Paleo Beef and Broccoli
Paleo beef and broccoli swaps the soy sauce of the takeaway version for coconut aminos and thickens the sauce with arrowroot instead of cornflour, so it has no soy, no grains and no gluten. Thin strips of flank steak are browned first, the broccoli is fried in the same pan, then everything goes back in with garlic, ginger and the aminos for a final two minutes. It takes about 20 minutes and serves 4.
Paleo Beef and Broccoli
Beef strips and broccoli florets in a glossy coconut aminos sauce with garlic and ginger. Grain-free, soy-free and gluten-free, and on the table in about 20 minutes.
- 1 lb beef strips (such as flank steak)
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp arrowroot powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toss the beef strips with arrowroot powder, salt, and pepper.
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef strips and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, heat the remaining olive oil. Add broccoli and cook for 3 minutes.
Add garlic, ginger, and coconut aminos, then return the beef to the skillet. Stir and cook for another 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through.
How to get the beef tender
Slice the steak thinly, about 5 mm, and across the grain: look for the lines running along the meat and cut at right angles to them. Partly freezing the steak for 20 minutes makes thin slicing much easier. The arrowroot coating protects the surface and helps the sauce cling, and cooking the beef in two batches stops it stewing in its own juices. Pull it out while it is still slightly pink in the middle, because it goes back in at the end.
What is coconut aminos?
Coconut aminos is a dark, salty seasoning made from fermented coconut sap and salt. It tastes like a milder, slightly sweeter soy sauce, and paleo cooks use it because it contains no soy and no wheat. Look for it near the soy sauce or in the health food aisle. Because it is less salty than soy sauce, taste the finished sauce and add salt if it needs it.
Can I use soy sauce or tamari instead?
You can, and the dish will taste much the same, but it will no longer be paleo, because soy is a legume. Tamari is usually wheat-free, so it keeps the dish gluten free if that is what matters to you. Use about two thirds as much soy sauce or tamari as the coconut aminos, since both are saltier.
What can I use instead of arrowroot?
Tapioca starch is the closest paleo swap and works one for one. Cornflour works the same way too, but corn is a grain, so it is not paleo. Whichever you use, it only needs a light coating on the beef to thicken the sauce.
What else can I add?
Sliced capsicum, snow peas, mushrooms or broccolini all go in with the broccoli. A teaspoon of sesame oil or a pinch of chilli flakes at the end adds depth or heat. Serve it on cauliflower rice to keep the meal paleo, or on steamed rice if you are not strict about it.
How long does it keep?
Leftovers keep in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a frying pan over medium heat for a few minutes rather than in the microwave, which tends to overcook the beef. The broccoli softens on reheating, so it is at its best fresh.
For more quick paleo recipes, see our easy paleo dinners.