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Healthy Slow Cooking

September 26, 2021 · 36 Comments

How to Make Easy Broccoli With Garlic Sauce Stir Fry Recipe

** Featured sidebar posts· Asian· Fall· Gluten-free· Main Course· No Added Oil· Quick and Easy· Soy-free· Spring· Summer· Winter

Jump to Recipe
Table of Contents show
1 What is garlic sauce Made Of?
2 Tips for buying fresh garlic
3 Ingredients you need to make takeout dish
4 Cooking the broccoli with hot garlic sauce
5 Recipe Tips & Substitute Options
6 How do I make it gluten-free?
7 How do I make it oil-free?
8 How do I make it less salty?
9 Can I Use Frozen Broccoli in this Stir-Fry?
10 Find More Recipes Like This
11 Quick and Easy Broccoli with Garlic Sauce
11.1 Ingredients 1x2x3x
11.1.1 Sauce ingredients
11.2 Instructions
11.3 Video
11.4 Nutrition
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This easy broccoli with garlic sauce stir fry recipe is perfect for you if you want to make a quick and easy weeknight recipe. This dish is less expensive than Chinese takeout and probably faster to get on the table!

This Quick and Easy Vegan Broccoli with Spicy Garlic Sauce Recipe Will Have You Breaking Up with Takeout!
Photo by Ann Oliverio

It only takes 10 minutes of prep time required before dinner starts cooking in the pan, this broccoli with garlic sauce stir fry will be ready faster than you’ll know it! Plus, there are gluten-free, soy-free, and oil-free options if you need them.

What is garlic sauce Made Of?

This simple recipe calls for some basic ingredients like fresh broccoli florets and a super-easy sauce. This one starts with soy sauce, a sweetener, sesame oil, chili pepper flakes, and of course – garlic! It’s really a basic brown stir-fry sauce with extra garlic and some spicy red pepper flakes.

Tips for buying fresh garlic

  • Make sure the cloves are firm and the head does not collapse when you squeeze it
  • If it feels hollow or too light it is old
  • If the garlic is sprouted it is also old
  • Make sure it’s dry and not moist and there is no sign of mold
  • Store in a dark place at room temperature

Ingredients you need to make takeout dish

For the stir fry sauce, which is a basic brown sauce, you’ll need vegetable broth or water, soy sauce, (use a gluten-free brand soy sauce or coconut aminos instead) a sweetener such as agave nectar, brown sugar, or maple syrup, sesame oil, fresh garlic cloves, and red pepper flakes.

You’ll thicken the sauce with organic cornstarch or arrowroot so it’s thick like the kind that you get at your favorite Chinese restaurant.

Of course, you need fresh or frozen broccoli florets and some water or oil to saute. It’s best to NOT use olive oil. Also if you use fresh, trim broccoli into florets.

Then just serve up with some steamed brown rice, or try red rice or black rice to change it up a little.

Cooking the broccoli with hot garlic sauce

Mix all the sauce ingredients in a measuring cup or my favorite OXO dressing shaker.

Heat the vegetable oil or 1/4 cup of water in a wok, large skillet, or stir-fry pan over medium-high heat. 

Once the pan is hot add the broccoli crowns and saute until they start to soften, about 3 to 5 minutes (depending on the size of the florets), giving a quick stir every few minutes

Mix in all but 2 tablespoons of the sauce. Then stir the cornstarch slurry into the leftover sauce until there are no lumps then add that to the pan. 

Cook until you have a thick sauce, about 3 to 5 minutes. Serve over rice.

Recipe Tips & Substitute Options

  • If you like yours extra-saucy go ahead and make a double batch of the sauce.
  • Make the garlic sauce in the morning and steam the broccoli the night before. Then you grab them from the fridge and stir-fry when you come home!
  • Also if you tend to overcook broccoli you can steam it, then toss in the sauce in the pan to make it perfect.
  • Don’t have any chili flakes? Add some chili garlic sauce to the mixture – it’s even better that way!
  • Try subbing the broccoli for Japanese eggplant cut into strips, or even with a mix of veggies and tofu cubes. 
  • You can use white rice in place of brown rice.
  • Add water chestnuts or any of your favorite vegetables to bulk this up – or add some air fryer tofu.
The Easy Vegan Cookbook cover by Kathy Hester

I’ve been turning to my book, The Easy Vegan Cookbook, a ton for quick and easy Asian recipes. Since I can’t have gluten anymore it’s much easier to make takeout at home.

How do I make it gluten-free?

Just make sure to get gluten-free soy sauce or gluten-free tamari. If you are making this for a gluten-free friend, please make sure it’s clearly marked on the label.

How do I make it oil-free?

This is easy! Just use water to saute and use either tahini or toasted sesame seeds instead of the sesame oil.

Fresh broccoli florets in a bowl on a cutting board with minced garlic

Don’t do any seeds or are allergic to sesame? The dish will still have a great flavor without it!

How do I make it less salty?

