Stir fry beef offers a world of flavorful possibilities in the kitchen. This quick, easy, and versatile ingredient can transform a weeknight dinner or impress guests at your next dinner party. If you’re wondering “What should I cook with stir fry beef?” – you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we’ll explore an array of delicious recipes, cooking tips, and ingredient pairings to unlock the full potential of stir fry beef. From classic dishes to global cuisine, let’s dive in and get cooking!
Understanding Stir Fry Beef
First things first – what exactly is stir fry beef? It typically consists of thin strips of tender beef such as flank steak, sirloin, or tenderloin The thin cuts allow the beef to cook quickly over high heat This cooking method helps seal in the juices and flavors.
When selecting beef for stir frying opt for bright red meat with good marbling. Excess fat or sinew should be trimmed off. For best results, slice the beef against the grain into thin 2-3 inch strips.
Essential Prep Tips
Follow these tips to ensure stir fry success:
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Marinate the beef: A simple marinade of soy sauce, oil, garlic, and ginger enhances flavor. 30 mins to 2 hours is ideal.
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Velvet the beef: Coating the beef in cornstarch helps it stay tender when cooked. Just toss the strips in cornstarch before cooking.
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Heat the pan or wok: Use high heat and wait until smoking hot before adding beef. This seals the meat.
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Cook in batches: Avoid overcrowding the pan which causes steaming. Cook the beef in small batches.
Top 15 Recipes to Make with Stir Fry Beef
Ready to get cooking? Here are 15 amazing recipes to try with stir fry beef:
1. Classic Beef and Broccoli
The quintessential takeout favorite, made easy at home. Just stir fry marinated beef with bite-size broccoli florets in a savory sauce. Serve over steamed jasmine rice.
2. Beef and Vegetable Stir Fry
A colorful medley of beef and crunchy vegetables like bell peppers, snap peas, mushrooms, and baby corn tossed in a ginger soy glaze.
3. Beef Lo Mein
Stir fried beef tossed with lo mein noodles, bean sprouts, shredded cabbage, and carrot. Garnish with green onions.
4. Mongolian Beef
Tender beef coated in a sweet, savory sauce made with soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic then stir fried with onions and green onions.
5. Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry
Beef infused with a sweet and salty homemade teriyaki marinade then stir fried with vegetables and served over rice.
6. Spicy Szechuan Beef Stir Fry
Spice lovers will enjoy the burst of heat from chili peppers and Szechuan peppercorns in this dish, balanced by cooling cucumber slices on the side.
7. Thai Basil Beef
Ground beef stir fried with basil, bell peppers, onions, fish sauce, and chili garlic sauce for a taste of Thailand.
8. Beef Bulgogi
Korean marinated beef, known as bulgogi, is stir fried with mushrooms, onions, carrots, and kimchi for a flavorful dish.
9. Philly Cheesesteak Stir Fry
Thinly sliced beef, onions, bell peppers, and melted cheese reminiscent of a Philly cheesesteak sandwich but in stir fry form.
10. Beef Stir Fry Soup
Warm up with a hearty soup starring beef, vegetables, noodles or rice, and a savory broth. Garnish with fresh herbs.
11. Taco Beef Stir Fry
Transform taco night by stir frying taco-spiced ground beef with onions and peppers. Stuff in tortillas or taco shells with toppings.
12. Beef and Potato Stir Fry
Hearty strips of beef paired with crisp potato wedges make a satisfying low carb meal. Herbs and garlic add big flavor.
13. Beef Stir Fry Salad
Chilled salad with lettuce, cucumbers, bell peppers, and stir fried beef tossed in a ginger sesame dressing. Top with wontons.
14. Beef and Pineapple Stir Fry
A sweet and savory combo: Beef, pineapple chunks, bell pepper, and onion glazed in a tangy teriyaki and pineapple juice sauce.
15. Beef Fried Rice
The perfect use for leftover rice – tossed with seared beef, peas, carrots, scrambled eggs, and soy sauce.
With endless possibilities, you’ll never get bored cooking with stir fry beef! Try out different sauce flavors, vegetables, and noodles or rice.
Cooking Tips for Perfectly Cooked Beef
Follow these expert tips to achieve tender, flavorful beef every time:
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Use very high heat to quickly sear the exterior. This traps in juices.
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Cut beef across the grain into thin strips so it cooks fast.
