One Lovely Life

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Healthy Beef and Broccoli (Paleo & Whole30)

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Healthy Beef and Broccoli – This paleo beef & broccoli is always a huge hit! Who knew this take-out favorite is so easy to make at home? And–BONUS–it’s paleo, gluten free, and Whole30 approved!

Healthy Beef and Broccoli from One Lovely Life
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.

Healthy Beef and Broccoli from One Lovely Life (Paleo & Whole30)

HERE’S WHAT I PUT IN MY HEALTHY BEEF & BROCCOLI:

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 five-ingredient sauce, the flavor combination is magic. I love when I can coax as much flavor as possible out of a short ingredient list. Here’s what you need to get started:

  • THINLY SLICED STEAK. You’ll be using thin slices of lean beef for this healthy beef & broccoli. I tend to buy either top sirloin steak or loin tip steak, but readers have made this with all kinds of steak over the years. PRO TIP: The thinner you slice it, the faster it cooks and the better the dish. Also, watch it while it cooks–it only takes 60-90 seconds per side to cook through.
  • ARROWROOT OR CORNSTARCH. The cornstarch does double duty in this beef and broccoli recipe. It thinly coats the beef which gives it a gorgeous seared texture, and it helps thicken the sauce. For Paleo or Whole30, be sure to use arrowroot instead of cornstarch.
  • BROCCOLI OR BROCCOLINI. To add some veggies and a pretty pop of green, you’ll add some fresh broccoli or broccolini. Either will work! See the notes section below for more details.
  • LOW-SODIUM SOY SAUCE, GLUTEN FREE TAMARI, OR COCONUT AMINOS. The base of our beef and broccoli sauce is a little gluten free tamari, soy sauce, or coconut aminos (paleo). I *highly* recommend using low-sodium if you’re using tamari or soy sauce. For paleo/Whole30, use the coconut aminos option. It’s naturally lower in sodium, so no worries there.
  • GINGER + GARLIC + BLACK PEPPER. Then, to round out the sauce’s flavor and give it some depth, I add a combination of ginger, garlic, and black pepper. It’s super flavorful without being spicy, and tastes incredible with the rest of the ingredients!

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!

Paleo and Whole30 Healthy Beef and Broccoli from One Lovely Life

NOTES ON THIS HEALTHY BEEF & BROCCOLI:

*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 accordingly, so it’s better! 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 DO YOU USE FOR BEEF & BROCCOLI? 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. (Remember it only takes 60-90 seconds per side to cook through!)

WHY BROCCOLINI? CAN I USE REGULAR BROCCOLI? 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 or what’s on sale!

OTHER VEGGIES TO TRY. Not digging broccoli? No problem! Try snow peas, snap peas, bell pepper strips, or mushrooms. It’s all good.

A TIP ABOUT USING ARROWROOT VS CORNSTARCH. 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.

 

Healthy Beef and Broccoli from One Lovely Life (Whole30 and Paleo)

LOVE THIS BEEF AND BROCCOLI? YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE…

HELFPUL FOR THIS RECIPE:

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Takeout made lighter at home - Healthy Beef and Broccoli! This one is gluten free, paleo, and Whole30 approved!

Healthy Beef and Broccoli

★★★★★

4.6 from 47 reviews
  • Author: One Lovely Life
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: about 4 servings. 1x
Print Recipe

Description

A takeout favorite gets a healthy makeover! This dish is easily paleo or gluten free, and comes together in no time! (See notes for Paleo/Whole30 tips!)