Use coconut amnios to get less sodium overall, or try cutting the soy sauce in half

Can I Use Frozen Broccoli in this Stir-Fry?

You sure can. This is an easy recipe and I want you to have choices.

If you are using frozen broccoli, you can even thaw it out in the fridge to speed up dinner a little more.

Find More Recipes Like This 

I know all of you don’t have The Easy Vegan Cookbook yet, so here are some you can make right now.

I love these recipes: Instant Pot Vegetable Dumplings, Butternut Squash and Kale Lo Mein With Crispy Tofu, and Super Easy Tofu Stir-fry.

This Quick and Easy Vegan Broccoli with Spicy Garlic Sauce Recipe Will Have You Breaking Up with Takeout!

Quick and Easy Broccoli with Garlic Sauce

Kathy Hester
This is my favorite Chinese take-out dish. The broccoli makes it virtuous, but the spicy garlic sauce is what keeps me coming back for more. It’s easier than you think to make at home, and you can make it as spicy as you want! Lots of cooking options on this to make it suitable for everyone: gluten-free option*, soy-free option**, no oil added option***
4.57 from 82 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 4 servings
Calories 128 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil (water saute to make oil free)
  • 6 cups broccoli florets or 1- 1 lb/454g bag frozen
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Sauce ingredients

  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth or water
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (*use a gluten-free brand or **use coconut aminos instead)
  • 2 tablespoons agave nectar or maple syrup/date syrup/brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil (can sub tahini, toasted sesame seeds or just leave out)
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes depending on how hot you like it – can sub chili garlic paste

Instructions
 

  • Mix the sauce ingredients in a measuring cup and set aside.
  • Heat the oil or water in a wok or large saute pan over medium-high heat. 
  • Once the oil is hot add the broccoli and saute until they start to soften, about 3 to 5 minutes (depending on the size of the florets)
  • Mix in all but 2 tablespoons of the sauce. Then stir the cornstarch into the leftover sauce until there are no lumps then add that to the pan. 
  • Cook until the sauce thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes. Serve over rice.
  • If you like yours extra-saucy go ahead and make a double batch of the sauce.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 128kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 5gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 691mgPotassium: 489mgFiber: 4gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 1360IUVitamin C: 122.4mgCalcium: 73mgIron: 1.5mg
Keyword asian broccoli, broccoli and garlic sauce, Broccoli with Spicy Garlic Sauce
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
How to Make Easy Broccoli With Garlic Sauce Stir Fry Recipe
Previous Post: « Easy Balsamic Fig Shrub with Fresh Figs
Next Post: Slow Cooker Vegan Gumbo with Jackfruit and Sausage »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sye says

    August 17, 2016 at 6:14 pm

    The sauce looks yummy and versatile. How long does it last in the fridge?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      August 22, 2016 at 2:25 pm

      I’ve never kept it for long, but I think up to 3 days at least.

      Reply
  2. Dianne's Vegan Kitchen says

    May 8, 2017 at 11:02 am

    Broccoli with garlic sauce is one of my favorites, too. Your version looks so much better than the local Chinese restaurant’s does!

    Reply
  3. Becky Striepe says

    May 8, 2017 at 12:16 pm

    Ooh this looks so good! I love broccoli with garlic sauce and totally order it whenever we get delivery. Now I can save a buck!

    Reply
  4. Kristina says

    May 8, 2017 at 10:35 pm

    oooh, that garlic sauce sounds fantastic. I love broccoli – saving this one to make soon!

    Reply
  5. Johanna says

    May 12, 2017 at 2:11 am

    Just made and ate this -delicious! I’m not fond of cooked broccoli but eat it because it’s good for me. But smothered in this spicy, garlicky sauce it’s great! I added capsicum and mushrooms for extra veggie goodness.

    Reply
  6. Tamara says

    May 14, 2017 at 7:59 am

    So good, served with tofu. Definitely adding to my rotation

    Reply
  7. Jane Malamisura says

    June 4, 2017 at 7:56 pm

    Tried this today and it was delicious! This is my favorite Chinese delivery dish and thrilled to be able to make it myself now!

    Reply
  8. Nora says

    June 30, 2017 at 12:17 pm

    I made this last night, and it was excellent! I added mushrooms and soy curls, and I’ll definitely be making it again soon. Thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply
  9. I'na says

    July 14, 2017 at 9:19 pm

    I made this last night and added squash and zucchini. It was great. It was so good, I made more for my bf to take to work for lunch. I will definitely make again and invite my non-vegan friends over for dinner. ????
    Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  10. Jordyn S. says

    July 17, 2017 at 9:56 pm

    I’ve made this 3 times in the last couple weeks! My boyfriend claims, “This is the best sauce of all time.” 🙂 We usually add a little extra maple syrup so it’s sweeter!

    Reply
  11. MGD says

    September 12, 2017 at 7:13 pm

    This was delicious! Directions are a little unclear, though. First step is to mix all of the sauce ingredients together, so I added the vegetable oil to the sauce. Second step is to sautée broccoli with the oil 🙂 Maybe others caught this by reading ahead, but I wanted to flag it just in case. That aside, this is a great recipe and we will definitely be making again.

