The Best Beef Stir Fry Recipe: A Quick and Flavorful Meal
This beef stir fry recipe is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender beef, vibrant vegetables, and a savory homemade sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy stir fry is perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner. Serve it with rice or noodles for a complete meal!
Ingredients
For the Beef:
- 1 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 tbsp soy sauce low sodium recommended
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp baking soda optional, for extra tenderness
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp grated ginger
For the Stir Fry Vegetables:
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 cup snap peas
- ½ cup carrots julienned
- ½ cup mushrooms sliced
- 1 tbsp vegetable or peanut oil for frying
For the Stir Fry Sauce:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce optional, for sweetness
- 1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional, for spice
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water for thickening
For Garnish:
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp chopped green onions
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Beef
- In a bowl, combine the sliced beef with soy sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, baking soda, garlic, and ginger.
- Mix well and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes (or up to 1 hour for deeper flavor).
Step 2: Prepare the Stir Fry Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, and cornstarch slurry. Set aside.
Step 3: Stir-Fry the Beef
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat.
- Add the marinated beef in a single layer. Sear for 1-2 minutes per side until browned but not fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
Step 4: Stir-Fry the Vegetables
- In the same pan, add another 1 tbsp oil if needed. Toss in the carrots, bell peppers, snap peas, and broccoli. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.
- Add the mushrooms and cook for another 1 minute.
Step 5: Combine & Finish
- Return the seared beef to the wok and pour in the prepared stir fry sauce.
- Toss everything together and stir-fry for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and vegetables evenly.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy
- Remove from heat and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
- Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles and enjoy your homemade beef stir fry recipe!