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Don’t overcook! Cook just until beef reaches desired doneness.
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Let beef rest for 5 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute.
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Add aromatics like garlic at the end to avoid burning.
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Use a neutral oil with high smoke point like canola or peanut oil.
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Mix a little baking soda into the marinade to further tenderize beef.
Best Ingredients to Pair with Beef
Beyond the usual veggies, here are some unique ingredients to pair with beef:
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Pineapple: Sweet, tangy pineapple balances out the savory beef.
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Water chestnuts: Crunchy texture and mild flavor is a great addition.
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Peanuts or cashews: Chopped nuts add nuttiness and crunch.
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Coconut milk: Adds creamy richness to stir fry sauces.
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Thai basil: Its licorice-anise flavor pairs well with beef.
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Lime juice: Brightens up beef flavors. Squeeze over finished dish.
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Sesame seeds: Toasted sesame seeds make a nice garnish.
Sample Stir Fry Sauce Recipes
The sauce makes all the difference! Whip up one of these easy homemade sauces:
Teriyaki Sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 2 tbsp mirin or rice vinegar
Spicy Thai Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 2-3 tbsp sriracha
- 2 lime juices
- 2 tsp brown sugar
Chinese Brown Sauce
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 3 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp cornstarch
With this handy guide, you’ll be able to create amazing beef stir fry meals with confidence. Just gather your ingredients, fire up the wok, and let your culinary creativity shine. Happy stir frying!
How to make beef stir fry
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Prep all your ingredients. Slice the steak into thin strips. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the stir fry sauce ingredients. Add half the oil to a skillet, and get it sizzling hot. Fry the veggies, tossing often, to desired tenderness. Set aside.
Add the rest of the oil to the skillet, and arrange the beef fairly spread out. Leave it for a minute to cook, then toss and cook for a short while longer. A little rare is ok. Return the veggies to the skillet, and toss with the sauce. Heat until thickened. Serve right away with rice or noodles.
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- My 12″ Staub skillet is pictured. It’s a good size, and the meat isn’t too crowded in this one. Overcrowded beef will steam vs. fry.
- A Microplane is handy for grating the ginger.
- I like this cutting board. It’s sturdy with plenty of space for chopping the veggies.
- Kitchen tongs make it easy to toss the stir fry.
- You can sub flank steak for sirloin or tenderloin if you like.
- If you want to use frozen broccoli, thaw it first, and you will likely need to cook it for less time as it’s already partially cooked.
- Prefer a sweeter sauce? Add another tablespoon or so of honey.
- This recipe isn’t particularly spicy as written, so feel free to increase the crushed red pepper flakes or leave them out altogether if you want it mild.
- You can definitely change up the veggies, just be sure they’re cut into similar size pieces so they cook at a similar rate (e.g. if adding carrots, slice them very thin or use matchstick cut carrots).
Beef And Onion Stir Fry ｜Tender And Juicy Beef
FAQ
What is usually served with stir-fry?
“A quick and easy dish to prepare, this chicken stir-fry is packed with veggies,” says recipe creator Katie Sechrist. “Try adding bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, snap peas, or any of your favorite vegetables. Serve it with white rice, brown rice, or noodles.”
What is best for beef stir-fry?
Flank steaks are the most popular choice for making a stir-fry. However, you can also use sirloin steak, skirt steak, Denver steak, or even beef chuck. Beef chuck steak is the most economical choice, but it does require some extra trimming. You’ll want to remove the tough tissue from the steaks before frying.
Can you make beef stir fry at home?
This easy Beef Stir Fry is a weeknight dinner favorite and is easy to make at home. It has tender beef, a flavorful sauce, and lots of colorful veggies. Serve with rice or noodles for a well-rounded meal! This Beef Stir Fry recipe is the best kind of meal!
What is beef stir fry?
Beef Stir Fry is a delicious, savory, and convenient dish that combines tender flank steak with a rainbow of veggies, all brought together with a flavorful Stir Fry sauce. What’s special about this recipe is that you can easily make it at home using an Instant Pot, which is a versatile kitchen appliance.
Should you use a wok to make beef stir-fry?
If possible, you should use a wok to make beef stir-fry. Woks are large and have sloping sides that let you cook the entire stir-fry in one pan, so you can easily stir and flip the food without fear of it flying out. They also are designed to cook foods quicker than skillets and with less oil.