I’ll always have a soft spot for something that takes a bit more time and effort (like slow-simmered soups or stews, or a fancy dessert), but most days we’re eating meals that are fairly straight-forward and simple. That never (EVER!) means we sacrifice flavor, and this healthy beef and broccoli is one of those dynamite recipes that hits all my favorite criteria–fast, healthy, easy, and delicious.
Takeout made lighter at home - Healthy Beef and Broccoli! This one is gluten free, paleo, and Whole30 approved!
Thinly sliced beef gets dredged in a little bit of arrowroot (or cornstarch, if you’re not paleo/don’t have it), and a super-quick sear in the pan. Paired with tender, delicious broccolini (or broccoli), and a three-ingredient sauce, the flavor combination is magic. I love when I can coax as much flavor as possible out of a short ingredient list.
The beef stays tender, the broccolini is cooked just enough, and the savory sauce ties everything together. Serve this with a side of fresh pineapple, and some rice or cauliflower rice, and dinner is done!
Healthy Beef and Broccoli is a fast, easy dinner idea you'll all LOVE. Plus, it's gluten free, paleo, and Whole30 approved!
NOTES ON THE RECIPE:
***THIS RECIPE HAS BEEN UPDATED*** Right when I released it, the proportions were a bit different and several of you mentioned that it was too salty. I re-tested it and adjusted the amounts this summer. I haven’t had any “too salty” complaints since. That said…
Go low sodium. Whether you use soy sauce, tamari, etc. I always suggest using low sodium sauce. If you use regular soy sauce/tamari, it can get too salty. If you can’t find low-sodium sauce, you can add less soy/tamari, or add a little more water to dilute it a bit. (I haven’t found this to be a problem with coconut aminos.) Also note that for this to be Whole30 compliant, you will want to stick with coconut aminos.
What kind of steak? The big thing here is something fairly lean. I tend to buy either top sirloin steak or loin tip steak. The thinner you slice it, the faster it cooks and the better the dish. Also, do keep an eye on it, since it really only takes 60-90 seconds per side to cook through.
Why broccolini? I’ve been on a broccolini kick because it’s so tender–even the stems! I don’t have any waste, and the flavor is a little bit more mild. I’ve also made it with broccoli with great results. Use whatever you can find!
Change it up! Not digging broccoli? No problem! Try snow peas, snap peas, bell pepper strips, or mushrooms. It’s all good.
Arrowroot vs. cornstarch. Arrowroot is a grain-free starch that’s often used as a thickener and is common in paleo cooking. If you don’t have it, feel free to use cornstarch. It lends a bit of crispiness to the beef and helps thicken the sauce. One thing that can make arrowroot a bit trickier to work with is that if you boil something too long with arrowroot in it, it actually loosens back up and thins out again. If you’re an absolute beginner cook, you may find cornstarch easier to work with, but if you’re fairly comfortable in the kitchen, it’ll be no problem if you follow the directions.