Quick Beef Stir Fry Recipe
Let me take you on a culinary journey with my go-to sizzling stir-fry that turns a simple weeknight dinner into an epic flavor fiesta! 🍜✨
I adore making speedy and delicious dishes, and my Speedy Beef Stir Fry is a good case in point. This dish is made with very thinly sliced beef sirloin, which I find to be just right in flavor, tenderness, and fast cooking.
The beef is cooked with the sort of seasonings that make you think of the Asian part of the world. There’s lots of garlic and ginger, two flavor bombs that bring this dish to life.
And then there are the vegetables. Bright, crunchy, and colorful, they are (or at least should be) a part of almost any quick meal you can conceive.
Ingredients
- Beef Sirloin: High in protein, supports muscle growth, rich in iron.
- Soy Sauce: Adds umami flavor, contains salt and amino acids.
- Oyster Sauce: Savory, sweet, enhances depth of dish’s flavor.
- Garlic: Antioxidant-rich, boosts heart health, adds aromatic flavor.
- Ginger: Aids digestion, anti-inflammatory, introduces warmth and spice.
- Bell Pepper: Rich in vitamins A, C, adds color and crispness.
- Broccoli: High in fiber, Vitamin K, C; provides crunch and nutrients.
- Carrot: Good source of beta-carotene, sweetens and adds texture.
- Onion: Enhances flavor complexity, rich in vitamins and quercetin.
- Sesame Oil: Aromatic, adds nutty depth, contains heart-healthy fats.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, minced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 carrot, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
How to Make this
1. Mix well in a bowl and let it marinate for 15 minutes.
2. In a large pan or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the beef slices in the hot oil until they are browned. Take the beef out of the pan and put it aside.
3. In the same frying pan, put the rest of the tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the minced garlic and minced ginger, and stir-fry until they smell really good.
4. Put in the onion slices, and stir-fry for approximately 2 minutes until they begin to soften.
5. Add the bell pepper, broccoli florets, and carrot slices to the pan. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender and crisp.
6. Combine the beef with the vegetables by returning it to the pan.
7. Incorporate the sugar, salt, and pepper. Ensure that all ingredients are combined thoroughly.
8. 2 tablespoons of water and sesame oil are mixed in, stirred to combine, and heated through.
9. If needed, taste it again and adjust the seasoning.
10. Place on a serving dish, sprinkle with sesame seeds if you like, and serve hot.
Equipment Needed
1. Mixing bowl
2. Measuring spoons
3. Large pan or wok
4. Cooking spoon or spatula
5. Knife
6. Cutting board
7. Serving dish
FAQ
- What type of beef is best for this stir fry?Beef sirloin is recommended for this recipe because it is tender and flavorful when sliced thinly.
- Can I use a different oil instead of vegetable oil?Certainly, any oil with a high smoke point can be used, including:
– Canola oil
– Peanut oil - Is there a substitute for oyster sauce?To substitute, you can use hoisin sauce, but it will definitely slightly change the flavor.
- How can I make the stir fry more spicy?To bring the heat, add some sliced chilies or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Can I add other vegetables?For sure! You can toss in your beloved veggies such as snap peas, mushrooms, or zucchini.
- How do I prevent the beef from becoming tough?Ensure that you slice the beef very thinly against the grain and cook it very quickly over high heat.
- What can I serve with this stir fry?It goes perfectly with noodles or steamed rice, making for a well-balanced meal.
Quick Beef Stir Fry Recipe Substitutions and Variations
Beef sirloin: For a lighter option, substitute chicken breast or tofu.
Tamari or coconut aminos can be used in place of soy sauce for a gluten-free alternative.
Oyster sauce: Use hoisin sauce or mushroom soy sauce for a vegetarian version.
Substitute vegetable oil with canola oil or peanut oil for a distinct flavor profile.
Broccoli florets: Use snap peas or green beans for an equally crunchy substitute.
Pro Tips
1. Slice Against the Grain: When preparing the beef sirloin, ensure that it’s sliced against the grain to make it more tender. This helps break down the muscle fibers, resulting in a juicier, easier-to-chew texture.
2. High-Heat Stir-Fry: Use high heat for stir-frying to quickly sear the beef and vegetables. This retains their texture and color while ensuring the beef remains juicy. Make sure you do not overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming the ingredients.
3. Preheat the Wok or Pan: Before adding oil, ensure your wok or pan is sufficiently hot. This prevents food from sticking and helps in the caramelization process, enhancing flavor.
4. Marinating the Beef Longer: If time permits, extend the marinating period for the beef to 30 minutes or even longer. This allows the flavors from the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch to penetrate the meat more thoroughly, intensifying its taste and tenderness.
5. Flash-Cook Vegetables: To preserve the vibrant colors and crispness of the vegetables, briefly blanch them in boiling water before stir-frying. Alternatively, you can place a lid on the pan for a minute or two while cooking to steam them lightly, ensuring they’re cooked but still crisp.
Quick Beef Stir Fry Recipe
My favorite Quick Beef Stir Fry Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Mixing bowl
2. Measuring spoons
3. Large pan or wok
4. Cooking spoon or spatula
5. Knife
6. Cutting board
7. Serving dish
Ingredients:
- 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, minced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 carrot, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Mix well in a bowl and let it marinate for 15 minutes.
2. In a large pan or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the beef slices in the hot oil until they are browned. Take the beef out of the pan and put it aside.
3. In the same frying pan, put the rest of the tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the minced garlic and minced ginger, and stir-fry until they smell really good.
4. Put in the onion slices, and stir-fry for approximately 2 minutes until they begin to soften.
5. Add the bell pepper, broccoli florets, and carrot slices to the pan. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender and crisp.
6. Combine the beef with the vegetables by returning it to the pan.
7. Incorporate the sugar, salt, and pepper. Ensure that all ingredients are combined thoroughly.
8. 2 tablespoons of water and sesame oil are mixed in, stirred to combine, and heated through.
9. If needed, taste it again and adjust the seasoning.
10. Place on a serving dish, sprinkle with sesame seeds if you like, and serve hot.