This beef stir-fry recipe is easy to make at home and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Easy and delicious dishes like my grilled chicken thighs and one-pot stuffed pepper casserole. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious meal that’s sure to satisfy.
When it comes to making stir-fry, the key is to use tender cuts of beef and a flavorful sauce. I particularly enjoy experimenting with different aromatic spices and herbs. If you are like me and beef is your fav l recommend you also try my Asian beef short ribs and beef empanadas.
There’s no shortage of ways to make this easy dish your own. And best of all, it’s a homemade meal that’s sure to impress your family and friends.
Table of contents
Why I Love This Recipe
- Versatile with ingredients: I can simply alter the recipe to use any veggies I have on hand, so it may change to reflect the seasonality of the foods.
- Fully flavorful: The blend of garlic, spices, and savory sauces produces a robust, deep flavor that entices me to return for more.
- Easy yet satisfying: Packed full of fresh vegetables and lean meat, this dish strikes a good balance without sacrificing taste or comfort.
What You’ll Need
For the Marinade
- Beef Sirloin: Used for its tenderness and rich flavor. Beef sirloin is ideal for stir-frying, as it cooks quickly and stays juicy.
- Soy Sauce: Light soy sauce adds salty, savory flavor and umami flavor
- Cornstarch: Gives the beef that protective layer that allows it to develop a velvety and soft texture.
- Baking Soda: To tenderize the beef.
- Chinese Cooking Wine (Shaoxing Wine): This is an optional ingredient. Adds depth and complexity to the stir-fry with a slightly sweet and nutty taste.
The Sauce
- Light Soy Sauce: adds salty, savory flavor and umami-rich taste to the dish
- Dark Soy Sauce: deepens the color and imparts a slightly sweet, umami-flavor
- Oyster Sauce: Contributes a thick, rich, and slightly sweet umami flavor that complements the beef and vegetables.
- Ground Black Pepper: Add layers of spiciness, with black pepper contributing a bold, earthy flavor.
- White Pepper: Provides a sharper, more pungent heat.
- White Vinegar: Gives the dish some sharpness and tartness.
- Brown Sugar: Sweet flavor to balance the saltiness.
- Chili Oil: adds heat to the dish.
For The Stir-Fry
- Green Bells Pepper (Capsicums): adds color and crunch.
- Red Bells Pepper (Capsicums): brings slight sweetness and color.
- Aromatics: 1 large onion, 3 cloves of fresh garlic, ginger, and spring onions.
- Vegetable oil: Used for stir-frying, it has a high smoke point and neutral flavor, making it ideal for cooking at high heat without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Whole Chilies: (optional) Introduce heat and spiciness to the dish, balancing the savory and sweet elements with a bold, fiery flavor
How to Make Beef Stir-Fry
When preparing a delicious beef stir fry, you need to ensure that you have the right equipment and techniques. A wok, frying pan, or large skillet is ideal for stir-frying, as it allows for high heat and even cooking.
- Step 1: Marinate the beef
- Step 2: Make the sauce
- Step 3: Stir-fry in progress
- step 4: Finish and serve
Recipe Tips & Tricks
When making delicious non-vegetarian dishes like beef fry, the first step is to prepare the beef properly. Here are some tips to make sure your beef is ready for cooking.
- Choose the Right Cut: Choosing the right cut of beef is crucial for a good beef fry. You want a cut that is tender and flavorful. Some popular cuts for beef stir-fry include scotch fillet, ribeye, sirloin, strip lion, and rump.
- Marinating for Flavor: Marinating the beef is key to adding flavor and tenderizing the meat.
- To get that perfect sear on the beef, make sure the pan is hot before adding the oil.
- Use coconut oil or vegetable oil, as they have a high smoke point.
- To retain the crunchiness of the vegetables in your beef stir-fry, it’s important to cook them quickly over high heat.
- Start with the harder vegetables, like carrots and broccoli (if using), and then add the softer ones, like bell peppers, onions, and snow peas.
- The bottom-of-the-pan flavor from cooking the beef will enhance your overall stir-fry.
Beef Stir-Fry Variations
- Vegges: Opt for seasonal veggies like carrots, peas, and broccoli.
- Chili: You can remove the chili’s if you don’t like spicy foods.
