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Easy Beef Broccoli Recipe Hawaii [vegan, tasty]

This easy Beef Broccoli Recipe Hawaii is a simple broccoli stir fry made with vegan beef strips and a stir fry sauce with Hawaiian flavors. It is a popular recipe for preparing a family dinner on busy weeknights and you can serve it on its own or with white rice or brown rice.

Closeup of Beef Broccoli Recipe Hawaii in a pan.

What is Beef Broccoli Hawaii

Hawaiian Beef Broccoli is a unique and flavorful take on the classic Chinese-American Beef and Broccoli.

To give it a Hawaiian twist, local ingredients add a tropical vibe to the dish. Pineapple, macadamia nuts, teriyaki glaze, coconut, taro, local vegetables, Hawaiian seasonings, and serving Hawaiian-style poke alongside the dish are some of the popular ways to add Hawaiian flavors to this dish.

It’s important to note that the Hawaiian culinary scene is diverse, and you can find various interpretations of Beef and Broccoli with different regional influences and ingredient combinations. When creating Hawaiian-inspired Beef and Broccoli, feel free to experiment with these special elements to give your dish a distinctly Hawaiian flair.

Ingredients needed to make this Beef Broccoli Recipe Hawaii are collected on a wooden board.

What is beef and broccoli sauce made of?

Beef and broccoli is a popular Chinese-American dish often served in Chinese restaurants. The sauce for beef and broccoli typically consists of the following ingredients:

  • Soy sauce is the base for the sauce and provides a salty and savory flavor.
  • Sugar, often in the form of brown sugar or white sugar, balances the saltiness of the soy sauce and adds a touch of sweetness to the sauce.
  • Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent to give the sauce a glossy, slightly thick consistency.
  • If you like a bit of heat, you can add red pepper flakes or chili sauce to the sauce.

To make the sauce for beef and broccoli, these ingredients are typically mixed together and then added to the stir-fried beef and broccoli in the wok or pan. The cornstarch in the sauce helps thicken it as it cooks, creating a glossy and slightly thickened coating for the beef and broccoli.

Step-by-step pictures showing how the Hawaiian flavored stir fry sauce is made.

What ingredients do I need to make this Beef Broccoli Recipe

To create a delicious and flavorful Beef Broccoli Hawaii, it’s important to gather all the necessary ingredients beforehand. Here’s what you’ll need:

Firstly, you’ll require the star ingredients – plant-based beef strips and broccoli florets. These will form the base of the dish and provide a source of protein.

To add depth of flavor and enhance the taste, you’ll need soy sauce, vegetable oil, cornstarch, brown sugar, fresh garlic, vinegar, and ginger. These ingredients will make a mouthwatering stir-fry sauce that will perfectly complement the beef and broccoli.

When it comes to the cooking equipment, you’ll need a small bowl to mix the sauce and a large skillet to cook the dish. The skillet should be sufficiently large to accommodate all the ingredients and allow for even cooking.

By following these instructions and using the right ingredients and equipment, you’ll be able to prepare a tasty  Beef Broccoli Hawaii that’s sure to impress your friends and family.

Closeup of the stir fry sauce for Beef and Broccoli.

Should I use fresh or frozen broccoli for Beef Broccoli?

When making Beef and Broccoli, both fresh and frozen broccoli work well.

Fresh broccoli has a firmer texture and a crisper bite, along with a slightly fresher and more vibrant flavor. However, it requires more preparation time. Frozen broccoli is pre-cut, convenient, and can be stored for an extended period, but it can be slightly softer and less crisp than fresh broccoli.

Ultimately, the choice between fresh and frozen broccoli depends on your preferences and the time you have available.

Step-by-step guide showing how broccoli florets and vegan beef strips are fried in a sauce pan.

How to make Beef Broccoli Hawaii

To start, make the stir-fry sauce by whisking together soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, ginger, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl until smooth. Set this aside.

If you’re using fresh broccoli, clean it and cut it into small florets.

Next, heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan and add the broccoli. Cook for 5 minutes over medium-high heat.

Now, add the vegan beef strips and cook them for 4 minutes.

