Best for: The weeknight takeout order, upgraded.
Beef and broccoli lives or dies on two things: beef that is genuinely tender (the baking-soda velveting step handles that) and broccoli that stays bright green instead of going olive-drab. A cast-iron skillet on the grill gives the beef a real sear, and the broccoli gets exactly two minutes in the sauce — no more.
Cast iron: Large cast-iron skillet over direct high heat on the grill; 475°F. Equipment: 12-inch cast-iron skillet, grill, spatula, bowls.
Ingredients
Marinate: 15 minutes. Total: 42 minutes.
Beef and marinade
- 1 lb flank steak, sliced 1/4 inch thick against the grain
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Sauce and vegetables
- 1/4 cup oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons neutral oil, divided
- 4 cups broccoli florets (about 12 oz)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
Directions
Toss the beef with the soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, cornstarch, and baking soda and marinate for 15 minutes — the baking soda is the velveting step that keeps takeout-style beef tender. Whisk the oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar, water, and cornstarch into the sauce.
Heat the cast-iron skillet on the grill to 475°F. Add 1 tablespoon of the neutral oil and the broccoli with a pinch of salt; stir-fry for 2 minutes until bright green and lightly charred at the edges. Set aside.
Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and sear the beef in a single layer for 2 minutes per side, until browned. Work in two batches if needed.
Return the broccoli to the skillet and add the garlic and ginger; stir for 20 seconds.
Pour in the sauce and toss for about 1 minute, until it thickens to a gloss and coats everything.
Serve at once over rice, while the broccoli is still bright.
Grilling tip: Velveting sounds like a chef trick because it is one — fifteen minutes with the baking soda marinade is the difference between chewy and silky.
