Broccoli Stir-Fry With Ginger and Sesame

A quick and easy broccoli stir-fry with ginger and sesame, this recipe is ready in under 30 minutes. Enjoy as a side for almost any meal!

Making broccoli stir fry in a wok recipe

Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

Do you get broccoli cravings?

Some people get chocolate cravings. I get broccoli cravings. Sometimes I think it's my body's way of telling me I've been laying on the bacon (or maybe the chocolate!) a bit too thick. But honestly, I could eat broccoli every day of the year and not get tired of it.

How to Stir-Fry Broccoli Like a Pro

Here's a quick and easy recipe for broccoli, stir-fried with a little ginger and sesame. The broccoli florets are quickly stir-fried initially, then steamed in a sauce of stock, sesame oil, and soy sauce.

This quick cooking technique works best with the florets. Don't discard the broccoli stalks, peel them and slice them thick and eat them raw like you would a carrot; the raw stalks are great with dips.

What's your favorite way of preparing broccoli? Our everyday standby is steamed broccoli, but we're always looking for ideas.

how to make broccoli stir fry

Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

Bulk Up This Stir-Fry

The beauty of this recipe is its versatility and ease. You can add more of your vegetables (like sliced carrots, snow peas, water chestnuts, baby corn, celery) to make it more fun and colorful. Feel free to toss in some protein, like thinly sliced beef, chicken, or even shrimp for a more filling dish.

Be sure to use a larger pan if adding more ingredients. You don't want to crowd vegetables too much and get them too soggy!

The Best Pan for Stir-Fries

This isn't a totally traditional stir-fry recipe. Usually, Chinese stir-fries are made over higher heat in a wok. This adapts the technique for home cooks who don't have a wok or access to the high heat of restaurants.

A wok is great, if you have one, but totally not necessary.

You do want to use the largest skillet you have though so that the broccoli has a chance to cook evenly without getting too crowded. If you like a little char on your vegetables, feel free to cook the broccoli a couple of minutes longer over high heat.

What to Serve With Broccoli Stir-Fry

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Broccoli Stir-Fry With Ginger and Sesame

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Servings 4 servings

Adapted from a recipe in "Vegetables Every Day" by Jack Bishop.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

  • 1/2 cup chicken stock (use vegetable stock for vegan option)

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (use gluten-free soy sauce for gluten-free option)

  • 1 tablespoon dark sesame oil

  • Peanut oil, or canola oil

  • 1 pound broccoli florets, rinsed, patted dry, and cut into bite-sized pieces

  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)

Method

  1. Toast the sesame seeds:

    Toast the sesame seeds by first heating a small, stick-free saute pan on medium-high heat. Add the sesame seeds and jiggle the pan so they spread out in a single layer.

    Let them cook until lightly browned, stirring occasionally, about 2 to 3 minutes. Do not walk away from them while cooking, as once they start to brown they can easily burn. Once lightly toasted, remove from heat and put into a small bowl. (Skip this step if using pre-roasted sesame seeds.)

    how to toast sesame seeds

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

    Toasted sesame seeds in a glass bowl to make a broccoli stir fry recipe.

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

  2. Mix the stock, soy sauce, and sesame oil:

    Mix the stock, soy sauce, and dark sesame oil together in a small bowl. Set aside.

  3. Saute the broccoli, garlic, and ginger:

    Heat 1 tablespoon of peanut or canola oil in a large, coverable saute pan on medium-high heat. Add the broccoli florets, and stir to coat the florets with the oil, Stir-fry for about a minute.

    Clear a space in the middle of the broccoli and add the ginger and garlic. Add a little more oil to the ginger and garlic (about a teaspoon) and saute for half a minute, stirring just the garlic and ginger, until fragrant. Then, stir the garlic and ginger in with the broccoli.

    stir fried broccoli

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

    Making broccoli stir fry in a wok.

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

    How to stir fry broccoli

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

  4. Add the soy mixture and simmer:

    Add the soy sesame oil mixture to the pan and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and cover. Let cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until broccoli is still firm but can be pierced with a fork. Remove from heat.

    Remove the broccoli with a slotted spoon to a bowl. Return the pan to the stove. Increase the heat to high and boil down the liquid until just a couple tablespoons remain.

    Turn off the heat, and return the broccoli to the pan. Add the toasted sesame seeds, and toss with the liquid. Serve fresh and hot from the stove.

    How to stir fry broccoli

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

    Making broccoli stir fry in a wok.

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

    Reducing sauce in a wok to make a broccoli stir fry recipe.

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

    easy broccoli stir fry in a wok.

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

    Side view of a bowl of stir fry broccoli served over rice.

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
129 Calories
9g Fat
11g Carbs
4g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 129
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g 11%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 1mg 0%
Sodium 310mg 13%
Total Carbohydrate 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 4g 15%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 74mg 371%
Calcium 70mg 5%
Iron 1mg 7%
Potassium 404mg 9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.