals, stirring in between.
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📖Recipe
Want to make this recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe, so you can find it later.
Copycat Panda Express Beef and Broccoli
Equipment
- large skillet or wok
- Mixing Bowl
- Microwave Safe Bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 1 pound sirloin steak thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch divided
- ⅔ cup lite soy sauce divided
- 2 tablespoons butter or oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup beef stock
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- ¼ cup water
Optional Garnish
- Scallions sliced
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss the sliced steak with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, rice vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce. Set aside.
- Heat butter or oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the steak in a single layer (cook in batches if needed) and sear for about 1 minute per side until browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine broccoli and water. Cover with a damp paper towel and microwave for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Carefully wipe out any excess oil from the skillet.
- Return the pan to medium-high heat and add the remaining soy sauce, beef stock, brown sugar, garlic, and remaining cornstarch.
- Whisk continuously until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Add the cooked beef and broccoli to the sauce and toss until everything is well coated and heated through.
- Serve hot over rice or noodles and garnish with scallions and sesame seeds if desired.
Disclaimer
Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
