This easy gluten free beef and broccoli is a favorite family meal at my house. It's very quick to make, so I like it for busy weeknights. It's also the meal that got my picky son to like broccoli, so win!
This simple broccoli beef recipe is made both without cornstarch and without soy sauce, so it's really allergen friendly. The tender beef is cooked right in the savory sauce making clean up a breeze! It's an easy one pot dish and can be served with white rice, brown rice, noodles, or even cauliflower rice for a low carb alternative.
If you're looking for more quick weeknight meals your whole family will love, check out my Mexican beef and rice skillet or this easy sheet pan sausage dinner that makes out weekly rotation.
Ingredient Notes
This easy dinner recipe uses a handful of simple ingredients that can be found in most grocery stores. It is gluten free, dairy free and whole 30 compliant as written.
- Gluten Free Beef Broth - Store bought broths are a place that it's common to find hidden gluten. So be sure to check that your broth is marked gluten free.
- Coconut Aminos - I try to stay soy free as much as possible, so I prefer coconut aminos. You could also use gluten free soy sauce or tamari in the same measure.
- Sesame Oil - This oil is typically used in Asian dishes and adds a lot of the flavor.
- Crushed Red Pepper - I love to add a little spice to our beef marinade. If you want it less spicy, you can omit the red pepper.
- Garlic - A little garlic will add a lot of flavor to this dish.
- Flank Steak or Skirt Steak - Use your favorite cut. If you choose skirt steak, the cooking time will be reduced since it is a thinner cut of meat. Cut your beef against the grain to make the pieces more tender.
- Fresh Broccoli Florets - I typically use a full head of broccoli cut into florets, which yields about 4 cups.
- Tapioca Starch (also called Tapioca Flour) - To make this corn free, I have used tapioca starch in place of the normal cornstarch used in Chinese restaurants. If you're not corn free, corn starch will work fine. The measurement is the same.
See the recipe card below for full ingredient list with measurements.
Substitutions or Variations
- Tapioca Starch - you can substitute and equal amount of cornstarch or arrowroot powder and prepare in the same fashion.
- Coconut Aminos - you can substitute gluten-free soy sauce or gluten-free tamari. It will change the flavor of the dish slightly to be a little less sweet. If you prefer the sweeter flavor add 2 tablespoon of brown sugar to the soy sauce.
- Fresh Broccoli - You can substitute with frozen broccoli.
- Lower Cost - Save money by making this recipe with ground beef instead of steak.
How to Make Gluten-Free Beef and Broccoli
- STEP 1 - Combine beef broth, coconut aminos, sesame oil, red pepper and garlic in a small bowl. Whisk together.
- STEP 2 - Cut beef into bite sized pieces.
- STEP 3 - Transfer the cut meat into a large skillet with a lid. Pour the broth mixture over the meat. Cover and bring to a simmer. Cook about 15 minutes until browned.
- STEP 4 - Add the cut broccoli to the cooked beef and continue to cook until the broccoli is done to your liking. Alternatively, you can steam the broccoli separately and cook the beef while the broccoli steams to speed things along.
- STEP 5 - Combine the starch with an equal amount of water in a small bowl to make a slurry. Whisk into the broth mixture. Cook for 1-2 minutes more while it thickens.
Serve immediately over rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice.
Storage
This beef and broccoli recipe makes great leftovers. You can store the beef along with the prepared rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat simply microwave until warm, about 2-3 minutes on high heat. Ensure the dish reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees for food safety.
Recipe FAQs
It is not gluten free. Most Chinese food uses soy sauce, along with other ingredients, which contain gluten or are contaminated during processing. To make gluten free Chinese food you will need to use alternative products.
You can purchase gluten free soy sauce or Tamari, which are both equivalent substitutes for regular soy sauce. You can also use coconut aminos in place of soy sauce although it has a sweeter flavor, rather than the normal salty taste of soy sauce.
Cornstarch, tapioca starch or arrowroot powder are all suitable thickening agents for the beef sauce.
More Asian inspired gluten free dinners to try:
If you try this recipe, please leave a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the comments below.
Recipe
Gluten Free Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ Cup Gluten Free Beef Broth ensure it's gluten free
- ¾ Cup Coconut Aminos
- 1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil
- ¾ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic
- 1 pound Flank Steak
- 4 Cup Broccoli cut into florets
- 2 Tablespoon Tapioca Starch
- 2 Tablespoon Water
Instructions
- Combine the beef broth, coconut aminos, sesame oil, red pepper and garlic in a small bowl. Whisk together.1 ¼ Cup Gluten Free Beef Broth, ¾ Cup Coconut Aminos, 1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil, ¾ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes, 1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic
- Cut the flank steak into bite sized pieces, about 1-inch by 1-inch.1 pound Flank Steak
- Transfer the steak pieces into a large saute pan with a lid. Pour the beef broth over the steak.
- Cover and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once beef has browned, add the broccoli florets. Cover and continue to cook until broccoli is done to your liking.4 Cup Broccoli
- Reduce the heat to low.
- Combine the starch and water in a small dish. Stir together to make a slurry. Make a well in the middle of the beef/broccoli. While whisking the broth, pour the slurry into the dish. It will begin to thicken almost immediately.2 Tablespoon Tapioca Starch, 2 Tablespoon Water
- Cook for 1-2 minutes to allow all of the broth to thicken. Serve immediately over rice or cauliflower rice.
Notes
Tiffany is the recipe developer, stylist and food photographer behind Well Fed Baker. As a lifelong baker who had to go gluten free and dairy free in 2016, Tiffany strives to share allergen friendly recipes that never feel like they are free from anything.
L Smith says
This looks so good and pretty easy to make too, I can’t wait to make it.