- Protein: Use other meat types like chicken, fish, and prawns.
- Meatless stir-fry: stir-fried vegetables with broccoli, snow peas, or bok choy, tofu or eggplant.
- Suace: make an alcohol free version.
Serving Suggestions For Beef Stir-Fry
- Steamed rice: To let the beef stir-fry’s flavorful sauce soak in. I love to serve it over fluffy white or brown rice.
- Mashed Potatoes or cauliflower mash: The creamy base will soak the stir-fry sauce.
- Noodles or Pasta: It tastes great with rice or egg noodles for a heartier, more satisfying supper.
- Cauliflower rice: Adds a wonderful texture without overwhelming the stir-fry. It is a great low-carb choice.
Storage
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to three days and reheated in the microwave or on the stove.
Beef stir-fry is a versatile and delicious dish that can be customized to your liking. Experiment with different veggies and sauces to find your perfect combination.
Beef Stir-Fry Recipe
Our savory beef stir-fry is a delectable combination of tender beef strips, aromatic garlic and ginger, and a rich blend of traditional Chinese sauces. Enhanced with a touch of pepper powder and black pepper, this recipe is bursting with flavor and perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Equipment
- Stirring utensil
Ingredients
Marinating The Beef
- 500 g beef sirloin - thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 tbsp chinese cooking wine - Shaoxing wine
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 tbsp oil - vegetable or coconut oil
The Sauce
- ⅓ cup light soy sauce
- ½ tsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- ½ tsp ground white pepper
- 2 tsp ground black pepper
- 4 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp chilli oil
For the stir-fry
- sliced vegetables such as bell green and red peppers
- 3 cloves garlic - minced
- 1 tbsp ginger - minced
- 1 onion - sliced
- 3 whole dried chilli - optional
- 1 tbsp cornstarch - mixed with water (optional)
- 1 spring onion
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Beef
- In a mixing bowl, combine the thinly sliced beef with soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine), cornstarch, baking soda, and oil. Toss well to coat the beef evenly in the marinade. Allow the beef to marinate for at least 20 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
- In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, ground white pepper powder, chili oil, white vinegar, and ground black pepper powder
Step 3: Prepare the Wok
- Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking.
Step 4: Stir-Fry the Beef
- Toss onions, garlic, and ginger for a few seconds and push them to the side.
- Add the marinated beef to the hot wok, spreading it out in a single layer. Allow it to sear without stirring for about 1-2 minutes to develop a nice brown crust.
- Once the beef is browned, stir-fry continuously for another 2-3 minutes until cooked through and no longer pink. Add the vegetables, green and red bell peppers, to the wok and toss to soften to tender-crisp, but make sure they still have great color.
- Add the sauce and toss till everything is well coated.
- Add spring onions and whole dried chilli, give everything, and quick mix.
- Adjust seasoning with additional soy sauce or salt if needed.
Step 5: Serve
- Transfer the beef stir fry to a serving platter and garnish with sesame seeds or cilantro, if desired.
- Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- Customization: Feel free to customize the level of sweetness and spiciness according to your taste preferences. Start with smaller amounts of sweet and spicy ingredients, tasting as you go, and adjust accordingly.
- Cooking Techniques: To achieve the perfect stir-fry texture, ensure that your wok or skillet is hot before adding the ingredients. Cook the beef quickly over high heat to maintain its tenderness and prevent it from becoming tough.
- Vegetable Options: While this recipe focuses on beef, you can also add your favorite vegetables to the stir-fry for added flavor and nutrition. Sliced broccoli florets, snap peas, or mushrooms are excellent choices.
- Garnishes: Elevate the presentation and flavor of your dish by garnishing it with toasted sesame seeds before serving.
- Meal Prep: This Beef Stir-Fry is perfect for meal prep and can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop before serving.
- Serving Suggestions: Enjoy this sweet and spicy beef stir-fry on its own as a flavorful main course, or pair it with steamed rice, noodles, or quinoa for a satisfying meal.
- Leftovers: If you have leftovers, consider repurposing them into wraps, sandwiches, or salads for a quick and easy lunch option.
Nutrition
Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 800mg | Potassium: 400mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 3mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed and personalised calculations.
