Beef Stir-Fry with Vegetables
User Reviews
4.9
-
Prep Time
30 mins
-
Cook Time
10 mins
-
Total Time
40 mins
-
Servings
3
-
Calories
377 kcal
-
Cuisine
Chinese
Beef Stir-Fry with Vegetables
Description
The recipe starts with preparing the beef by coating it in a marinade that includes cornstarch and baking soda, which helps tenderize the meat and contribute to a smooth texture when stir-fried. After marinating for at least 30 minutes, the beef cooks in a very hot wok in batches to avoid overcrowding and maintain a good sear. While the beef rests, aromatics like ginger and garlic are quickly cooked, then vegetables including bok choy, mushrooms, and snap peas are added and lightly stir-fried to maintain crispness and freshness. The sauce composed of light and dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and sugar ties the elements together. A cornstarch slurry thickens the sauce, which is tossed with the beef and vegetables to coat evenly.
This stir-fry presents a flavorful balance of tender beef and crisp-tender vegetables with a savory, slightly sweet sauce. It can be served over rice or noodles for a complete meal. Timing and heat control are crucial to achieve the desired texture on both meat and vegetables, avoiding overcooking.
Ingredients
For the beef and marinade:
- 12 ounces flank steak (sliced ⅛-inch/3mm thick into 2-3 inch/6-7cm pieces)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons neutral oil (such as vegetable, canola, or avocado oil)
- 1 teaspoon water
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
For the rest of the dish:
- 4 cups bok choy (cut into 1x3-inch (2.5x7.5cm) pieces, washed and drained)
- ¾ cup Bunashimeji mushrooms or Beech mushrooms; washed and drained
- ¾ cup sugar snap peas washed and drained, or snow peas
- ½ cup water or beef stock or chicken stock, warm
- ¼ teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce light
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce (or mushroom-flavored dark soy sauce if you have it)
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
- 3 tablespoons neutral oil (such as vegetable, canola, or avocado oil, divided)
- ½ teaspoon ginger minced
- 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch (mixed into a slurry with 1 tablespoon water)
Instructions
- Mix together the beef with the marinade ingredients (cornstarch, oil, water, and baking soda) until well-coated. Set aside for at least 30 minutes (or overnight, if making ahead).
- Next, prepare your veggies—we're using bok choy, mushrooms, and snap peas, but you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand.
- Now prepare the sauce mixture. In a small bowl, mix the warm water (or stock), sesame oil, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce and sugar.
- Heat your wok over high heat until it's lightly smoking. Spread 2 tablespoons of oil around the perimeter to coat. Add the beef, and use your metal wok spatula to spread the beef in one even layer. Sear for 30 seconds. Turn the beef to sear the other side for another 30 seconds. At this point, the beef should be about 80% done. Turn off the heat and remove the beef from the wok.
- Next, with the heat back on high, add the remaining tablespoon of oil and the ginger. Cook for 10 seconds, and add the garlic. After 5 seconds, add the mushrooms and stir fry for another 15 seconds, giving them a good sear. Add the Shaoxing wine.
- Next, add the snap peas and the bok choy, and stir-fry on the highest heat for another 20 seconds, until the bok choy begins to wilt. Stir in the prepared sauce mixture and add the beef back to the wok. Gather everything in the center of the wok.
- When everything comes back up to a simmer and the sides of the wok begin to super-heat, stir-fry everything in a circular motion so the beef and vegetables hit the sides of the wok.
- Pour the cornstarch slurry in the center of the wok while stirring. The sauce will immediately thicken, so work fast to stir everything together for another 20 seconds to coat everything in the sauce. (There should not be any standing sauce—it should be clinging to the beef and vegetables.) Serve!
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 3Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 377 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 377kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 12g | 4% |
| Protein | 29g | 58% |
| Fat | 23g | 35% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 68mg | 23% |
| Sodium | 797mg | 33% |
| Potassium | 917mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 4435IU | 89% |
| Vitamin C | 57.3mg | 64% |
| Calcium | 136mg | 14% |
| Iron | 3.4mg | 19% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
You'll Also Love
