This Paleo Beef and Broccoli recipe is a delicious and healthy twist on the classic takeout dish. The tender beef is cooked in a flavorful sauce made with coconut aminos, garlic, and ginger, while the broccoli adds a satisfying crunch and freshness to the dish. It's the perfect meal for those following a Paleo lifestyle or anyone looking for a nutritious and tasty dinner.
Let's talk about what makes this dish unique. The Paleo diet, also known as the "caveman diet," is based on the idea of eating how our ancestors did, focusing on whole, unprocessed foods.
This means cutting out dairy, grains, and processed sugars and incorporating plenty of lean proteins, vegetables, and healthy fats into our meals.
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For this beef and broccoli recipe, we are using clean ingredients, we swap traditional soy sauce for coconut aminos and loads of aromatics like freshly grated ginger and garlic to reinforce that authentic taste.
Ingredients
- Beef. Thin-sliced top sirloin steak, new-york strip, or tri-tip are all great options.
- Broccoli. Use fresh broccoli, cut into florets, and tough bottom stems removed.
- Coconut aminos. This coconut-based ingredient will be used in place of traditional soy sauce.
- Pure maple syrup. To help balance the salty notes of the coconut aminos.
- Broth. Homemade paleo-approved beef broth is preferred.
- Onion, ginger, and garlic. For flavor.
- Arrowroot powder. To thicken the stir-fry sauce.
- Fresh cilantro and sesame seeds. For garnish.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Paleo Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry Sauce
To make a delicious beef and broccoli stir-fry sauce, you only need a base of broth (preferably homemade), coconut aminos, and a paleo-approved thickening agent like arrowroot powder.
Also, the stir-fry sauce combined with the sauteed onions, garlic, ginger, and beef is what will give this dish an authentic Chinese takeout taste. Furthermore, my favorite part about this sauce is that it coats every bit of the broccoli florets perfectly.
Begin by heating the broth, pure maple syrup, and coconut aminos in a saucepan over medium heat. As the mixture warms, gradually add the arrowroot powder to the saucepan while stirring continuously.
Once a low simmer is achieved, turn off the heat, whisk until slightly thickened, and place aside.
Note: it should take about 3 minutes for the stir-fry sauce to thicken.
Paleo Beef and Broccoli
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet has heated, add ghee, onions, ginger, garlic, salt and pepper. Stir-fry until onions have softened.
Add the thin-sliced beef to the pan. Stir-fry until golden brown.
Add the broccoli. Stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Add the stir-fry sauce. Continue to stir-fry for another 3-5 minutes or until the broccoli is tender.
I like to garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and a few cilantro springs. The sesame seeds provide a nutty undertone, while the cilantro adds a vibrant herbaceous note that complements the other flavors perfectly.
Substitutions
Here are ways to substitute certain ingredients while maintaining paleo-friendly beef and broccoli. Here are a few suggestions:
- Thickening agents - Instead of arrowroot powder, use tapioca flour.
- Sweeteners - Use 1 tablespoon of date or coconut sugar instead of pure maple syrup.
- Vegetarian - Instead of beef, feel free to use eggs.
Variations
Consider these alternatives in place of beef for a paleo-friendly broccoli stir-fry:
- Chicken: Thinly sliced chicken breast or chicken thighs are excellent options.
- Eggs: You can use whole, hard-boiled eggs or scrambled eggs when stir-frying the broccoli.
- Seafood: Deshelled shrimp, fresh salmon, or fresh tuna would all make fantastic substitutes for beef.
These alternatives provide different textures and flavors while still maintaining a protein-rich base for the dish.
Storage
Place the beef and broccoli in a lidded container, and refrigerate it to keep it fresh for up to three days. Also, you can quickly reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop for a quick meal.
Here are some of the paleo-approved recipes that I enjoy the most on my blog:
This quinoa salad offers fresh pomegranate arils with creamy avocado all dressed in a ginger-based dressing.
Sometimes, we don't have much time to prepare breakfast every morning. In that case, I like to make this easy quinia breakfast bowl that mimics cereal.
Paleo Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Ingredients
Stir-Fry Sauce
- 1 cup beef broth paleo-approved beef broth is preferred
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup optional
- ¼ cup coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder
Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
- 1 tablespoon ghee
- 1 medium onion, peeled, halved, thin-sliced
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper
- 1 pound sirloin steak, thin-sliced new-york strip, or tri-tip are all great options.
- 1 head broccoli
- cilantro and sesame seeds for garnish
- quinoa for serving
Instructions
Stir-Fry Sauce
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the broth, pure maple syrup, and coconut aminos. While stirring continually, gradually add the arrowroot powder to the pot as it heats.
- Once a low simmer is achieved, turn off the heat, whisk until slightly thickened. The stir-fry sauce should thicken in approximately 3 minutes. Place the sauce aside.
Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet has heated, add ghee, onions, ginger, garlic, salt and pepper. Stir-fry until onions have softened.
- Add the thin-sliced beef to the pan. Stir-fry until golden brown.
- Add the broccoli. Stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Add the stir-fry sauce. Continue to stir-fry for another 3-5 minutes or until the broccoli is tender.
- Serve over quinoa. Garnish fresh sesame seeds and fresh sprigs of cilantro.
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