Description
A quick and flavorful Easy Beef Stir Fry recipe featuring tender strips of beef cooked with vibrant bell peppers, onions, and a tangy, savory, slightly sweet sauce perfect for busy weeknights. Serve with rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Marinade
- 20 oz beef steak
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
Sauce
- 3 Tbsp hoisin sauce (or oyster sauce)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar/Shaoxing wine)
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar (or honey/maple syrup/a sugar alternative)
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch (or arrowroot flour/tapioca starch)
- 1 Tbsp water
Vegetables
- 11 oz bell peppers (mixed colors)
- 4 oz onion (1 small)
- 1.4 oz green onions
- 0.3 oz garlic (2 cloves)
- 0.2 oz ginger (1/2 Tbsp minced)
Oils and Garnish
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (or canola oil)
- sesame seeds (to taste, raw or toasted)
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef Marinade: Slice the beef steak into thin strips. In a bowl, combine the beef with 1 tsp cornstarch, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/2 tsp sea salt. Mix well and let it sit for 10 minutes to tenderize.
- Mix the Stir Fry Sauce: In a separate small bowl, whisk together 3 Tbsp hoisin sauce, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp rice vinegar, 1 Tbsp brown sugar, 1 Tbsp cornstarch, and 1 Tbsp water until smooth. Set aside.
- Prepare Vegetables: Slice the bell peppers into strips, peel and cut the onion into wedges, chop the green onions, mince the garlic and ginger.
- Cook the Beef: Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the beef strips in a single layer and stir fry quickly until browned but not fully cooked, about 2-3 minutes. Remove beef from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables: In the same pan, add 1 Tbsp sesame oil. Add minced garlic and ginger and stir fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then add the onion and bell peppers; stir fry for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Combine and Finish: Return the beef to the pan along with the green onions. Pour in the prepared stir fry sauce. Stir continuously for about 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and the beef is fully cooked.
- Serve: Remove from heat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds to taste. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- Use hoisin or oyster sauce based on preference for a slightly different flavor.
- Substitute rice vinegar with apple cider vinegar or Shaoxing wine for an interesting twist.
- Prepare all ingredients before cooking for a smooth stir fry process.
- Adjust sweetness by replacing brown sugar with honey or maple syrup if desired.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce and verify all other ingredients.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 541 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 1222 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 87 mg
