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Irresistibly Delicious beef stir-fry Recipes to Elevate Your Meals

Delicious classic beef stir-fry Recipes

Learn how to make a classic beef stir-fry with tender beef strips, fresh veggies, and savory sauce. Perfect for quick, flavorful weeknight meals
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 People

Equipment

  • 1 Wok or Large Skillet A wok is ideal for stir-frying due to its high sides and heat distribution, but a large skillet works well too
  • 1 Sharp knife For cutting beef strips and vegetables into uniform sizes.
  • 1 Cutting Board A surface that is sturdy to prepare your ingredients.
  • 1 Mixing Bowls For marinating the beef and preparing the stir-fry sauce.
  • 1 Tongs or Spatula To toss and stir the ingredients evenly during cooking
  • Measuring Spoons and Cups For precise measurements of sauce ingredients.

Ingredients
  

Ingredients for Classic Beef Stir-Fry

Here’s what you’ll need to make a classic beef stir-fry:

For the Stir-Fry:

  • 1 pound of beef strips flank steak or sirloin
  • 2 cups of mixed vegetables bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, or mushrooms
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil e.g., canola or sesame oil

For the Marinade:

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic minced

For the Stir-Fry Sauce:

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons beef or chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water to make a slurry

Instructions
 

Step-by-Step Instructions

    Prepare the Beef:

    • To ensure tenderness, cut the beef into thin strips against the grain. In a mixing bowl, combine the beef with the marinade ingredients (soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic). Let it marinate for at least 20 minutes.

    Prep the Vegetables:

    • Wash and cut the vegetables into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. Set them aside in a bowl.

    Make the Sauce:

    • In a small bowl, whisk together the stir-fry sauce ingredients (soy sauce, broth, honey, rice vinegar, and cornstarch slurry). Set aside.

    Heat the Wok:

    • Place the wok on high heat until it starts to smoke slightly. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and swirl to coat the surface.

    Cook the Beef:

    • Add the marinated beef in batches to avoid overcrowding. Sear the strips for 1-2 minutes on each side until browned but not fully cooked through. Remove and set aside.

    Cook the Vegetables:

    • Add the remaining oil to the wok. Toss in the vegetables and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until they are crisp-tender.

    Combine and Sauce:

    • Return the beef to the wok and pour in the prepared sauce. Toss everything together and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and vegetables evenly.

    Serve:

    • Transfer the stir-fry to a serving plate and garnish with toasted sesame seeds or chopped green onions. Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice or noodles.

    Notes

     
    The estimated calorie count for this recipe is approximately 350–400 calories per serving. Here’s a breakdown of where the calories come from:
    • Beef Strips (1 pound, flank steak or sirloin): ~640 calories (~160 calories per serving)
    • Vegetables (2 cups, mixed): ~100 calories (~25 calories per serving)
    • Stir-Fry Sauce (soy sauce, broth, honey, etc.): ~120–150 calories (~30–40 calories per serving)
    • Vegetable Oil (2 tablespoons): ~240 calories (~60 calories per serving)
    If served with steamed jasmine rice, you can add ~160 calories per 1/2 cup of cooked rice per serving.