A quick and flavorful beef stir fry packed with tender beef and crisp vegetables, perfect for a weeknight meal.
Ingredients:
- For the Beef Marinade:
- 1 pound flank steak or sirloin steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- For the Stir Fry:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or peanut oil)
- 1 bell pepper (any color), sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup carrots, sliced or julienned
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, grated.
- Optional vegetables: snap peas, mushrooms, zucchini, bok choy.
- For the Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari)
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce (or hoisin sauce for vegetarian option)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (or honey)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 cup beef broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (slurry)
- Cooked rice or noodles, for serving
- Optional garnish: sesame seeds, chopped green onions
Instructions:
- Marinate the Beef:
- In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced beef with soy sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, and black pepper.
- Toss well to coat the beef. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce (or hoisin), rice vinegar, brown sugar (or honey), sesame oil, and beef broth. Set aside.
- Stir Fry the Beef:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat.
- Add the marinated beef and stir-fry quickly until browned on all sides, about 2-3 minutes. Remove the beef from the wok and set aside.
- Stir Fry the Vegetables:
- Add the sliced onions, bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli to the same wok. Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes, or until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and stir for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Combine and Thicken:
- Return the cooked beef to the wok with the vegetables.
- Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetables.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer.
- Slowly stir in the cornstarch slurry, and cook until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
- Serve:
- Serve the beef stir fry immediately over cooked rice or noodles.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired.
Tips and Variations:
- For spicier stir fry, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce.
- Adjust the vegetables to your liking. Other great options include snow peas, mushrooms, and zucchini.
- Make sure your wok or skillet is very hot before adding the beef, this will help it to sear quickly.
- Cut all of your vegetables to a similar size to promote even cooking.
- If you do not have oyster sauce, you can add extra soy sauce, and a touch more brown sugar.
- For a gluten free version, ensure that you use tamari, and gluten free oyster sauce, or hoisin sauce.