Description
This Savory Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight dinner. Tender flank steak marinated in soy sauce and cornstarch is stir-fried with crisp onions, bell peppers, and aromatic garlic and ginger, then simmered in a savory beef broth and oyster sauce blend. Finished with a touch of sesame oil and fresh green onions, this dish offers authentic Asian flavors in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Marinade
- 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (substitute tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 large onion, sliced (shallots can be used)
- 2 cloves garlic, freshly minced
- 1 cup bell pepper, sliced (any color)
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
Sauce and Garnish
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or any cooking oil)
- 1 cup beef broth (can substitute chicken broth)
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce (use mushroom oyster sauce for vegetarian)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Marinate the Beef: In a bowl, combine the thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 2 teaspoons cornstarch. Mix well and let it marinate for about 15 minutes to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Cook the Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the beef is browned but not fully cooked through. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside.
- Stir-fry Vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the same pan. Add the sliced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Stir-fry these vegetables for 3-5 minutes until they are tender but still crisp.
- Add Ginger: Stir in the minced fresh ginger and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the cooked beef to the pan. Pour in 1 cup of beef broth and add 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce. Stir to combine everything well and cook for 2-3 minutes until the beef is heated through and the sauce slightly thickens.
- Finish with Sesame Oil and Seasoning: Drizzle 1 teaspoon of sesame oil over the stir-fry. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Mix well to evenly distribute flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the stir-fry from heat. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, substitute soy sauce with tamari and use gluten-free oyster sauce.
- To make it vegetarian, replace beef with firm tofu and use mushroom oyster sauce instead of regular oyster sauce.
- Slice the flank steak thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness.
- Adjust the vegetables according to seasonality or preference; snap peas or mushrooms work well.
- The oyster sauce adds umami; if unavailable, a mixture of soy sauce and a little sugar can substitute in a pinch.
- Do not overcook the beef during stir-frying to keep it tender.