Scale

Ingredients

  • 3/4lb. lean steak (such as top sirloin, or loin tip) thinly sliced
  • 2 Tbsp arrowroot or cornstarch*
  • 1lb. broccolini (or broccoli), cut into 2” sections
  • 1/2 cup low sodium gluten free tamari, coconut aminos, or soy sauce*
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 tsp fresh ginger, minced
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, plus more to taste
  • 1/4–1/2 cup water, as desired
  • olive oil or coconut oil, for cooking

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine thinly sliced steak with arrowroot (or cornstarch) and a pinch of pepper. Toss to coat well.
  2. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, add a few slices of steak (not touching each other) to the pan. Cook 60-90 seconds per side, then transfer to a clean plate or bowl. Repeat with remaining steak, adding more oil to the pan as needed.
  3. When all the steak is cooked, add broccoli to the pan (again, if the pan is a bit dry, add a bit more oil). Cook 4-5 minutes, or until crisp-tender (cook longer if you like your broccoli softer).
  4. While the broccoli is cooking, mix up your sauce by combining the coconut aminos/tamari, garlic, ginger, and pepper.
  5. When broccoli is cooked through, transfer to plate/bowl with the steak. Pour sauce into the pan and stir to scrape up any browned bits. Return cooked broccoli and steak to the pan and stir to coat. The sauce should naturally thicken as it heats through and bubbles for a few minutes (3-5 minutes). If sauce is too thick, add a bit of water (or more coconut aminos/tamari).
  6. Serve warm!

Notes

*PALEO & WHOLE 30 Notes – For Whole30/Paleo, you *must* use coconut aminos and arrowroot to stay compliant.

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.)

  • Category: Main Dish, Beef
  • Method: Stir-Fry, Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American, Asian-American

Keywords: Beef & broccoli, beef and broccoli, healthy beef and broccoli, paleo beef and broccoli

Comments

  2. Paige says

    I tried this recipe with low sodium soy and it was delicious! My 2 boys thought it was better than our favorite restaurant. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  3. Rochelle says

    I made this tonight (using Tamari) and it was really salty and saucy. I loved the flavours but will half the sauce amount next time I make it.
    I served it over a bed of cauliflower rice and my 5 year old is devouring it.

    ★★★★

    Reply

    • Emily says

      Rochelle – So sorry it wasn’t to your taste! I use low-sodium tamari (see the recipe notes) and it seems to help. Otherwise, you can always add more water to the sauce to thin it out and dilute it a bit.

      Reply

      • Hannah says

        Wayyyy too salty!! If I make this again I will use just a quarter cup of tamari and the rest water.

        ★★★

        Reply

        • Emily says

          Sounds like a good solution for next time. You may also prefer using coconut aminos which is significantly lower in sodium than even low-sodium tamari. (Did you use low-sodium tamari?)

          Reply

  4. Jaime says

    Thanks for sharing your recipe. I made this for my family using the organic low sodium tamari and it was way too salty. I would for sure make this again but adjust the amount of tamari to less that 1/4 cup.

    Reply

  5. Heather Hebert says

    This was delicious! I used coconut aminos, added some broth when I threw the broccoli into the pan, and also added 1/4 cup of coconut sugar to the sauce. Everybody in my family devoured it! Thank you for the recipe.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  7. Robin Simmons says

    I would love to know the nutrition facts on this. I am too lazy to figure it out myself. lol 🙂

    Reply

    • Emily says

      Ha ha! I understand! Nutrition software isn’t in my budget right now (hopefully soon!), but I like using the free MyFitnessPal site or app–you can download recipes straight from the web so you don’t have to add each individual ingredient.

      Reply

        • Emily says

          I’m not sure if you can see it, but I have imported it for myself. It’s titled “Healthy Beef and Broccoli – One Lovely Life”

          If you can’t find it, you can easily import it. Under “More,” select “Meals, Recipes & Foods,” then “Create a Recipe.” Select “Add from the web” and type “One Lovely Life Beef and Broccoli” into the search box. You can then import the recipe from there. Hope that helps!!!

          Reply

  8. Lindsey says

    I am wanting to know the nutrition facts about this meal! I did try the MyFitnessPal app and it was not working. Just wanna know how many calories, how many carbs and how much protein. Thanks can’t wait to try it out!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  9. Randi Reeder says

    OMG! I love this and so did my family! It was so amazing and they didn’t even know it was healthy for them! It was so simple to make and not expensive at all! Please send me more recipes!

