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A vibrant beef stir fry with colorful vegetables in a wok

Proven way to grow 5-star Beef Stir Fry meals

This recipe guides you through creating a delicious beef stir-fry, ensuring perfectly tender beef and flavorful vegetables. It's a quick and satisfying meal perfect for any weeknight.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Beef and Marinade
  • 1 lb beef sirloin, flank, or round steak, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 0.5 tsp baking soda optional, for extra tender beef
Stir-fry Sauce
  • 0.08 cup beef broth or water
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce optional, for umami depth
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp ginger, grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
Vegetables and Aromatics
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil or peanut oil
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 cup carrots, thinly sliced
  • 1 bell pepper (any color), sliced
  • 0.5 onion, sliced
  • 1 cup snow peas or snap peas
  • 2 green onions, chopped for garnish
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds for garnish

Equipment

  • Large skillet or wok
  • Medium bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Whisk

Method
 

Marinate the Beef
  1. In a medium bowl, combine the sliced beef with soy sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, and optional baking soda, then mix well and set aside for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes at room temperature.
Prepare the Sauce
  1. Whisk together beef broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), rice vinegar, brown sugar, grated ginger, minced garlic, and cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth and set aside.
Stir-fry the Beef
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering, then add the marinated beef in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until browned, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.
  2. Remove the cooked beef from the pan and set it aside, ensuring it is slightly undercooked as it will finish cooking with the vegetables.
Stir-fry the Vegetables
  1. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the same skillet or wok, then add the broccoli and carrots and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until slightly tender-crisp.
  2. Add the bell pepper and onion, and continue to stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
  3. Stir in the snow peas or snap peas during the last minute of cooking.
Combine and Serve
  1. Return the beef to the skillet with the vegetables, give the stir-fry sauce a quick whisk, and pour it over the beef and vegetables.
  2. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats everything, then remove from heat and serve immediately over rice or noodles.
  3. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Notes

For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. Adjust vegetables based on seasonal availability and personal preference. Ensure all ingredients are prepped before you start cooking, as stir-frying is a very fast process. This helps maintain the quality and crispness of the vegetables.