Craving takeout but want something healthier and faster? This Panda Express beef and broccoli copycat has restaurant-quality flavor in just 30 minutes using juicy flank steak, crisp broccoli, & a simple soy-honey glaze that rivals the original recipe without any added sugars.
Many restaurant dishes have gluten, so as a food blogger who eats entirely gluten-free, my specialty is recreating the best copycat recipes using gluten-free, whole ingredients without sacrificing flavor!
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Recipe Difficulty: Easy
- Cooking Method: Stovetop stir-fry
- Main Ingredients: Flank steak, broccoli, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, dairy-free
- Serves: 4
- Calories: 633 per serving
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Really enjoyed this recipe and how easy it was to make. I had all of the ingredients in my pantry, always a plus!
- rhiana
The beauty of this homemade broccoli beef Panda Express style is in its simplicity, no mysterious ingredients, just real, whole foods. The flank steak (sliced against the grain) stays tender, while the broccoli maintains its crunch without turning mushy.
Love copycat recipes? Try my Copycat Roots El Jefe Bowl, Easy Copycat Cava Bowls, or my Erewhon White Bean & Kale Salad.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in 30 minutes.
- Healthier: Less sodium, uses quality beef, no refined sugars.
- Budget-Friendly: Costs half what you'd spend at the restaurant.
- Meal-Prep Friendly: Stays delicious for 5 days in the fridge.
- Naturally Gluten-Free: Swaps tamari for regular soy sauce.
- One-Pan: Minimal cleanup means more time to enjoy dinner.
Panda Express Beef and Broccoli Key Ingredients
- Flank Steak: Lean, tender, and perfect when sliced thin against the grain, so it cooks fast and absorbs the sauce.
- Broccoli: Keeps a bright, crisp-tender texture with a quick cook; uniform pieces help it cook evenly.
- Tamari: Adds the savory base; tamari is smoother, less salty, and naturally gluten-free.
- Honey: Brings balanced sweetness and helps create a glossy sauce.
- Sesame Oil: A little goes a long way & adds a nutty, restaurant-style flavor.
- Fresh Ginger and Garlic: Essential spices that give the dish its bold taste.
Substitutions & Variations
- Protein: Sirloin, skirt, or flat iron works best; you can also use thinly sliced chicken, tofu, shrimp, or thinly sliced pork.
- Tamari: Use gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos.
- Vegan: Swap honey with maple syrup or agave & tofu instead of beef.
- Veggies: Try broccolini, snap peas, or bell peppers.
- Spicy: Add chili crunch, chili garlic sauce, or red pepper flakes.
- Low Carb: Serve over cauliflower rice.
How To Make Panda Express Beef and Broccoli
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup of jasmine or white rice until the water runs clear. Combine with 2 cups water, bring to a boil, then simmer covered on low for 15-18 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before fluffing.
- Step 2: Pat 2 pounds of flank steak dry and slice ¼-inch thick against the grain for tender strips. Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Cook steak strips in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Set aside.
- Step 3: Whisk together ½ cup soy sauce (or tamari), ¼ cup honey, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon grated ginger.
- Step 4: Add a splash of oil to the skillet, then the broccoli for 5-6 minutes until bright green and tender but still crisp.
- Step 5: Return the steak to the skillet, pour in the sauce, and toss for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Serve over rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Expert Tips
- Slice Cold Meat: Freeze the steak 15 minutes before slicing for cleaner, uniform strips.
- High Heat: Keep the pan hot for a better sear on the steak.
- Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Cook in batches to avoid steaming the meat.
- Fresh Ginger is Key: Use freshly grated ginger for bright, zingy flavor.
- Taste and Adjust: Adjust sauce sweetness or saltiness before serving.
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Pairing Ideas
Pair this recipe with my PF Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps or Hot Honey Brussels Sprouts.
Love beef recipes? Try my Steak and Arugula Salad, Teriyaki Beef Bowls, or Steak and Rice Bowls with Chimichurri.
Frequently Asked Questions
Panda Express uses a proprietary sauce, but the base is soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, ginger, and sugar. This recipe replicates that glossy, savory-sweet profile using honey instead of refined sugar and skipping the oyster sauce for a cleaner ingredient list.
The dish contains thinly sliced beef (typically flank), fresh broccoli florets, and a soy-based sauce with garlic and ginger. The restaurant version may include oyster sauce, cornstarch for thickening, and vegetable oil.
Core ingredients include: flank steak, broccoli, soy sauce, honey (or sugar), sesame oil, fresh garlic, fresh ginger, salt, and pepper. Served over steamed white rice with green onions as garnish.
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Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment and rating below. Also, share it on socials to let others know what you think! Be sure to tag @entirelyemmy so I can share your masterpiece with my followers! ✨
📖 Recipe
Panda Express Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Flank Steak
- 1 Cup Rice
- 1 Bag Broccoli Florets 12 ounces
- ½ Cup Green Onions chopped
- ½ Cup Tamari or gluten-free soy sauce
- 4 Cloves Garlic minced
- ¼ Cup Honey
- 2 Tablespoons Sesame Oil for sauce & cooking
- 1 Tablespoon Ginger freshly grated
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Rinse 1 cup of jasmine or white rice until the water runs clear. Combine with 2 cups water, bring to a boil, then simmer covered on low for 15-18 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before fluffing.
- Pat 2 pounds of flank steak dry and slice ¼-inch thick against the grain for tender strips. Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Cook steak strips in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Set aside.
- Whisk together ½ cup soy sauce (or tamari), ¼ cup honey, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon grated ginger.
- Add a splash of oil to the skillet, then the broccoli for 5-6 minutes until bright green and tender but still crisp.
- Return the steak to the skillet, pour in the sauce, and toss for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Serve over rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- Slice Cold Meat: Freeze the steak 15 minutes before slicing for uniform strips.
- High Heat: Keep the pan hot for a better sear on the steak.
- Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Cook in batches to avoid steaming the meat.
- Fresh Ginger is Key: Use freshly grated ginger for a bright flavor.
- Taste and Adjust: Adjust sauce sweetness or saltiness before serving.
Nutrition
Save This Recipe!
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Rhiana says
Really enjoyed this recipe and how easy it was to make. I had all of the ingredients in my pantry—always a plus!