Stir fry beef is a versatile ingredient that can be used to make a variety of quick, easy and delicious meals. From Asian-inspired dishes to tacos, pasta and more, the possibilities are endless. Here are 19 tasty recipe ideas for what you can make with stir fry beef.
Understanding Stir Fry Beef
Before diving into recipes, let’s first understand what stir fry beef is Stir fry beef usually comes from cuts of meat that are tender and have the right balance of fat, making them ideal for quick cooking methods over high heat
The best cuts of beef for stir frying include
- Flank Steak: Known for its bold flavor and tenderness, this cut is perfect for stir frying.
- Sirloin: A more affordable option, sirloin offers a good balance of tenderness and flavor.
- Tenderloin: The most tender cut, it cooks quickly and is great for special occasions.
When shopping for beef, look for meat that is bright red and well-marbled. Avoid cuts that are brown or have excessive fat.
Preparing Stir Fry Beef
To get the best results when stir frying beef follow these preparation tips
- Slice the beef thinly against the grain – this will keep it tender when cooked quickly.
- Marinate the beef for 30 minutes up to overnight to infuse flavor and further tenderize. A simple marinade can include soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil.
- Ensure your pan or wok is very hot before adding beef to get a nice sear and prevent steaming.
- Cook the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
19 Tasty Stir Fry Beef Recipes to Try
Now let’s explore some delicious ways to use stir fry beef:
1. Beef and Broccoli
The classic! Tender beef and fresh broccoli cooked in a savory soy sauce mixture. Quick and satisfying.
2. Beef Fajitas
Marinated strips of flank steak cooked with bell peppers and onions. Wrap in warm tortillas and top with your favorite fixings.
3. Beef Teriyaki
Beef coated in a sweet and sticky teriyaki sauce. Serve over rice or noodles.
4. Stir Fry Noodles
Toss strips of beef with udon, ramen or rice noodles, veggies and a flavorful sauce.
5. Mongolian Beef
Tender beef in a thick, savory sauce with scallions. Often served over rice.
6. Beef Pho
Thinly sliced beef and rice noodles in a fragrant, complex broth topped with herbs.
7. Kung Pao Beef
Spicy and flavorful dish with beef, veggies, peanuts and chili peppers.
8. Beef Tacos
Seasoned ground beef or steak strips piled high on warm corn or flour tortillas.
9. Beef Stir Fry Salad
Strips of beef with lettuce, veggies and a tangy dressing for a lighter meal.
10. Cheesesteak Stir Fry
Thinly sliced steak, peppers, onions and melted cheese. Serve in a sandwich or over rice.
11. Beef Chili
Ground beef simmered in a tomato-based chili sauce with beans, tomatoes, peppers and spices.
12. Beef Lo Mein
Wheat noodles tossed with marinated steak, veggies and savory sauce.
13. Beef Bulgogi
Thin slices of Korean marinated beef served over rice.
14. Steak Frites
Pan seared steak served with crispy french fries and garlic aioli.
15. Beef Stroganoff
Tender beef in a creamy mushroom sauce. Typically served over noodles.
16. Beef and Vegetable Kebabs
Marinated steak and colorful veggies grilled on skewers.
17. Philly Cheesesteak
Shaved steak, cheese, peppers and onions piled high on a hoagie roll.
18. Beef Stir Fry Soup
Thin strips of beef and veggies in a flavorful broth. Can be spicy or mild.
19. Beef and Potato Tacos
Ground beef mixed with diced potatoes, seasoning and toppings in warm tortillas.
Tips for Cooking Perfect Stir Fry Beef
Follow these tips to take your stir fry beef to the next level:
- Use very high heat and keep ingredients in motion to cook quickly while preventing burning.
- Cut beef and veggies into uniform, bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
- Add aromatics like garlic, ginger and chilies at the end to preserve their flavors.
- Use a neutral oil with high smoke point like canola, peanut or grapeseed oil.
- Mix together sauce ingredients like soy sauce, vinegar, hoisin, oyster sauce, etc and add near the end.
