Description
This Chinese beef and onion stir fry is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender thinly sliced beef sirloin or flank steak cooked with sweet onions, bell pepper, garlic, and ginger. Enhanced with a savory soy sauce marinade and nutty sesame oil, this stir fry delivers an authentic Asian taste perfect for serving over rice or noodles. Ready in just 35 minutes, it makes a satisfying weeknight meal for four.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Marinade
- 500 grams (1 lb) beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced into thin strips (red or green)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 4 green onions, chopped (white and green parts separated)
Oils and Sauces
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Optional Garnish
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: Slice the beef, onions, and bell pepper into thin strips. Mince the garlic and ginger. Chop the green onions, keeping the white and green parts separate for cooking and garnish.
- Marinate beef: In a bowl, combine the sliced beef with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Let it marinate for 15-20 minutes to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Sear beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated beef and sear for 2-3 minutes until browned. Continue to stir-fry until the beef is cooked through, then remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook aromatics and vegetables: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and ginger, and stir-fry for 30 seconds to release their fragrance. Add the sliced onions and bell pepper, cooking for 3-4 minutes until they soften but remain slightly crisp.
- Combine and finish stir-fry: Return the cooked beef to the skillet. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 2 tablespoons sesame oil. Toss everything together to combine well, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Add green onions and serve: Stir in the white parts of the green onions, cooking for another minute. Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with the green parts of the green onions and optional sesame seeds. Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- For best tenderness, slice the beef thinly against the grain.
- You can substitute flank steak with sirloin or any quick-cooking beef cut.
- If preferred, use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce salt content.
- Add a splash of water or broth if the stir fry seems dry during cooking.
- Optional: Add chili flakes for a spicy kick.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the crisp texture of vegetables.
