Beef and Broccoli (Freezer Meal Option)

Beef and broccoli in bowl with chop sticks.

5 from 1 vote

Beef and Broccoli (Freezer Meal Option)

This easy beef and broccoli recipe freezer meal is a weeknight miracle! Tender beef and fresh veggies are tossed in a scratch-made, sweet-and-savory brown sauce. For a quick meal, serve with Instant Pot freezer rice. Only 30 minutes or less to cook when thawed!

Prep Time10

Cook Time30

Total Time40

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 301kcal

Author: Rebecca Warfield

Equipment

Small ziplock bags
Gallon freezer-safe bag
Skillet
Small Saucepan

Ingredients

Sauce Ingredients

1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari
2 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon chili-garlic sauce
2 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon sherry
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoon cornstarch

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

12 oz steak sliced thinly
4 cups broccoli bite-sized pieces
1/2 medium onion sliced
2 carrots halved and cut into long slices
2-3 garlic cloves minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

FREEZER MEAL PREP

In a small bowl, combine all of the sauce ingredients except the cornstarch. Mix until thoroughly combined. Pour into a small freezer-safe ziplock bag. Seal completely and set aside. (Double-bag the sauce to prevent leaks.)
1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari, 2 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon chili-garlic sauce, 2 tablespoon brown sugar, 2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, 1 tablespoon sherry, 1/4 cup water
Slice the steak into thin strips. Put the steak into a gallon-sized freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible and seal. Set aside.
12 oz steak
Chop the broccoli, onions, carrots, and garlic. Transfer to a freezer bag.
4 cups broccoli, 1/2 medium onion, 2 carrots, 2-3 garlic cloves
Then, toss all three bags (sauce, beef, and veggies) into another gallon freezer bag and freeze them.

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

Thaw your freezer meal in the fridge overnight, or place it in a bowl of water.
Heat a drizzle of sesame oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Cook the steak in the hot sesame oil until cooked through and browned, around 3-4 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Salt and pepper to taste
Add the broccoli, onions, carrots, and garlic to the same skillet. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes, or until the veggies are tender-crisp. Note: If cooking the same day, add the garlic once the veggies are tender-crisp. Then, add the garlic and cook just until it is aromatic.
Once the veggies are ready, add the cooked beef back in.
Mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to make a slurry.
2 tablespoon cornstarch
Warm the prepared sauce ingredients over medium heat. Bring to a low boil, then add the slurry. Bump up the heat and boil, constantly stirring until the sauce thickens.
Pour the sauce over the steak and veggies, and mix together.
Serve with rice, ramen, or udon noodles. If you are feeling fancy, garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Notes

Slice the beef against the grain for a tender texture.
Freeze the bag flat to save space in the freezer.
Make sure you remove as much air as possible from the bags to prevent freezer burn.
To keep dinnertime stress-free, don’t forget to take your freezer meal out to thaw at least a day in advance or quick-thaw it in a bowl of water.

Nutrition