Spicy Garlic Beef Stir-Fry
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ToggleA quick and flavorful stir-fry featuring tender strips of beef, crisp vegetables, and a bold spicy garlic sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.
⏱ Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty: Easy
🛒 Ingredients
For the Beef
- 1½ lbs (680 g) flank steak, sirloin, or ribeye, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 4 green onions, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
Spicy Garlic Sauce
- ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (or more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup beef broth or water
For Cooking
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Garnish
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
- Fresh cilantro (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Beef
In a bowl, combine:
- Beef
- Cornstarch
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Black pepper
Mix well and let marinate for 15–20 minutes.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together:
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Hoisin sauce
- Brown sugar
- Rice vinegar
- Sriracha
- Chili garlic sauce
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Sesame oil
- Cornstarch
- Beef broth
Set aside.
Step 3: Cook the Beef
Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat.
Cook the beef in batches for 2–3 minutes until browned.
Remove and set aside.
Step 4: Stir-Fry the Vegetables
Add the remaining oil.
Cook:
- Onion
- Bell peppers
Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.
Add:
- Garlic
- Ginger
Cook for 30 seconds.
Step 5: Combine
Return the beef to the pan.
Pour in the prepared sauce.
Stir continuously for 2–3 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and vegetables.
Step 6: Serve
Garnish with:
- Sesame seeds
- Green onions
- Fresh cilantro
Serve immediately.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Steamed jasmine rice
- Fried rice
- Brown rice
- Garlic noodles
- Lo mein
- Cauliflower rice
- Stir-fried vegetables
💡 Tips
- Slice the beef very thinly for the most tender texture.
- Cook the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Use high heat for the best stir-fry flavor.
- Prepare all ingredients before cooking, as stir-frying moves quickly.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha and red pepper flakes to suit your preferred spice level.
🔄 Variations
- Chicken Stir-Fry: Replace beef with sliced chicken breast or thighs.
- Shrimp Version: Use peeled, deveined shrimp and reduce the cooking time.
- Vegetarian: Substitute tofu or mushrooms for the beef.
- Extra Veggies: Add broccoli, snap peas, carrots, baby corn, or mushrooms.
- Low-Carb: Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
🥜 Allergen Information
Contains:
- Soy (soy sauce, hoisin sauce)
- Wheat (soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce may contain wheat)
- Sesame (sesame oil, sesame seeds)
Does NOT Contain:
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts
- Milk
- Eggs
Nut-Free Tips
- The recipe is naturally free of peanuts and tree nuts.
- If serving someone with a severe nut allergy, check all bottled sauces and seasonings for possible cross-contamination warnings.
- Use certified gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce if you need a gluten-free version.
🥗 Nutrition (Approx. Per Serving)
- Calories: 395
- Protein: 33 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 880 mg
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Nutrition values are approximate and may vary based on ingredient brands and serving sizes.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What cut of beef is best for stir-fry?
A: Flank steak, sirloin, ribeye, or skirt steak are excellent choices because they cook quickly and stay tender when sliced thinly against the grain.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes. Slice and marinate the beef and prepare the sauce up to 24 hours in advance. Cook just before serving for the best texture.
Q: Can I freeze it?
A: Yes. Let the cooked stir-fry cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Q: How do I reheat leftovers?
A: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes or microwave until heated through. Add a splash of water or beef broth if the sauce becomes too thick.
Q: Can I make it less spicy?
A: Absolutely. Reduce or omit the sriracha, chili garlic sauce, and crushed red pepper flakes for a milder version.
Q: Is this recipe gluten-free?
A: It can be. Use gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce and choose certified gluten-free oyster and hoisin sauces.
Q: Can I add more vegetables?
A: Yes! Broccoli, snow peas, mushrooms, zucchini, bok choy, carrots, and baby corn are all delicious additions that pair well with the spicy garlic sauce.
