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Beef and broccoli meet ramen in this easy stir fry recipe. Itโs packed with savoury flavours, tender broccoli, and coated noodles, just like your favourite Chinese takeout. Ready in just 30 minutes, itโs a quick and satisfying meal for any night of the week.
For more easy stir fry recipes, try my Beef Stir Fry and Tofu Stir Fry next!

Whenever Iโm craving takeout but want something homemade, this beef and broccoli ramen stir fry hits the spot. Itโs got everything I love: tender broccoli florets, savoury ground beef, and chewy ramen noodles, all tossed in a simple homemade stir fry sauce.
And itโs way easier than it looks and comes together in 30 minutes. It gives that restaurant-quality flavour with an Asian-inspired twistโฆ without the wait for delivery! If youโre in the mood for something quick, easy, and delicious, this oneโs for you.
What is the secret to good stir-fry?
The key to a great stir-fry is high heat and quick cooking. This helps the ingredients stay crisp and tender while allowing the sauce to coat everything evenly without making it soggy. Prepping everything in advance and using a well-balanced homemade stir fry sauce also makes a big difference.
Can you use ramen for stir fry?
Yes! Ramen noodles work great in stir fry because they cook quickly and soak up the sauce beautifully. Just be sure to boil them brieflyโabout a minuteโso they stay chewy and donโt turn mushy when tossed with the other ingredients.
Ingredients for Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
- Ground Beef: A rich and savoury base that adds heartiness to this ramen noodle stir fry, soaking up all the bold flavours of the sauce.
- Ramen Noodles: These quick-cooking noodles bring a chewy texture that absorbs the sauce perfectly, making each bite flavourful. Any instant noodle pack works as long as you discard the flavour packet. The cheap stuff, like a 99-cent pack of Mr. Noodles, is perfect for this recipe!
- Broccoli Florets: Adds freshness and a slight crunch, balancing the richness of the beef and sauce.
- Yellow Onion: Brings a touch of sweetness and depth as it softens, enhancing the overall flavour.
- Green Onion: A fresh, mild garnish that adds color and a subtle oniony bite to finish the dish.
- Sesame Seeds: Optional, but they add a hint of nuttiness and a little crunch for extra texture.
What is beef and broccoli sauce made of?
Beef and broccoli sauce is a savoury blend of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and mirin, creating the perfect balance of salty, sweet, and slightly tangy flavours. Garlic and ginger add warmth and depth, while a splash of rice vinegar brightens up the sauce. Sriracha brings optional heat, and a bit of sesame oil enhances the nuttiness. This rich, flavour-packed sauce coats the beef, broccoli, and ramen noodles, tying everything together in a delicious stir fry.
How to Make Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Make the Stir Fry Sauce
In a medium bowl, I whisk together all the sauce ingredients and set it aside. This lets the flavours blend while I prep everything else.
Cook the Beef
I heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Once itโs browned, I drain any excess fat if needed.
Boil the Ramen
While the beef cooks, I bring a pot of water to a rapid boil and drop in the ramen noodles. They only need about a minuteโjust enough to soften without getting mushy. I drain them and set them aside.
Stir-Fry the Veggies
Next, I toss the onions and broccoli florets into the skillet with the beef. They cook for a few minutes until the broccoli is tender-crisp and the onions soften slightly.
Bring It All Together
I pour in the sauce, adding a couple of spoonfuls of ramen water to help coat everything evenly. Then, I toss in the cooked ramen noodles and stir until everything is combined and glossy.
Garnish and Serve Ramen Stir Fry
For the finishing touch, I sprinkle on green onions and sesame seeds. Itโs best served right away while everything is hot and packed with flavour!
Recipe Tips
- Donโt overcook the ramen. A quick one-minute boil is enough to keep the noodles chewy and prevent them from turning mushy when tossed in the stir fry.
- Brown the beef properly. Let the ground beef cook undisturbed for a minute or two before stirring to develop a deeper flavour and better texture.
- Cook the broccoli until tender-crisp. It should be bright green with a slight bite to maintain its freshness and prevent it from getting too soft.
- Mirin adds subtle sweetness and depth. Itโs a key ingredient in many Japanese dishes, including teriyaki sauces. If you donโt have any, substitute with dry white wine or rice vinegar mixed with a half teaspoon of sugar per tablespoon.
- Use ramen water to loosen the sauce. A few spoonfuls of the starchy cooking water help the sauce cling to the noodles for an even coating.
- Adjust spice to taste. Add more sriracha for heat or leave it out entirely if you prefer a milder flavour.
Recipe Variations
- Make It Vegetarian. Skip the ground beef and load up on extra veggies like bean sprouts, snow peas, carrots, and bell peppers. Theyโll add great texture and keep the stir fry just as satisfying.
- Make It with Steak. Pre-cut beef strips labeled โperfect for stir-fryโ work great, or you can slice your own prime cut. Marinate the beef beforehand for extra flavour, and be sure not to overcrowd the skillet when searingโthis helps it brown properly instead of steaming.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When reheating, I like to use a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water to loosen up the sauce and keep the noodles from drying out.
A quick toss for a couple of minutes is all it takes to bring everything back to life. Just avoid overcooking, or the noodles will get too soft.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQโs)
No, broccoli doesnโt need to be steamed before stir-frying. It cooks quickly in the skillet, especially when cut into bite-sized florets. If you prefer it softer, you can add a splash of water to the pan and cover it for a minute to steam while it cooks, but keeping it tender-crisp adds a nice texture to the dish.
Yes! Fresh ramen noodles work well and cook even faster than instant. Just boil them for 30โ45 seconds until tender, then drain and add them to the stir fry.
Yes, just blanch it briefly in hot water before adding it to the stir fry. This helps it cook evenly without turning mushy.
More 30-Minute Meals
- Lobster Pasta with Lemon Butter Sauce
- One Pot Cajun Shrimp Rice
- Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Sausage
- One Pot Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage
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Beef and Broccoli Ramen Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb Ground Beef
- 2 pcks Ramen Noodles, discard seasoning packs
- 1 head Broccoli Florets
- 1 Yellow Onion, medium, julienned
- Green Onion, sliced, for serving
- Sesame Seeds, optional, for serving
Stir Fry Sauce
- 2 tbsp Soya Sauce
- 4 tbsp Hoisin Sauce
- 2 tbsp Mirin, see notes sections below
- 1 tbsp Sriracha, optional
- 1 tsp Rice Wine Vinegar
- 1 tsp Sesame Oil, optional
- 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1 tsp Ginger, freshly grated
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine sauce ingredients and set aside. Then add the ground beef to a skillet over medium-high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Bring a large enough pot of water to a rapid boil for the ramen noodles and cook for about a minute. Do not overcook your noodles, and set aside.
- Add onions, broccoli florets and sauce to the skillet and cook for a few minutes until broccoli and onions are tender-crisp. Add sauce and 2-3 spoons of the ramen cooking water to the skillet if needed. Drain and discard remaining water and add ramen to the skillet.
- Toss well, garnish with sesame seeds, and green onions if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
So good and easy. I have been struggling to find recipes that both the adults and toddlers can enjoy and this was a hit with everyone. Quick note โ I steamed my broccoli for 3 minutes before adding to dish and used one clove of garlic to tone it down for the 1 year old.
Hi Amy! I love this so much โ itโs definitely toddler approved and family friendlyโฆ I know the struggle first hand of sometimes picky toddlers!