good beef stir fry recipe

good beef stir fry recipe

The Best good beef stir fry recipe

I’ve been cooking beef stir fry for years, and it’s a recipe that never fails to impress. This dish has its roots in Chinese cuisine, where it’s known as ‘sui mi ya’ or ‘stir-fried meat’. The technique of quickly cooking ingredients in a wok or large skillet is a staple of Chinese cooking, and it’s one that I’ve adapted to my own kitchen with great success.

There’s something about the combination of tender beef, crunchy vegetables, and savory sauce that just hits the spot every time. Whether I’m cooking for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, beef stir fry is always a crowd-pleaser. My kids love it when I serve it with steamed rice or noodles, and my husband appreciates the ease of cooking it up on a busy day.

As for me, I love the flexibility of this recipe – it’s easy to customize with your favorite ingredients and adjust the level of spiciness to suit your taste. Plus, it’s a great way to get in some essential nutrients like iron from the beef and vitamins from the veggies. In short, beef stir fry is a recipe that never gets old – and I’m excited to share my take on it with you today!

I start by slicing my beef into thin strips, then marinating it in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger before cooking it up in a hot skillet with some oil. The key to this dish is getting the timing right – you want to cook the beef quickly over high heat so that it stays tender and juicy. Next, I add in my favorite veggies – bell peppers, carrots, broccoli – along with some chopped onions and garlic for added flavor.

As the ingredients cook down, I stir in some soy sauce and oyster sauce (optional) to give it that signature flavor. Finally, I serve it all up over steamed rice or noodles and voila! A delicious meal that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

Over time, I’ve tweaked this recipe to make it healthier – by using leaner cuts of beef and more veggies than meat. But don’t worry if you’re not watching your diet – this dish is still plenty satisfying even if you do indulge in a bit more meat than usual.

Classic Beef Stir Fry

Classic Beef Stir Fry

4.7 from 789 votes

A quick and savory beef stir fry with tender strips of beef, crisp vegetables, and a flavorful sauce. This dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner and comes together in minutes.

Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Resting Time0 mins
Total Time25 mins
Servings: 4Cuisine: InternationalCalories: 380 kcal

🥘Ingredients

For the Beef and Marinade

1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Stir Fry

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 medium onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

For the Sauce

1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 cup beef broth
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)

👨‍🍳Directions

1In a medium bowl, combine the sliced beef with 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
2Toss well to coat and let marinate for 10 minutes while you prepare the vegetables and sauce.
3In a small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients: 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and 1/2 cup beef broth.
Set aside.
4In another small bowl, prepare the cornstarch slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water until smooth.
5Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering.
6Add the marinated beef in a single layer and cook without stirring for 1 minute to sear.
7Then stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the beef is browned and cooked through.
8Remove the beef to a plate and set aside.
9Reduce the heat to medium-high and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
10Add the sliced bell peppers and onion, and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they are crisp-tender and slightly charred.
11Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
12Return the cooked beef to the wok.
13Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetables, and stir to combine.
14Bring the sauce to a simmer, then add the cornstarch slurry while stirring constantly.
15Cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and vegetables evenly.
16Remove from heat and serve immediately over steamed rice.
17Garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

🔧Equipment

Wok or large skillet
Mixing bowls
Measuring spoons
Chef’s knife
Cutting board
Spatula

📊Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🔥Calories: 380 kcal🧈Total Fat: 18g💛Saturated Fat: 4g❤️Cholesterol: 60mg🧂Sodium: 1200mg🌾Total Carbs: 25g🥦Dietary Fiber: 3g🍬Sugars: 8g🥩Protein: 28g

📝Notes

For best results, slice the beef against the grain into thin strips. You can substitute flank steak with sirloin or ribeye. Add other vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or carrots for variety. Adjust the amount of chili flakes or sriracha for extra heat.

Watch Video Of How Classic Beef Stir Fry Works

Beef stir fry is one of those recipes that’s perfect for any occasion – whether you’re hosting a family gathering or just need something quick and easy for a weeknight dinner. It’s also super versatile – serve it over steamed rice or noodles for a filling meal or use as a topping for salads or wraps for added protein.

Plus, with leftovers galore (and we all know how much we love leftovers!) , this recipe is perfect for meal prep or batch cooking.

And don’t worry about storing leftovers – they’ll keep in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze beautifully for up to 2 months.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Beef Stir Fry

Q: What type of beef should I use for this recipe?

For best results, use thinly sliced beef such as sirloin or ribeye.

Q: Can I use frozen vegetables instead of fresh?

Sure! Just thaw them first by leaving them at room temperature overnight or by microwaving them according to package instructions.

Q: Do I need to marinate the beef before cooking?

Nope! While marinating can add extra flavor, you can skip this step if you’re short on time.

Q: How do I store leftovers?

Store cooked beef stir fry in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

Q: Can I serve this dish as a main course or side dish?

This recipe works well either way – just adjust serving sizes accordingly.

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