    Reply

  10. Tarisa says

    Eating this as I type and it’s fantastic. And SO FAST to make. I used coconut aminos and followed the recipe exactly and it’s awesome. MyFitnessPal calculates this (made with coconut aminos) as 218 calories, 23g carbs, 5g fat and 23g of protein.

    Reply

    • Emily says

      Tarisa – THANK YOU for running it through MyFitnessPal! I’m hoping to get nutrition facts up in the next few weeks, and this is SO HELPFUL for others in the meantime. I’m so glad you enjoyed it and really appreciate you taking the time to comment and share back!

      Reply

      • Emily says

        Melissa – I’m not sure where you saw keto compliant? Or the 23g carbs? I don’t mention keto anywhere in the post and don’t market it that way. It’s paleo approved, gluten free, and grain free, but I don’t mention keto anywhere. The recipe has 14.5g carbs (3.6g fiber).

        Reply

        • Melissa says

          I never said you did, but reading the ingredients it looked compliant to me. I used coconut aminos instead of soy. Also I got the 23g of carbs from the poster above who I was replying to.

          Reply

          • Melissa says

            It’s actually not too bad for KETO with the coconut aminos. I may just have to tweak it a little bit more. It was the best beef broccoli I’ve ever had. Even my husband said so!

  11. Christina says

    Making this for dinner tonight. this will be the 3rd or 4th time. My boys love it and i love the ingredients. I used coconut aminos, arrowroot powder and broccoli.

    FYI it won’t let me give this recipe 5 stars.

    Thanks for this!!

    ★★★

    Reply

    • Emily says

      Elisabeth – Thanks for your suggestion. I do have it written with Whole30/paleo instructions, as I’ve included options for using soy sauce for non-GF/paleo folks, GF tamari, or coconut aminos. I’m trusting that anyone looking for Whole30 recipes is familiar enough with the guidelines to opt for the coconut aminos and arrowroot where suggested 🙂

      Reply

      • Carrie says

        I’m very new to the Whole 30, and I used the tamari sauce, which of course is a no no. The instructions read like tamari is for whole 30 folks. You might look at rewording a bit to make it super clear that the coconut aminos is the only Whole 30 compliant choice.

        ★★★★

        Reply

        • Emily says

          Thanks for the feedback Carrie! I included the (Use for Whole30) after the coconut aminos in the recipe instructions, but I’ll add anther note as well.

          Reply

  14. Megan says

    I made this last night and it was scrumptious! I’m looking to the leftovers that I packed for lunch today 🙂 I have been looking for a recipe that has a thicker sauce like most takeout does and this is it! I just printed the recipe out for future reference. Thank you, thank you, thank you, and happy 2018!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  17. Anna says

    I made this and the flavor was so great, but it was super salty. I missed the note about low sodium! I also should have let it bubble longer to thicken. I will definitely remake it with low sodium. I wish I could find broccolini – they never have it in my stores. Broccoli worked great, but it did take quite a bit longer to cook through. Maybe i’ll chop it smaller next time.

    Overall, a winner! A million times better than all the disappointing take out I’ve had.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  23. Danielle says

    Made this for the first time tonight! Eating it as we speak, this is the most amazing beef and broccoli Recipe I’ve ever had, including takeout! And I love the simple ingredients. I made it with the coconut aminos and arrowroot and it was not too salty at all! Thank you so much for sharing!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  24. Kayla says

    I made this tonight and everyone loved it!! My husband gave it an 8.5/10, which is high praise. Thanks for this one, Emily!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  25. chelsea godinez says

    such an easy meal with low cost ingredients with finger licking good flavor! will definitely be making this again

    Reply

  26. Liz says

    This recipe is easily doubled and absolutely delicious! I served it with sweet potato strips. My whole family loved every last bite! If you’re looking for leftovers, I suggest you set some aside before serving 😉

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  27. Kenya says

    Just made this for the family. OMG it was amazing. Will definitely be making this again 👍🏾

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  28. Trinity Cephus says

    This was great! I used coconut aminos and added a teaspoon of brown sugar and a tablespoon of sriracha for spice, it was delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

    • Emily says

      Hmm…I’m sorry that happened! I’d love to help. Was it crispy when you pulled it out of the pan? (before adding the sauce?) Or was it slimy after adding the sauce?

