Air Fryer Beef & Broccoli: Quick & Easy Dinner

Air Fryer Beef & Broccoli: Quick & Easy Dinner

Tender beef sirloin and broccoli florets are air-fried to perfection with a simple cornstarch coating for a quick, delicious dinner.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese-American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound beef sirloin (, top round, chuck steak or flank steak, sliced thin for a tender bite)
• 1 pound broccoli florets (, cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (, for coating beef and broccoli)
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 2 teaspoons rice vinegar ((or vinegar of choice – distilled white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, etc.))

Method

 

1. In a bowl, combine the beef and broccoli and coat with the vegetable oil.
2. Spread the beef and broccoli into an even layer in air fryer basket/tray. Cook in batches if needed, don’t overcrowd the basket.
3. Air Fry at 380°F/193°C for 10 minutes, then shake and flip the beef and broccoli.
4. Air Fry at 380°F/193°C for another 5 minutes. Shake and flip the beef and broccoli and check for doneness. If needed continue to Air Fry for another 1-5 minutes, or until cooked to your preferred doneness.
5. While the beef and broccoli is cooking, make the sauce. Whisk together the water and cornstarch until smooth. Whisk in the soy sauce, brown sugar, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, and rice vinegar.
6. Heat a saucepan over medium-high heat. Heat a teaspoon of vegetable oil then add the sauce mixture. Stirring regularly, bring to a simmer for 2-3 minutes or until it thickens to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat.
7. After the beef and broccoli has finished cooking, combine the beef and broccoli with the sauce. Serve warm over rice or noodles.

Notes

– Slice the beef thinly against the grain for maximum tenderness.
– Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary for even cooking.
– Adjust the brown sugar and soy sauce to your personal taste preference.
– For extra flavor, add minced garlic and ginger to the sauce when simmering.

Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.

Allergens: Soybeans, Wheat.

The technique that makes it

The success of this air fryer beef and broccoli hinges on two key techniques: proper beef preparation and managing the cooking time for both the beef and broccoli. Slicing the beef thinly against the grain is crucial for tenderness. This breaks down the muscle fibers, making the meat easier to chew. Marinating or coating the beef and broccoli with a bit of oil before air frying helps to promote browning and prevents sticking. The air fryer’s rapid circulation of hot air cooks the ingredients quickly and evenly, creating a slight crispness on the beef and tender-crisp broccoli. The sauce, a blend of savory, sweet, and umami flavors, is thickened with cornstarch. It’s important to add the sauce towards the end of the cooking process or toss the cooked ingredients in the sauce separately to prevent the broccoli from becoming soggy and the beef from overcooking and drying out. The high heat of the air fryer sears the beef quickly, locking in juices, while the broccoli cooks to a perfect tender-crisp state without becoming mushy.

Troubleshooting

• Beef is tough: Ensure the beef was sliced thinly against the grain. Overcooking also toughens beef; reduce air fryer time slightly.
• Broccoli is mushy: Broccoli cooks faster than beef. Try air frying the beef for a few minutes first, then add the broccoli for the remaining time. Ensure broccoli florets are bite-sized.
• Sauce is too thin: The cornstarch slurry may not have been fully incorporated or cooked. Whisk the cornstarch and water thoroughly before adding to the sauces. You can also thicken the sauce by returning it to the stovetop in a small saucepan with a bit more cornstarch slurry if needed.
• Ingredients sticking to the basket: Ensure a light coating of oil on both the beef and broccoli before air frying. Preheating the air fryer can also help.

Substitutions

• Beef cut: Flank steak or skirt steak can be used, but ensure they are sliced very thinly against the grain. For a more economical option, chuck steak can work if sliced thinly and cooked carefully to avoid toughness.
• Soy Sauce: Tamari can be used for a gluten-free alternative. Coconut aminos offer a sweeter, less salty option.
• Brown Sugar: Honey or maple syrup can be used as sweeteners, though they may alter the flavor profile slightly and brown more quickly.
• Vegetable Oil: Canola oil, avocado oil, or even a light olive oil can be substituted. Avoid strongly flavored oils like extra virgin olive oil for the initial coating.

Pro tips

• Slice the beef thinly against the grain for maximum tenderness.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary for even cooking.
• Adjust the brown sugar and soy sauce to your personal taste preference.
• For extra flavor, add minced garlic and ginger to the sauce when simmering.

Enjoy this quick and flavorful air fryer beef broccoli – a perfect weeknight meal that’s better than takeout!

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