    Reply
  12. JoAnn M Lakes says

    October 2, 2017 at 11:10 am

    I just made a batch of brown rice in the instant pot and as a reward to myself, this recipe has lunch written all over it! THANKS

    Reply
  13. Karissa says

    December 13, 2017 at 2:30 pm

    Made this last night and it was really good! Might add a little more maple syrup next time, just to make it a little sweeter for my taste, but it was amazing! I can’t wait to make it again.

    Reply
  14. Charles says

    December 19, 2017 at 10:49 am

    My new favorite recipe! I added baked tofu, but otherwise stuck to the recipe as written, and the sauce was amazing! Thanks for the post!

    Reply
  15. Brooks Jones says

    February 25, 2018 at 7:47 pm

    Made this tonight–so easy and so good! I doubled the sauce and added sliced mushrooms and ham-flavored seitan. Even the meat-eaters in my house wanted seconds! Will definitely make again.

    Reply
  16. Nicola Herinkova says

    February 26, 2018 at 3:25 pm

    The sauce ingredients don’t seem to be listed anymore, only oil, broccoli and cornstarch.
    Maybe they could be added back on?

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      February 26, 2018 at 5:04 pm

      Fixed!

      Reply
  17. Kelli says

    February 26, 2018 at 4:43 pm

    I’m not seeing the sauce recipe anywhere, help!

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      February 26, 2018 at 5:03 pm

      It’s fixed now!

      Reply
      • Kelli says

        February 27, 2018 at 11:12 pm

        Thank you Kathy!!

        Reply
  18. Barb says

    March 14, 2018 at 7:47 pm

    Fabulous

    Reply
  19. Kat says

    July 14, 2018 at 1:16 am

    I’ve been significantly reducing my meat consumption and happened to have a beautiful head of freshly-harvested broccoli just waiting to be prepared in a recipe like this. Delicious! I bet some blanched almonds or tofu would be amazing additions. Thank you 🙂

    Reply
  20. Juju says

    July 25, 2018 at 5:28 pm

    Thanks for all the delicious add in I’ll be trying

    Reply
  21. Cindy says

    September 19, 2018 at 7:57 am

    Made this last night for an easy dinner. It was delicious!!! I will definitely make it again and use it with tofu as well as another person posted. Just stumbled on this site but will be taking a closer look today. Thank you.

    Reply
  22. Beth McCrea says

    October 12, 2018 at 3:25 am

    ADORE this recipe!

    Just one note: In the recipe towards the top of the page (on my phone, I see the same recipe twice…I guess the second is showing it as it’s listed in the book…?), it includes the olive oil under the sauce ingredients, but it should be under the non-sauce ingredients as shown in the 2nd recipe.

    Reply
  23. LtUhura says

    March 19, 2020 at 7:58 pm

    Quite good! My people don’t like too much spice (I do), so I’m glad I pulled back on the red pepper flakes, only using about 1/2 tsp. Otherwise, I followed this recipe to the T and it is a keeper. Thanks!

    Reply
  24. Tater says

    April 8, 2020 at 10:15 pm

    My broccoli hating husband said “This is so good in spite of it being broccoli. I can’t stop eating it”

    Thank you for another excellent recipe!

    Reply
  25. tina says

    May 12, 2020 at 4:58 pm

    mine never got thick…did I do something wrong?

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      September 25, 2021 at 3:41 pm

      Did you add the cornstarch? You can always mix extra cornstarch in some water and add it.

      Reply
  26. Brenda says

    October 13, 2020 at 10:39 am

    We have made this numerous times. Delicious! We’ve also doubled the sauce and added fresh mushrooms, onion and zucchini.
    Thank You Kathy!

    Reply
  27. Bridget Cohen says

    October 25, 2020 at 5:56 pm

    This recipe is fantastic- quick and easy with ingredients I always have on hand. Did as others suggested and made double the sauce- next time I will add additional veggies to bulk it up a bit for my husband and son. Thanks for a great recipe!

    Reply
  28. Ryan says

    December 7, 2020 at 7:02 pm

    Perfect! I followed the directions and doubled the sauce and added sliced bell peppers. Served over Thai rice noodles. Thank you Kathy!!!

    Reply
  29. Jbd says

    July 28, 2021 at 2:28 pm

    To. Die. For! Needed to use up some broccoli. Came across this recipe and oh lordie was it good. Thank you. Its going to be a firm go to for me from now on. X

    Reply
  30. Donna @ Modern on Monticello says

    August 11, 2021 at 11:03 am

    This looks and sounds so yummy. I am glad you decided to share the recipe with us this week. Pinned. #HomeMattersParty

    Reply
  31. Patricia says

    April 14, 2022 at 6:39 pm

    The easiest and best garlic sauce I’ve ever tried. Tastes exquisite. Thanks. I’ve used chicken instead of broccoli.

    Reply

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