Beef Stir Fry
Hearty beef dinner.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- 25-minute weeknight winner.
- Use whatever vegetables you have.
- Restaurant-quality silky beef texture.
- One pan, easy cleanup.
- Customizable heat and sauce.
Ingredient Notes
- Flank, sirloin, or top round all work — they all stay tender if sliced thin against the grain.
- Shaoxing wine adds depth no other ingredient matches; dry sherry is the closest sub.
- Oyster sauce adds umami the dish can't be without.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Snap peas, mushrooms, baby corn, or bok choy in place of any vegetable.
- Tamari + 1 tsp fish sauce for gluten-free.
- Hoisin for oyster sauce if needed.
Equipment Needed
- Wok or 12-inch nonstick skillet
- Small bowl for marinade
- Small bowl for sauce
- Wooden spatula
Prep Tips
- Cut all vegetables to similar size for even cooking.
- Mise en place is non-negotiable — once the wok is hot, you have 5 minutes total.
Instructions
- 1
Gather and prep: 1 lb ground beef, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 3 cloves garlic, minced, 1 ginger, 1 medium bell pepper, sliced, 1 small head broccoli, cut into florets (about 3 cups), 1 medium onion, diced, 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice. mince the garlic, dice the onion, grate the ginger, and chop the vegetables into even pieces before you start cooking.
- 2
Slice beef thin, marinate in soy.
- 3
Stir-fry beef; remove.
- 4
Cook veg, return beef with sauce. Pull beef at 130°F for medium-rare or 140°F for medium; rest 5 minutes, then slice against the grain.
- 5
Serve over rice.
Artsi Pro Tips
- Slice beef while it's partially frozen — it's much easier to cut paper-thin slices.
- Always slice against the grain. Cross-grain slicing shortens muscle fibers and makes tougher cuts tender.
- Velveting (soy + cornstarch) is the takeout secret that gives beef a silky texture.
Common Mistakes
- Slicing with the grain, which makes beef chewy.
- Cooking on medium heat — stir-fry needs the pan smoking-hot.
- Overcrowding the pan, which steams the beef instead of searing.
Storage
Refrigerate up to 4 days.
Reheating
Reheat in a hot skillet over medium-high for 2 minutes with a splash of water. Microwave at 70% power.
Recipe Tags
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary depending on ingredients used.