      Sometimes, if there’s too much moisture (on the beef or juices in the pan) it can start to thicken those juices when they’re browning rather than providing a crispy coating. You could try patting off your beef with a paper/kitchen towel before slicing to reduce the liquid on the beef, which might help with a crispier coating.

      Or, you could skip coating the beef in the arrowroot and simply stir-fry it, then add the arrowroot to the sauce mixture to thicken when you add it later.

      I’ll keep thinking!

      Reply

    • Emily says

      Katie – Correct. And, as you’ll read in the notes, the ingredient list, and the instructions, for Whole30 you use the coconut aminos option 🙂

      Reply

  34. Raquel says

    This was so easy to make and SO delicious. I used coconut aminos, which I normally don’t like, but I think the flavor really worked and made it a tad sweet. My girls loved it. I will definitely keep this recipe, thank you for sharing!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  35. Hayley says

    This recipe is amazing! My husband and I are both on the whole 30 and we felt like this was cheating! So yummy! thank you so much!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  36. Anonymous says

    It’s still a bit salty for my liking but next time I would probably do half water and half low sodium soy sauce and up the ginger. I do think the recipe is a good one and totally adjustable to everyone’s preference. Thank you!

    ★★★★

    Reply

  37. Met says

    I used coconut aminos and wow!! This was great. I added some green onion and served it with cauliflower rice (the frozen kind cause I’m lazy) and some sliced pineapple. This was so delicious:. Thanks for sharing.

    I haven’t used arrowroot before. Is this just a substitute for cornstarch?

    ★★★★★

    Reply

    • Emily says

      I’m SO glad you enjoyed it! That pineapple sounds like the perfect side for this!

      And yes–arrowroot is just a paleo-approved/grain-free cornstarch substitute. 🙂

      Reply

  39. Sarah says

    I made this for dinner yesterday using coconut aminos. (For the first time). I served it with quinoa/ brown rice. It was delicious! I’m so so happy I found This recipe. It was easy, too!
    I breastfeed and my baby is cow milk protein and soy intolerant so there’s not a lot of dinners I get excited about. This one is my new favorite! Thank you!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  40. Suzanne W says

    I’m on Whole 30, I don’t have any arrowroot, but I do have tapioca flour. Do you think that would work as a substitute?

    Reply

    • Emily says

      Suzanne – You could certainly give it a try, though do keep in mind that tapioca can sometimes get a bit gummy, so you’ll want to watch it (and whisk the sauce very well). Best of luck on your Whole30!!!

      Reply

  42. Monica says

    I loved this dish! So happy to find a tasty paleo meal! I will be making this one again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  43. Nico says

    So F***ing good! My fam and I loved it and will do it again! Recipe was perfect, wouldn’t change a thing! Good work!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  44. Krissy says

    Love this recipe-have made it many times for just the hubby and I, and also bigger batches for my many family members who are GF/Soy/Grain/corn sensitive. I have used both chicken and beef, and both work out beautifully. I use coconut aminos, since I can’t do soy. I also use unsalted broth in place of the water, that way if it gets a bit on the salty side (usually only if I double/triple the recipe) I can thin it out without taking away any flavor. I also only use potato starch, (can’t do corn, and never tried the arrowroot) and it works out great! Thanks for a great addition to our weekly menus!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  45. Anonymous says

    I used corn starch and soy sauce in my recipe and it turned out delicious! Thank you for your recipe.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  46. Jenna Von schneidau says

    I’ve made this every night for the past three nights. I’m OBSESSED with this recipe. So glad I found it. Thank you so much!! Xo

