Enjoy healthy grilled beef and broccoli skewers, marinated for flavor and perfect for quick dinners or summer BBQs!
Healthy Grilled Beef and Broccoli Skewers
Grilling is one of my favorite ways to cook, especially when it involves something tasty and healthy, like these grilled beef and broccoli skewers. There’s just something about creating a meal that’s quick, flavorful, and feels like a restaurant dish right in your own backyard. I first made these on a warm summer evening, and they’ve become a regular dinner staple in my house! The beef gets perfectly charred, while the broccoli gives a nice balance. They’re perfect for a simple weeknight dinner or a BBQ with friends. Paired with rice or a fresh salad, it’s a meal that hits all the right notes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Grilling tender beef and fresh, crunchy broccoli is truly something special. The beef, marinated in a sweet and tangy soy sauce, gets that perfect flavor, making every bite delicious. These skewers are ideal for anyone looking to eat well without spending too much time in the kitchen. Whether you’re making a quick meal or hosting a BBQ with friends, they fit the bill perfectly. Plus, they’re low in calories, so you can indulge without any guilt!
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Grilled Beef and Broccoli Skewers
1. Marinate the Beef: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, honey, sesame oil, grated garlic, grated ginger, and kosher salt. Season with black pepper to taste. Divide the marinade into two bowls. Coat the beef cubes in one bowl and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to 8 hours in the fridge for deeper flavor.
2. Prepare the Broccoli: While the beef marinates, cut the broccoli into florets, ideally 1 to 1.5 inches in size. This ensures they cook evenly alongside the beef. Any extra can be roasted as a delicious side dish.
3. Soak the Skewers: If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 20 minutes. This step prevents burning on the grill—no one wants charred skewers!
4. Assemble the Skewers: Once the beef is marinated and broccoli is ready, it’s time to assemble! Start with a scallion piece on the skewer, followed by a broccoli floret and a cube of beef. Repeat until the skewer is filled, finishing with a scallion. You should have about 8 skewers.
5. Grill or Broil: Preheat your grill to high. Cook the skewers for about 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare beef, basting with the reserved marinade as they cook. If you don’t have a grill, broil them in the oven for 4 minutes on each side to achieve a nice caramelization on the beef and a light char on the broccoli.
6. Serve: Once cooked to your preference, serve the skewers hot! They’re perfect on their own or alongside rice or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Tips and Tricks
- Don’t over-marinate: While you can marinate the beef for up to 8 hours, don’t go beyond that, or the meat may become mushy.
- Use fresh ginger and garlic: It makes a world of difference compared to the jarred versions. Trust me on this one!
- Keep the grill hot: High heat is key to getting those perfect grill marks and caramelization on your beef.
- Broccoli size matters: Make sure your broccoli florets aren’t too big, or they’ll take longer to cook than the beef.
- Variations: Want to mix it up? Try adding bell peppers or mushrooms to the skewers for extra veggies!
Variations
Storage Tips
If you have leftovers (though I doubt you will!), you can store the grilled skewers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, just pop them back on the grill for a couple of minutes or in the microwave. However, these skewers are best enjoyed fresh off the grill.
More Beef Recipes
Healthy Grilled Beef and Broccoli Skewers
Ingredients
- 16 ounces trimmed NY strip steak
- 1 large head of broccoli
- 6 to 8 medium scallions
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free, or coconut aminos for soy-free options.
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinega
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic grated
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher sal
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Marinate the Beef: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, honey, sesame oil, grated garlic, grated ginger, and kosher salt. Season with black pepper to taste. Divide the marinade into two bowls. Coat the beef cubes in one bowl and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to 8 hours in the fridge for deeper flavor.
- Prepare the Broccoli: While the beef marinates, cut the broccoli into florets, ideally 1 to 1.5 inches in size. This ensures they cook evenly alongside the beef. Any extra can be roasted as a delicious side dish.
- Soak the Skewers: If you're using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 20 minutes. This step prevents burning on the grill—no one wants charred skewers!
- Assemble the Skewers: Once the beef is marinated and broccoli is ready, it’s time to assemble! Start with a scallion piece on the skewer, followed by a broccoli floret and a cube of beef. Repeat until the skewer is filled, finishing with a scallion. You should have about 8 skewers.
- Grill or Broil: Preheat your grill to high. Cook the skewers for about 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare beef, basting with the reserved marinade as they cook. If you don’t have a grill, broil them in the oven for 4 minutes on each side to achieve a nice caramelization on the beef and a light char on the broccoli.
- Serve: Once cooked to your preference, serve the skewers hot! They’re perfect on their own or alongside rice or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Soy-free option: Substitute soy sauce with coconut aminos for a soy-free version.
- Cook the beef to your preference: If you like your beef more well-done, grill for an extra minute or two on each side.
- Make-ahead: Marinate the beef up to 8 hours in advance for deeper flavor.
- Don’t skip the marinade: It adds a ton of flavor and keeps the beef tender.
- Serve with a dipping sauce: A light yogurt-based sauce or extra soy sauce on the side complements these skewers perfectly.
Nutritional Information
Each skewer is packed with protein and fiber, making it a balanced and nutritious option for a healthy dinner. Plus, by using lean NY strip steak and lots of veggies, you’re keeping things light but still satisfying.- Protein: 29.5
Carbs: 11
Fat: 5