- Let cooked beef rest for a few minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve stir fries immediately while the ingredients are piping hot. Enjoy over rice or noodles.
As you can see, stir fry beef is incredibly versatile. With an array of flavors, textures and cultural influences, the possibilities are endless. Follow the preparation tips and recipe ideas here to make quick, healthy and tasty beef stir fries that will become staples in your home cooking rotation. Get creative with marinades, veggies, spices and sauces to put your own twist on classic dishes. Happy stir frying!
Prepare the sauce and vegetables
Meanwhile, mix the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and the cornstarch slurry into a separate bowl.
Then, mince the garlic and ginger. Cut the green onions so the green parts are cut lengthwise (into long strips) and the white parts are sliced into rounds. Slice the bell peppers (removing the ribs/seeds) and onions (pole to pole) into even-sized strips.
Add 1/3 the oil to a large skillet/wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the beef in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary) and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, untouched, until it’s no longer pink.
Add another 1/3 of the oil to the pan and stir-fry the peppers and onions until tender-crisp (2-3 minutes).
If you decide to use other veggies too, add them to the pan in order of how long they cook (e.g. hard veg like carrots and broccoli first).
Then, heat the remaining oil, reduce the heat to medium, and sauté the garlic and ginger for just 1-2 minutes.
Then add the stir-fry sauce and cornstarch slurry (mix/whisk well beforehand) to the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until it becomes glossy and thickens.
If the sauce isn’t thick enough, add more cornstarch slurry. If it’s too thick, add beef broth.
Add the cooked ingredients back into the pan along with the green onions, toss, then serve – enjoy!
Top tips for the best beef stir fry
- Freeze the beef: Just 30 minutes in the freezer will firm it up enough to make it much easier (and quicker) to slice (against the grain).
- For super tender beef: Marinate it for 30 minutes and don’t omit the baking soda.
- Use a wok if possible: It provides more even heat distribution than a skillet.
- Use a HOT pan: This ensures the beef cooks quickly and achieves a sear while remaining super juicy. Ingredients should sizzle as soon as they hit the pan.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: It’s best to cook beef stir fry in a single layer, in batches if necessary, to ensure it cooks evenly and produces browning/a sear for the best flavor.
- Stir-fry the meat and veg separately: So no ingredient ends up undercooked. Likewise, depending on the veg you use, add them to the pan incrementally so they all finish at the same time.
- To avoid overcooked veggies: Make sure they’re still tender-crisp before adding the sauce, as they’ll continue to cook when heating in the sauce.
- Tweak the flavors: Adjust the sauce ingredients to your taste buds (i.e., more salty, tangy, sweet, etc.).
This dish already provides fiber, protein, and several nutrients and is perfect for serving with a carb/starch dish like:
You could also enjoy it with more cooked veggies (like sautéed green beans or bok choy), a salad (like Asian broccoli salad or crunchy cucumber salad), or turn them into lettuce cups.
You can cut the beef and veg a day in advance and stir the sauce ingredients (not the slurry).
Once cooked, leftovers store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Leave it to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
I like to reheat stir-fry on the stove over low or medium-low heat. A microwave, at 50% power in 30-second increments, will also work. Stir well between each increment, and note that the veggies will soften more as they reheat.
Beef And Onion Stir Fry ｜Tender And Juicy Beef
FAQ
How to cook a stir-fry beef?
Heat vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat; add beef and stir-fry until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Move beef to the side of the wok and add broccoli, bell pepper, carrots, green onion, and garlic to the center of the wok; stir-fry vegetables for 2 minutes.
What are the three rules of stir frying?
The first is to cook your protein and your vegetable separately, and combine them only after both are fully cooked. A second rule of thumb for stir-frying: Choose one vegetable per stir-fry. Finally, always remember to add liquid only after everything is more or less finished cooking.
What meal can I make with ground beef?
- Salisbury Ground Beef. …
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- One-Pan Beef and Chickpeas. …
- One-Pot Taco Pasta. …
- Easy Beef Krapow. …
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