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  47. Patricia Mapley says

    Excellent! My husband and I ate every last bite with brown rice. Made with low sodium soy sauce and broccoli. Will make again and try other veggies. Thanks for sharing.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  48. Chad says

    I don’t understand why people trash a recipe because it is “too salty”. Are people not aware of their own taste preference while preparing meals? If you prefer less sodium, reduce salt and/or use low sodium ingredients. Pretty simple concept.
    It’s like someone giving a one star review of an otherwise excellent product, because they had a shipping issue.
    Why not say “Great pair of shoes, runs half a size large, consider sizing down by one half.”? Or “Great recipe, consider using low sodium soy, reduce salt, if that’s your preference”.
    It destroys the credibility of ratings and reviews and at the very least is annoying.
    Have a nice day folks.

    Reply

  49. Jeffrey A Herrington says

    My first experience with coconut aminos! This was fantastic! No salt issue here. We did filet mignon for the steak strips. Added shredded carrots. Incredible

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  52. Nova says

    Just made this last night. Used lower sodium soy sauce and followed the recipe exactly. OMGosh! I can’t wait to eat my leftovers for lunch!! It was so good! My kid prefers chicken so I am gonna try it that way soon!

    Reply

    • Emily says

      I’m so glad you liked this! Several people have tried this with chicken and loved it! You’ll just thinly slice the chicken or dice it, and you’ll cook the chicken a bit longer (since it needs to be completely cooked through). The sauce and broccoli shouldn’t need any other adapting! 🙂

      Reply

  53. Rachel says

    Just made this last night and it was AMAZING! I always struggle cooking Chinese type dishes and for some reason this one worked! Going in the recipe box straight away!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  54. Teresa says

    This is AMAZING! I dont know what others are saying about being too salty, you do state low sodium. My family oohhs and ahhhs over this dish!I use 1/2 Tamari and 1/2 coconut aminos.My husband stated that it is much better than any beef and broccoli in any restaurant he has ever had. High praise indeed!! Thank you so much!

    Reply

  55. Lena says

    This was absolutely fantastic! I used regular broccolli as I dont have the other here in Japan. Printed and keeping as a regular household dinner! Thank you!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  56. GingerB says

    I can’t have soy so I used coconut amino acids & didn’t have fresh ginger so I used 1/4 teas ground ginger.. THIS DISH WAS AAAAAAA-MAZING, specially as a full meal over Cauliflower rice AND…. even tasted great as leftovers for lunch the next day!!! Hubby loved it so much he asked me to make it again this weekend. I loved your directions & how you added the different substitutes. THANK YOU!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

    • Emily says

      GingerB – I’m SO GLAD you guys enjoyed it!!! It’s one of our all-time favorite dinners! Glad your husband liked it too–that’s always a huge win! 🙂

      Reply

  57. Billie says

    My husband and I are on day 18 of Whole 30. We have had some great food along the way, but this recipe is in the lead. I made it tonight and my husband declared it was the best meal we’ve had on Whole 30. I used the coco aminos and added some beef bone broth as well. This will definitely stay in our rotation well past Whole 30.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  58. Anonymous says

    This recipe turned out great and the family loved it! I will definitely be making it again 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  59. Leanne says

    This was so yummy!!! I used coconut aminos and added just a tad bit of honey to the sauce. Served with cauliflower rice for paleo. Delicious!

    Reply

  60. SABRINA says

    This recipe was good, but it was WAY too salty. 🙁 I used low sodium soy sauce, water, and even used sugar to help but no avail. We ate it but I felt like I needed something sweet immediately after.. I wonder how to make this better because I do love beef and broccoli.

    ★★★

    Reply

    • Emily says

      Sabrina – You may want to try it with coconut aminos next time or reduce the amount of soy sauce. Coconut aminos is MUCH less salty than even low-sodium soy sauce, and may help! Alternatively, you can reduce the amount of soy sauce.

      Reply

    • Emily says

      Michelle – It also helps thicken the sauce, so I recommend whisking it into the sauce mixture before pouring it into the pan. Hope that helps! 🙂

      Reply

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