Beef broccoli with quail eggs is a vibrant stir-fry that combines tender beef, crisp broccoli, and delicate quail eggs in a savory sauce. This flavorful dish brings together classic Asian-inspired ingredients for a colorful, nutritious, and satisfying meal perfect for both family dinners and special occasions.
Beef broccoli with quail eggs is a delightful fusion dish that draws inspiration from classic Chinese stir-fries, bringing together East Asian culinary influences with a creative twist. While beef and broccoli is a well-known staple in Chinese-American cuisine, the addition of tender quail eggs elevates the dish with extra richness and visual appeal.
Preparation typically involves marinating thinly sliced beef in soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, then stir-frying it over high heat to lock in flavor and tenderness. Broccoli florets are quickly added for a crisp texture, and lightly boiled quail eggs are incorporated toward the end, allowing them to absorb the savory sauce.
What makes this dish particularly interesting is the balance of flavors and textures—the savory beef, crunchy broccoli, and soft quail eggs come together in a harmonious, nutrient-rich meal that feels both comforting and special, perfect for family gatherings or festive occasions.
This beef with broccoli recipe from Panlasang Pinoy is very easy and fast, relying on a simple stir-fry technique and a quick 15-minute marinade that ensures a tender result. The flavor is deeply savory and umami-rich, driven by the combination of oyster sauce and a hint of sesame oil. The final dish achieves a satisfying textural contrast between the soft, flavorful beef and the brightly crisp, barely-cooked broccoli.
I cooked the quail eggs separately and combined these latter with the beef-broccoli dish. Boiling quail eggs is a simple, popular method, with the key to success being using room-temperature eggs and a gentle boil to prevent cracking. To cook, simply lower the eggs into gently boiling, salted or vinegared water, and time them precisely: 2 to 2.5 minutes for soft/runny yolks, 3 minutes for medium/jammy yolks, and 3.5 to 4 minutes for hard/firm yolks. Immediately transfer the cooked eggs to an ice bath to halt the cooking process, then tap the larger end and gently roll to crack and peel the shell.
Beef Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 lb. beef, sliced into thin pieces (sirloin or tenderloin recommended)
- 2 cups broccoli, cut into florets
- 2 teaspoons ginger, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ to ¾ cups water (optional, for sauce/tenderizing)
- ¼ cup cooking oil, divided
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste Marinade ingredients:
- ¼ cup oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon liquid seasoning
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
- 3 tablespoons cooking wine (optional)
- 1 teaspoon granulated white sugar
Directions
- Combine the sliced beef, oyster sauce, liquid seasoning, sesame oil, cooking wine, and sugar in a bowl. Mix well. Marinate the beef for 15 minutes.
- Add the cornstarch to the marinated beef and mix well to blend. Set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a cooking pot or wok. Sauté the minced ginger and garlic. Add the broccoli florets before the garlic starts to brown. Stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes to keep it crisp. Remove the broccoli from the pot and set it aside.
- Pour the remaining oil into the pot. Add the marinated beef once the oil is hot. Stir-fry until the beef browns.
- You can add water (½ to ¾ cup) to tenderize the beef further. If water is added, let it boil and stir as it evaporates and the sauce thickens. Add salt and ground black pepper to taste.
- Put the cooked broccoli back into the pot with the beef. Stir-fry for 3 minutes.
- Transfer to a serving plate and serve hot, ideally with warm rice or noodles.
