Cooking Beef Stir Fry

When you don’t feel like dirtying up multiple pans or spending more than 30 minutes on dinner during a busy weeknight, a beef stir fry can come in clutch. With tender slices of beef, crisp vegetables, and a savory sauce, it’s a meal that delivers on taste and nutrition while being super easy to prepare. 

Learn what beef you need to buy, how to make a stir fry sauce, and how to change up a basic beef stir fry recipe to make it all your own. 

What is Stir Fry? 

We often refer to stir fry as a type of meal, but it’s actually a specific cooking method. When you use the stir fry cooking method, you cook ingredients over high heat in a small amount of oil, typically in a wok or large skillet. This technique originates from Chinese cuisine and involves constant stirring to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking. 

Stir fry often includes a protein, like beef or chicken, plus fresh vegetables and a flavorful sauce to create a balanced and colorful dish. It’s a great way to combine proteins and veggies in one pan for easier clean-up and a fuss-free meal. Plus, stir-fry meals are extremely customizable, so you can always adapt a recipe, like the one we include below, to add your favorite sauce, meat, and veggies for a whole new flavor profile. 

What Cut of Beef Is Best For Beef Stir-Fry? 

For beef stir fry, you’ll want to use a tender, flavorful cut that cooks quickly. Popular options include sirloin, flank steak, skirt steak, or tenderloin. These cuts are lean, making them ideal for slicing into thin strips that cook evenly over high heat. 

When buying beef for stir fry, look for cuts with visible marbling, which adds flavor and helps keep the meat tender during quick cooking. Choose fresh, bright red beef with a firm texture. If you’re using flank or skirt steak, slice it thinly against the grain to create tender bites that are easy to chew. Ask your butcher for recommendations or buy pre-sliced stir fry beef to save time. 

How to Make Stir Fry Sauce 

A typical stir fry sauce blends sweet, tangy, and savory flavors to pull your dish together. While there are lots of ways to make a delicious stir fry sauce, we’ll focus on a basic version so you can get an idea of how to do it. 

A basic stir fry sauce typically includes soy sauce, chicken stock, and a touch of sugar or honey for sweetness. You can add sesame oil for nuttiness, minced garlic and ginger for aromatics and extra flavor, and rice vinegar or lime juice for acidity. To thicken the sauce, whisk in some

cornstarch. 

To make beef stir fry, you’ll prepare the sauce separately and add it during the final stages of cooking. Pour it over your beef and vegetables, stirring constantly to coat everything evenly. As it heats, the cornstarch thickens the sauce to evenly coat the meat and vegetables. 

Tips for Success 

Follow these tips to make an incredible beef stir fry each time: 

● Slice the beef properly: Always slice the beef thinly and against the grain. This keeps the meat tender by breaking up connective tissue and ensures it cooks quickly and evenly. 

● Marinate for extra flavor: Use a beef marinade on your meat to help tenderize it before cooking. For best results, allow it to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2-4 hours or, preferably, overnight. 

● Preheat the wok or skillet: Start with a hot wok or skillet to ensure your ingredients sear rather than steam. By doing so, you’ll get that golden-brown crunch that really amps up the dish. 

● Don’t overcook the vegetables: Stir fry vegetables just until they’re tender-crisp. This keeps their vibrant color, texture, and nutrients intact. Overcooking veggies can make them soggy and add unnecessary moisture to your beef stir fry. 

● Cook watery veggies separately: Vegetables with high water content, like broccoli, zucchini, and spinach, release water while cooking, resulting in a watery sauce. Cook these vegetables separately before adding them to the meat and sauce mixture. 

● Finish with fresh elements: Consider garnishing your stir fry with green onions, sesame seeds, or a drizzle of sesame oil for an extra burst of flavor or texture. 

Easy Beef Stir Fry Recipe 

Start with this basic beef stir fry recipe. Once you get it down, consider experimenting with the variations listed below. 

Ingredients 

● 1 lb flank steak or sirloin 

● 3 cups mixed vegetables of your choice, like broccoli, snap peas, carrots, and bell peppers 

● 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce 

● 1 tablespoon honey 

● 2 teaspoons sesame oil 

● 2 tablespoons cornstarch, divided 

● Salt and pepper, to taste 

● 1 teaspoon sugar 

● 1 tablespoon minced garlic 

● 1 teaspoon minced ginger 

● 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided 

● Optional garnish: sliced green onions, sesame seeds 

Instructions

1. Slice the steak against the grain. 

2. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with salt and pepper. Toss the sliced beef in the mixture and set aside. 

3. In another bowl, combine the soy sauce, honey, sugar, garlic, sesame oil, ginger, and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Set aside. 

4. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Stir fry the beef in batches for 2-3 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside. 

5. Add another tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Stir fry the vegetables for 4-5 minutes until tender-crisp. 

6. Return the beef to the skillet, pour in the sauce, and toss to coat. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and everything is heated through. 

7. Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds and serve hot over rice or noodles.

Beef Stir Fry Recipe Variations 

Beef stir fry is virtually endlessly customizable, so there’s no shortage of variations you can use to make your recipe different and new each time. By changing the spices, sauces, and vegetables you use, you can create numerous unique flavors. 

Start with the sauce, as it tends to be the star of the flavor show for beef stir fry. For a tangy twist, try a teriyaki-style sauce with soy sauce, honey, and a splash of pineapple juice. If you enjoy bold, spicy flavors, swap the sauce for a mix of hoisin, sriracha, and chili flakes. Or, if you want something lighter, try a citrus-based sauce with orange juice, ginger, and a touch of soy to brighten the dish. 

As for vegetables, swap traditional broccoli and bell peppers for zucchini, mushrooms, or bok choy. For extra crunch, toss in water chestnuts or bean sprouts. Add carrots, snow peas, or edamame for color and texture. Then, take your stir fry in different directions through spice. Try adding Chinese five-spice powder for depth. 

Spices and aromatics can also take your stir fry in different directions. Try adding Chinese five-spice powder for depth or a dash of ground cumin for a warm, earthy flavor that pairs well with beef. 

What to Serve with Beef Stir Fry 

While beef stir fry can be a meal all on its own, it’s common to serve it with steamed jasmine or basmati rice, which soak up the flavorful sauce. For a low-carb alternative, you can use cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. 

If you’re looking for something with more substance, try adding a side of crispy spring rolls or dumplings. Or, a simple cucumber salad with sesame dressing can add a refreshing crunch, while sautéed greens like bok choy or spinach complement the stir fry’s richness with light, vibrant flavors. 

Conclusion 

Beef stir fry is a quick, delicious, savory, and satisfying meal. With endless variations and flavor combinations, it’s perfect for any occasion. For a premium stir fry experience, try using Chicago Steak Company’s high-quality sirloin steak. It’s tender, flavorful, and perfect for quick cooking,

and it ships from our facilities to your home, saving you a trip to the store.