Beef with garlic sauce, often referred to as Chinese beef and garlic sauce or garlic beef, is a beloved Chinese takeout dish featuring tender slices of beef sautéed with garlic and other aromatic ingredients then coated in a rich, flavorful garlic sauce. With its bold, savory flavors and easy preparation, it’s no wonder this stir fry has become a go-to menu item at Chinese restaurants across America.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything there is to know about beef with garlic sauce so you can appreciate this tasty dish and even master making it at home.
A Brief History of Beef with Garlic Sauce
While its exact origins are unclear, beef with garlic sauce likely hails from China’s Sichuan province, a region renowned for its bold, aggressively seasoned regional fare. The combination of sliced beef, minced garlic, and spicy chilies mirrors classic Sichuan cooking techniques. Over time, the dish emigrated overseas and became a staple on North American Chinese takeout and buffet menus, where it emerged as a favorite for its simple, satisfying flavors. Fun fact – in Chinese, it’s called 蒜香牛肉, or “suàn xiāng niú ròu” in Pinyin.
Typical Ingredients in Beef with Garlic Sauce
While recipes can vary, these are the core ingredients that come together to create the beloved beef with garlic sauce flavor profile
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Beef – Flank steak, skirt steak, or sirloin are commonly used for their leanness and tenderness. The beef is sliced thinly across the grain.
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Garlic – Lots of minced garlic provides the dish’s signature punch of garlic flavor
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Soy sauce – For saltiness and umami depth.
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Oyster sauce – Adds richness.
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Shaoxing wine – Chinese rice wine that provides aroma.
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Sesame oil – For nutty flavor.
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Cornstarch – Thickens the sauce so it coats the beef.
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Vegetables – Onions, bell peppers, broccoli, and snap peas are popular additions.
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Chili flakes/Sichuan peppercorns – For a touch of heat and numbness.
How to Prepare Beef for Garlic Sauce Perfection
A few special preparation techniques help make the beef perfectly tender and flavorful:
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Velvet the beef – Coating the raw beef strips in cornstarch and egg white tenderizes them.
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Slice beef against the grain – This ensures tenderness when cooking.
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Marinate briefly – A quick marinade in soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, and cornstarch further tenderizes and adds flavor.
Tips for Nailing the Garlic Sauce
The sauce is what sets beef with garlic sauce apart, so getting it right is key. Follow these tips:
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Bloom the garlic briefly in the hot oil before adding other ingredients. This boosts its flavor.
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Use a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce properly and get that clinging consistency.
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Add sauce ingredients in stages – soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, etc. This builds layers of flavor.
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Simmer the sauce to let the flavors meld and the beef absorb it.
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Adjust seasoning – the sauce should taste punchy, salty, sweet, and aromatic when finished.
Serving Suggestions
Beef with garlic sauce is commonly served with:
- Steamed jasmine rice or lo mein noodles
- An additional vegetable side dish like sautéed bok choy
- Optional chillies or Sichuan peppercorn powder for extra heat/numbing effect
For the full American Chinese restaurant experience, pair it with crab rangoon, egg drop soup, and pork fried rice. Yum!
FAQs
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about this popular Chinese dish:
What’s the difference between beef with garlic sauce vs. beef and broccoli?
While similar in preparation, beef with broccoli contains, well, broccoli as the vegetable. Beef with garlic sauce emphasizes the sauce as the star and uses more aromatic vegetables like onions.
Can you make this with chicken, shrimp, or tofu instead of beef?
Absolutely! The sauce pairs well with various proteins. Adjust cooking times as needed.
Is beef with garlic sauce gluten-free?
Most versions contain soy sauce and oyster sauce, which have gluten. Opt for tamari and gluten-free oyster sauce to make it gluten-free.
Can you freeze the leftovers?
Yes, it freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of water.
What’s the best oil for cooking beef with garlic sauce?
A neutral oil like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil allows the fresh garlic flavor to shine. Sesame oil can be overpowering.
How spicy should beef with garlic sauce be?
It ranges from mild to very spicy depending on your preference! Start with a pinch of red pepper flakes and add more as desired.
The sauce can be mixed ahead of time.
- If you’re looking to prep portions of the meal in advance, mixing the sauce ahead of time is an easy way to speed up the process when you go to make the meal. The beef can also go through its baking soda process and then be returned to the fridge and cooked later in the day.