Description
This Easy Beef Stir Fry Recipe is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights. Tender strips of beef are marinated and stir-fried with colorful bell peppers, onions, and a savory, slightly sweet sauce. Serve this vibrant stir fry over rice or noodles for a satisfying meal that's packed with protein and rich flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Marinade
- 20 oz beef steak
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
Sauce
- 3 Tbsp hoisin sauce (or oyster sauce)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar or Shaoxing wine)
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar (or honey or maple syrup or a sugar alternative)
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch (or arrowroot flour or tapioca starch)
- 1 Tbsp water
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 11 oz bell peppers (mixed colors)
- 4 oz onion (1 small)
- 1.4 oz green onions
- 0.3 oz garlic (2 cloves)
- 0.2 oz ginger (1/2 Tbsp minced)
Cooking Oils and Garnish
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (or canola oil)
- Sesame seeds (to taste, raw or toasted)
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Slice the beef steak thinly against the grain. In a bowl, combine the beef with 1 teaspoon cornstarch, baking soda, and sea salt. Toss well to coat and let it marinate for about 10 minutes to tenderize.
- Mix the Sauce: In a separate small bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon water until smooth. Set aside.
- Prepare Vegetables and Aromatics: Slice the bell peppers into strips, thinly slice the onion and green onions, mince garlic, and ginger.
- Heat the Oil and Cook Beef: In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry quickly until browned and just cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside.
- Cook Vegetables: In the same pan, add sesame oil. Add garlic and ginger and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the onions and bell peppers and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until they start to soften but remain crisp.
- Combine and Finish: Return the beef to the pan and pour the prepared sauce over the mixture. Stir well and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and everything is heated through. Add green onions and toss to combine.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the stir fry to a serving plate, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top, and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari soy sauce and ensure hoisin sauce is gluten-free or substitute with oyster sauce.
- Adjust vegetable oil quantity to prevent the dish from being too oily.
- Marinating beef with baking soda helps tenderize tougher cuts quickly.
- Use freshly minced ginger and garlic for the best flavor.
- Serve with jasmine rice or your favorite noodles for a complete meal.
- Customize vegetables based on availability, such as adding broccoli or snap peas.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 541 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 1222 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 87 mg
