Beef Broccoli pairs well with Cauliflower Rice, Egg Drop Soup, Grilled Bok Choy, Chinese Fried Rice, and Prawn Crackers.
Cauliflower Rice -
Everyone knows that meat and rice make the perfect combination.
For a lighter option, try Prawn Crackers. The crackers taste wonderful and pair nicely with the meat and veggie dish.
When you talk about a perfect meat and veggie dish, beef broccoli or beef and broccoli come to mind with several others.
It's a popular Chinese-American dish served at restaurants and on many occasions.
While beef broccoli happens to be a dish on its own, it's also versatile and compatible with different items.
Hence when considering what to serve with beef broccoli, you have plenty of options.
Chinese fried rice, grilled bok choy, scallion pancakes, and quinoa pilaf are some dishes you can serve with beef and broccoli.
Besides these, there are several more so check below.
10 Perfect Side Dishes with Beef Broccoli
The following are some items you can serve with beef broccoli.
1 - Cauliflower Rice
Everyone knows that meat and rice make the perfect combination.
But for a change, let's add cauliflower rice instead.
It's delicious and makes a suitable combo with beef broccoli.
It's also easy to make cauliflower rice as there isn't much to do.
You also only need a few ingredients for the dish.
Cauliflower florets, olive oil, salt, lemon juice, onion and fresh parsley are enough for the dish.
But you have to use fresh cauliflower or it won't taste as good as expected.
For example, when buying the white variety, it should be very pale with no dark "sunburned" spots.
The florets must be tightly clustered and firm.
2 - Egg Drop Soup
Soup is another item that you can serve with beef broccoli.
There are many types of soups so you have many options.
Egg drop soup is one of those varieties that match nicely with beef broccoli.
It's a Chinese soup of wispy beaten eggs in chicken broth but popular worldwide, so it'll be a suitable side dish to have with beef and broccoli.
The soup is light but when you combine it with the beef broccoli, they fill you up nicely.
Making this soup is easy, but it's important to use the right ingredients and follow the steps, or you may not get the desired results.
3 - Grilled Bok Choy
Also called pak choi, bok choy is part of the Brassica genus of plants and is consumed widely in China and other Asian countries.
But it's gained a lot of popularity worldwide so it's readily available in most places.
Bok choy is simple to make and it cooks fast.
It also pairs nicely with beef broccoli so it'll be unfair to leave it out.
The white and green veggie is flavorsome in any way, but it's even tastier when grilled.
A little bit of butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder and smoked paprika can do the job of making bok choy even better.
4 - Chinese Fried Rice
If you don't have time to get cauliflower for making cauliflower rice, simple fried rice in Chinese style will also make a suitable pairing with beef broccoli.
Chinese fried rice is easy to make.
It's similar to typical fried rice but with Chinese flavors.
So, you'll need soy sauce, scallions, bean sprouts or shelled edamame and sesame oil besides the regular items like oil, onion, peas, carrots and rice.
While any rice is good, long-grain rice is the best option for fried rice.
It's also best to use cold rice for the dish so cook it in advance and let it cool down.
5 - Prawn Crackers
It's always fun to add variety to your menu so how about some prawn crackers to serve with beef broccoli? The crackers taste wonderful and pair nicely with the meat and veggie dish.
Besides, there is little work to do when adding prawn crackers to your menu.
You'll find many brands at the stores so you can grab a few packets.
Look for best-quality products as unknown brands may contain harmful substances.
Prawn crackers melt in your mouth, and everyone loves them so make sure to make several batches, or there won't be enough.
6 - Quinoa Pilaf
You can also add a pilaf with beef broccoli.
But since you have fried rice and cauliflower rice, add a different kind like quinoa pilaf.
It's delicious and compatible with most foods.
Quinoa is an ancient grain indigenous to the Andean region of South America but is now available in many places.
It has high nutritional value, so it has recently gained popularity.
Making quinoa pilaf is easy so you mustn't be worried even if you've never cooked it before.
Quinoa comes in multiple colors and you can use anyone for making the pilaf.
7 - Chinese Cabbage Salad
This salad is similar to coleslaw but with an Asian-style dressing and some extra ingredients.
Chinese cabbage salad is fresh, delicious and compatible with beef broccoli.
Some ingredients in Chinese cabbage salad include mandarin orange, chow mein, and green onion besides the usual cabbage, carrots, bell peppers and onions.
A sesame dressing binds all the items and makes it amazing.
A salad tastes best when you use the freshest veggies, so check carefully when you buy them.
For instance, look for cabbage that's firm to the touch because soft and spongy veggies mean they're rotten.
Any variety should be spotless and glossy with crisp leaves.
8 - Scallion Pancakes
Regular pancakes are delicious but have you tried scallion pancakes? They're incredible and make a lovely pairing with beef broccoli.
They're a savory dish so you'll feel full by the time you finish your meal.
Scallion pancakes usually contain flour, green onions and salt and are cooked in sesame or canola oil.
You can also add red chili flakes if you want some heat in your food.
A suitable Asian-flavored sauce would be perfect for enjoying with scallion pancakes.
But you can also make a sauce of your choice if you don't have the required ingredients.
9 - Thai Cucumber And Pineapple Salad
A veggie and fruit salad is also ideal for beef broccoli.
How about a Thai salad? It's crunchy, and delicious and adds a fresh element and will refresh your palate.
Thai cucumber and pineapple salad is one of the most popular Thai dishes not only in Asia but also in other places.
It's also compatible with beef and broccoli.
Along with cucumber and pineapple, you'll need spring onions, bell pepper, roasted peanuts, fresh coriander and basil.
An Asian-flavored dressing made of soy sauce, brown sugar, fish sauce, garlic, red chile and lime juice binds the salad.
Once combined, you'll have a lovely sweet, sour, and hot salad that balances the meal nicely.
10 - Chow Mein
We're at the last part of the list with one of the most common and popular Chinese dishes; chow mein.
It's flavorful, filling, and makes a suitable partner with beef broccoli.
Chow mein is also one of the simplest dishes to make, and you can work with different ingredients.
There isn't a strict rule to follow for making chow mein except to cook the noodles perfectly because no seasoning or garnish will help if you don't cook the noodles right.
You can make the chow mein vegan or add beef, seafood, pork, chicken or eggs depending on your preference or availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cauliflower Rice Everyone knows that meat and rice make the perfect combination. Egg Drop Soup Soup is another item that you can serve with beef broccoli.
Most home cooks pick this because it adds contrast and rounds out the meal.
Steam or roast a vegetable while the main dish finishes. This side dish is the simplest option since it needs minimal prep.
Toss with olive oil and salt and it is ready in the same time the entrée takes to cook.
Aim for a contrast - if the main dish is soft and saucy, a crispy or firm side adds welcome variety. If it is already textured, a smooth or creamy option rounds things out.
How far ahead can you prep the sides?
Most grain and roasted vegetable sides can be prepped a day ahead.
Store separately and reheat before serving.
Fresh salads and anything with a sauce are better made same-day.