This Low Carb Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry is a flavorful and easy dish perfect for those looking for a low-carb or keto meal. Tender slices of beef are seared and paired with crisp broccoli, all coated in a savory, slightly sweet sauce. This dish is quick to make and pairs well with cauliflower rice for a complete, satisfying meal.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
For the Stir Fry:
- 3/4 pound flank steak, sliced into 1/4-inch thick strips
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
For the Sauce:
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons swerve sweetener
Directions
- Brown the Beef: Toss the sliced beef with corn starch until well-coated. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the beef and cook for less than 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until browned. Transfer the beef to a plate and set aside.
- Cook the Broccoli: In the same pan, add broccoli florets and beef broth. Simmer while stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes, until the broccoli is tender.
- Make the Sauce: In a saucepan, add soy sauce and swerve sweetener. Stir over medium-low heat until it begins to simmer, about 5 minutes. Keep warm over low heat.
- Finish and Serve: Once the broccoli is tender, return the beef to the pan and pour the sauce over. Stir to coat everything in sauce, bring it to a simmer for a couple of minutes, and serve.
Nutrients
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 109mg
- Sodium: 1620mg
- Net Carbs: 11.5g
- Total Carbs: 14g
- Dietary Fiber: 2.5g
- Sugars: 5g
- Protein: 42g
- Vitamin A: 58% DV
- Vitamin C: 151% DV
- Calcium: 7% DV
- Iron: 18% DV
Why Low Carb Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry is a Perfect Meal Choice
This stir fry is a great meal option for anyone looking to reduce their carb intake or maintain a keto-friendly diet. With just 11.5 grams of net carbs per serving, it’s an ideal choice for those trying to keep their carb count low while still enjoying a flavorful, hearty meal. The combination of lean beef, broccoli, and a light yet savory sauce ensures that each bite is full of nutrients, without compromising on flavor. It’s a great way to get a satisfying meal without relying on heavy, carb-filled sides like rice or noodles.
Nutritional Benefits of Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
The star of this dish, the beef, provides an excellent source of protein, making it a filling and muscle-building component. Flank steak, used in this recipe, is lean and packed with nutrients such as iron and B vitamins, especially B12, which is essential for energy production and red blood cell formation. Protein plays a crucial role in promoting muscle growth and repair, keeping you fuller for longer, and supporting a healthy immune system.
Meanwhile, broccoli is a powerhouse vegetable, providing vitamin C, which boosts the immune system, and fiber, which aids digestion and supports gut health. In addition, broccoli is rich in vitamin A, which supports vision health, and iron, which contributes to the production of hemoglobin, essential for transporting oxygen throughout the body.
The soy sauce and swerve sweetener sauce creates a rich umami flavor while maintaining a low-carb profile. The sweetener substitutes sugar, making it a healthy alternative for those watching their sugar intake. The combination of flavors in the sauce is what ties the dish together, providing depth and savory richness without excessive carbs or calories.
Quick and Easy Meal for Busy Weeknights
One of the standout features of this recipe is its quick cooking time. In just 30 minutes, you can have a delicious, healthy meal ready to serve, making it the perfect option for busy weeknights. The prep time is minimal, and most of the cooking is done in a single pan, making cleanup easy and hassle-free.
With just a few simple ingredients, including flank steak, broccoli, and basic pantry staples like soy sauce and beef broth, this meal is both cost-effective and easy to execute. The beef is sliced into thin strips, ensuring that it cooks quickly and evenly. The broccoli is cooked until tender, but still retains a slight crunch, making each bite satisfying and full of texture.
Versatility and Customization
While this recipe is already quite balanced and flavorful, it is also highly customizable. For instance, you can easily adjust the level of sweetness or saltiness in the sauce by tweaking the amount of swerve sweetener or soy sauce. Additionally, if you’re not a fan of flank steak, you can easily swap it out for other cuts of beef, such as sirloin or round steak.
If you prefer a milder flavor, you can omit or reduce the amount of crushed red pepper flakes in the sauce, allowing the savory flavor to shine through without the heat. The broccoli can also be substituted with other low-carb vegetables, such as cauliflower, zucchini, or snow peas, depending on what’s in season or what you have on hand. This versatility makes it easy to adjust the recipe to your preferences or based on the ingredients you already have in your kitchen.
Pairing the Stir Fry: A Low-Carb Meal That Satisfies
Although the Low Carb Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry is delicious on its own, it can also be paired with a variety of sides to complement the dish. The most obvious choice for a low-carb alternative to traditional rice is cauliflower rice, which can easily be made at home by pulsing cauliflower florets in a food processor and sautéing them with a bit of olive oil and salt. This pairing offers the perfect balance, as the cauliflower rice takes on the flavors of the stir fry while keeping the meal low-carb and filling.
If you prefer something a bit heartier, you can serve the stir fry with a small portion of quinoa, though it’s important to note that quinoa is slightly higher in carbs than cauliflower rice. However, quinoa is still a great whole grain choice that provides additional fiber and protein.
For those who enjoy a bit of crunch or extra texture, you could also serve the stir fry with toasted sesame seeds or chopped peanuts, both of which complement the Asian-inspired flavors and provide additional healthy fats.
A Meal for All Lifestyles
The Low Carb Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry is an excellent choice for a variety of dietary needs. It fits perfectly into a keto or paleo lifestyle, and with the use of low-sodium soy sauce and swerve sweetener, it’s a healthier alternative to traditional stir fry recipes that are often loaded with sugar and high-carb ingredients. It’s also a great option for those following a low-carb diet who want to enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal without compromising their dietary goals.
The dish is gluten-free, making it an excellent option for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. With the right adjustments, such as using coconut aminos in place of soy sauce, this dish can also be soy-free. The use of simple, whole food ingredients also makes it ideal for clean eating and meal prepping.
Conclusion: A Flavorful, Healthy, and Satisfying Meal
In conclusion, Low Carb Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry is a fantastic dish that provides both flavor and nutritional value. The combination of tender beef, crisp-tender broccoli, and a savory-sweet sauce makes it a dish that is both satisfying and wholesome. With its quick cooking time, ease of preparation, and ability to be customized to suit different tastes, this stir fry is sure to become a go-to meal for anyone looking for a healthy, low-carb option.
Whether you’re following a keto diet, paleo lifestyle, or simply looking for a flavorful meal that won’t derail your healthy eating habits, this dish is a perfect choice. It’s simple, quick, and delicious, making it an ideal weeknight dinner or meal prep option. The addition of cauliflower rice or a side of your choice enhances the dish while keeping it low-carb, making it a complete and satisfying meal for all tastes.