Spicy Beef Stir Fry (Printable version)
A vibrant, sizzling dish featuring tender beef strips, crisp vegetables, and a spicy, savory sauce for a quick, flavorful meal.
# Ingredient List:
→ Beef
01 - 1 pound flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
02 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
03 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 red bell pepper, julienned
05 - 1 yellow bell pepper, julienned
06 - 1 medium onion, sliced
07 - 1 cup snow peas, trimmed
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
→ Sauce
10 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce
11 - 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
12 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
13 - 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce (adjust to taste)
14 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
15 - 1 teaspoon brown sugar
→ Garnish
16 - 2 spring onions, sliced
17 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
# How to Make It:
01 - In a bowl, toss the beef strips with cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. Set aside to marinate for 10 minutes.
02 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar until well combined.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon of neutral cooking oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked. Remove the beef from the wok and set aside.
04 - Add an additional 1 tablespoon of oil to the wok. Introduce the sliced onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger, stir-frying for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Incorporate the julienned bell peppers and trimmed snow peas into the wok; continue to stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
06 - Return the seared beef to the wok. Pour in the prepared sauce, tossing all ingredients to coat evenly.
07 - Continue to stir-fry for an additional 2–3 minutes, allowing the beef to cook through and the sauce to slightly thicken.
08 - Garnish the stir-fry with sliced spring onions and toasted sesame seeds just before serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It's incredibly quick to pull together, making it perfect for those weeknights when you want maximum flavor with minimal fuss.
- The balance of tender beef, crisp vegetables, and that irresistible spicy&savory sauce will have you coming back for seconds every single time.
02 -
- Crowding the wok is the enemy of a good stir fry; cook the beef in batches if necessary to ensure it sears, not steams.
- Always have all your ingredients prepped and within arm's reach before you even turn on the heat; stir frying moves fast!
03 -
- Slice your beef thinly and uniformly for even cooking; partially freezing it for 15 minutes before slicing makes this much easier.
- Don't overcrowd the pan; cook the beef and vegetables in batches if necessary to maintain high heat and achieve that perfect sear.