Can I use frozen broccoli in mushroom stir-fry?

Yes. Thaw and dry frozen broccoli if possible, or cook it until extra moisture evaporates.

Is broccoli mushroom stir-fry vegan?

It can be vegan if you use vegetarian mushroom oyster sauce or replace oyster sauce with soy sauce and hoisin.

What protein can I add?

Firm tofu, egg, chicken, shrimp, or beef can be added if you want a larger dinner.

Back to recipe app

Broccoli Mushroom Stir-Fry

By Chinese Food at Home

A vegetable-forward stir-fry with broccoli, mushrooms, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a simple savory glaze.

3 servings
24 minutes
Easy
None heat

Broccoli mushroom stir-fry is designed for cooks who want a vegetable-heavy Chinese-style dinner using ingredients from almost any Western supermarket. Broccoli brings structure, mushrooms bring savory depth, and a small soy-based glaze makes the dish feel complete.

The key is sequence. Broccoli needs a short steam-fry to become tender, while mushrooms need time for moisture to evaporate. Add garlic and sauce near the end so the vegetables stay bright and the sauce remains glossy.

Broccoli and mushrooms are widely available in Western supermarkets and create a satisfying meat-free dinner over rice.

Before You Start

Set up first

Large skillet or wok, Small bowl, Spatula

Key ingredients

broccoli
mushroom
garlic
soy sauce
cornstarch
neutral oil

Beginner prep

Read all steps once before heating the pan, pot, or skillet. Chinese home cooking often moves quickly after the oil or broth is hot.
Measure sauces, chop aromatics, and place ingredients near the stove before you start cooking.
For stir-fries and skillet dishes, keep ingredients separated by cooking order so nothing overcooks while you look for the next item.
If serving with rice, start the rice first so the hot topping is ready at the same time.

Success check: The food should look glossy and hot, with vegetables still holding some texture instead of turning watery.

1. Mix sauce before heating the pan 2. Prepare broccoli and mushrooms 3. Steam-sear the broccoli 4. Brown the mushrooms 5. Add garlic, ginger, and sauce 6. Serve while vegetables keep texture

Ingredients

broccoli: 450 g / 1 lb florets.
mushroom: 250 g / 8 oz.
garlic: 3 cloves.
ginger: 1 tsp grated (optional).
soy sauce: 2 tbsp.
vegetarian mushroom oyster sauce or oyster sauce: 1 tbsp (optional).
cornstarch: 1 tsp.
toasted sesame oil: 1 tsp (optional).
neutral oil: 1 1/2 tbsp.
sesame seeds: 1 tsp (optional).
rice: Cooked rice, to serve (optional).

Steps

Mix sauce before heating the pan
In a small bowl, stir soy sauce, mushroom oyster sauce if using, cornstarch, sesame oil, and 1/4 cup water until smooth. Cornstarch settles quickly, so plan to stir it again right before adding it to the skillet.
Prepare broccoli and mushrooms
Cut broccoli into small florets and slice the mushrooms. Mince garlic and grate ginger if using. Keep sesame seeds nearby for the end. Having everything cut first prevents overcooking the vegetables while you search for ingredients.
Steam-sear the broccoli
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add broccoli and a splash of water. Cover briefly if possible, then uncover and cook until the water evaporates and the broccoli turns bright green.
Brown the mushrooms
Push broccoli to the side or move it to a plate if the pan is crowded. Add mushrooms and cook until they release moisture, the moisture evaporates, and the edges start browning. This gives the dish savory depth.
Add garlic, ginger, and sauce
Add garlic and ginger and stir for 20 seconds. Stir the sauce again, then pour it into the pan. Toss the vegetables while the sauce bubbles and thickens into a light glossy coating.
Serve while vegetables keep texture
Turn off the heat when the broccoli is tender but still green and the mushrooms are coated. Add sesame seeds if using. Serve with rice or as a side before the vegetables soften further.

Western Grocery Notes

Fresh broccoli gives the best texture, but frozen florets work if thawed and dried.
Button, cremini, chestnut, or shiitake mushrooms all work.
Vegetarian mushroom oyster sauce is a useful pantry item for meat-free stir-fries.

Substitutions

Use cauliflower, snow peas, green beans, or bok choy instead of broccoli.
Use hoisin plus soy sauce if mushroom oyster sauce is unavailable.
Add tofu, egg, chicken, or shrimp if you want more protein.

Ingredient Alternatives

Broccoli
Provides the main vegetable and crisp-tender texture.

Alternatives: Fresh broccoli, Frozen broccoli, Cauliflower. Frozen broccoli should be thawed and dried if possible so the sauce does not become watery.
Mushrooms
Add savory depth and make the dish more filling.

Alternatives: Button mushrooms, Cremini or chestnut mushrooms, Shiitake mushrooms. Slice mushrooms thick enough that they brown instead of disappearing.
Vegetarian oyster sauce
Adds rounded umami to the glaze.

Alternatives: Mushroom oyster sauce, Hoisin plus soy sauce, Extra soy sauce. Use mushroom oyster sauce when cooking vegetarian; regular oyster sauce is optional for non-vegetarian kitchens.

Cook Better Next Time

Steam-fry broccoli with a small splash of water before adding sauce.
Brown mushrooms until their moisture evaporates for a deeper flavor.
Mix cornstarch into the sauce before it hits the pan so the glaze thickens evenly.

FAQ

Can I use frozen broccoli in mushroom stir-fry?: Yes. Thaw and dry frozen broccoli if possible, or cook it until extra moisture evaporates.
Is broccoli mushroom stir-fry vegan?: It can be vegan if you use vegetarian mushroom oyster sauce or replace oyster sauce with soy sauce and hoisin.
What protein can I add?: Firm tofu, egg, chicken, shrimp, or beef can be added if you want a larger dinner.

Related Recipes

Mushroom Tofu Rice Bowls
A vegetarian rice bowl with browned tofu, mushrooms, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a simple glossy sauce.
Garlic Bok Choy Tofu Stir-Fry
A vegetarian-friendly tofu and bok choy stir-fry with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a light glossy sauce for rice.
Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry
A practical takeout-style stir-fry using chicken, broccoli, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and cornstarch.

Recipe Collections

Easy Weeknight Chinese Recipes
Fast Chinese home-cooking ideas for busy nights, built around supermarket ingredients and simple pantry sauces.
Beginner Chinese Recipes
Starter Chinese recipes for new home cooks, with clear substitutions and low-risk cooking methods.
Vegetarian Chinese Recipes
Choose Chinese vegetarian dinners, noodles, tofu and egg dishes, with clear notes for replacing chicken stock, oyster sauce and optional meat.
Budget Chinese Recipes
Affordable Chinese home-cooking ideas built from rice, noodles, eggs, cabbage, mushrooms, and basic sauces.
High-Protein Chinese Dinners
Protein-focused Chinese dinner ideas using chicken, beef, tofu, eggs, pork, and practical meat-free alternatives.
Chinese Sauce Recipes
Beginner Chinese sauce recipes and sauce-forward meals, including stir-fry sauce, brown sauce vegetables, chili crisp noodles, ginger scallion sauce, and dumpling dipping sauce.