Finally, pour the prepared sauce over the beef and broccoli and let it simmer for 3 more minutes. Stir in the cornstarch, let all thicken for 1 additional minute.

Serve and enjoy.

Step-by-step guide showing how the stir fry sauce is mixed with Beef Broccoli.

Tips and variations for this Beef Broccoli Recipe

In case your sauce is too runny, mix another 1 tsp of cornstarch with 2 tsp of water and add it to the pan.

Beef and Broccoli is a versatile dish that you can customize to your liking.

You can add extras like mushrooms, bell peppers, carrots, snow peas or snap peas, cashews or almonds, sesame seeds, chili flakes or Sriracha, garnishes like green onions or cilantro, or pineapple chunks for a Hawaiian twist.

Final steps in the preparation of Beef Broccoli Recipe Hawaii.

What to serve with Beef Broccoli Recipe Hawaii

When serving this Beef Broccoli Recipe Hawaii you may want to consider including some traditional Hawaiian side dishes. Other complementary elements also can enhance the overall experience.

Pineapple rice is prepared by adding small pineapple chunks, a touch of coconut milk, and some toasted coconut flakes to your rice. It will complement the flavors of the beef and broccoli while adding a tropical touch to your meal.

Macaroni salad is a classic Hawaiian side that is often made with macaroni pasta, mayonnaise, grated carrots, and sometimes sweet pickle relish. It’s a creamy and slightly sweet side dish that pairs well with savory dishes.

Taro rolls or taro dinner rolls are a Hawaiian bread option that brings a unique and slightly sweet flavor to the meal. 

Fresh Hawaiian fruits like pineapple, mango, papaya, and guava not only provide a delicious taste but also a refreshing contrast to the savory beef and broccoli.

To complete the Hawaiian experience, you might want to serve tropical cocktails. For example, think of Mai Tais, Lava Flows, or non-alcoholic fruit punches.

Closeup on a spoon full of Beef Broccoli.

Other Broccoli Recipes to try

Collage of two photos of Beef Broccoli Recipe Hawaii.

Give this Beef Broccoli Recipe Hawaii a try and share your remakes on Instagram and Facebook.

Enjoy, Florian.

Closeup of Beef Broccoli Recipe Hawaii in a pan.

Easy Beef Broccoli Recipe Hawaii

Yield: 2
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

This easy Beef Broccoli Recipe Hawaii is a simple broccoli stir fry made with vegan beef strips and a stir fry sauce with Hawaiian flavors. It is a popular recipe for preparing a family dinner on busy weeknights and you can serve it on its own or with white rice or brown rice.

Ingredients

  • 7 oz plant-based beef stripes
  • 2 cups broccoli, cut into florets
  • 6 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 tbsp vinegar
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • salt, pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. To start, make the stir-fry sauce by whisking together soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, ginger, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl until smooth. Set this aside.Step-by-step pictures showing how the Hawaiian flavored stir fry sauce is made.
  2. If you're using fresh broccoli, clean it and cut it into small florets.
  3. Next, heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan and add the broccoli. Cook for 5 minutes over medium-high heat.Step-by-step guide showing how broccoli florets and vegan beef strips are fried in a sauce pan.
  4. Now, add the vegan beef strips and cook them for 4 minutes.
  5. Finally, pour the prepared sauce over the beef and broccoli and let it simmer for 3 more minutes.Step-by-step guide showing how the stir fry sauce is mixed with Beef Broccoli.
  6. Stir in the cornstarch, let all thicken for 1 additional minute
  7. Serve and enjoy.Final steps in the preparation of Beef Broccoli Recipe Hawaii.

Notes

  • In case your sauce is too runny, mix another 1 tsp of cornstarch with 2 tsp of water and add it to the pan.
  • You can add extras like mushrooms, bell peppers, carrots, snow peas or snap peas, cashews or almonds, sesame seeds, chili flakes or Sriracha, garnishes like green onions or cilantro, or pineapple chunks for a Hawaiian twist.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 389Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1022mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 6gSugar: 13gProtein: 34g
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