For those who want to cook more at home, this recipe for Chinese Beef Stir Fry makes a great choice. This recipe is as easy to make as your favorite Chinese takeout and takes less time than ordering. This simple, flavorful dish is perfect for a family dinner.

This is Why You Will Love It

Weeknights can be hectic if your home is anything like mine. This delicious tender beef stir-fry is the perfect meal for those wild nights. It takes just 15 minutes to prepare. It can also be designed ahead of time to pack lunches.

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This pack is packed with stir-fried beef and vegetables so you can feel good about giving it to your family. This recipe is without any preservatives, colors, or MSG, unlike many restaurant recipes.

Gluten-free? You can swap out the soy sauce for coconut aminos or tamari. You can adjust the spice to your taste by adding or removing red pepper flakes.

My recipe for beef and vegetable stir-fry also contains a trick to ensure that your beef is tender. It only takes a few more minutes, but it is worth it.

This stir-fry beef recipe is a must-try. This is the best takeout faux out recipe!

Ingredients

Although the ingredient list may seem daunting at first glance, you probably have many of these ingredients in your kitchen already.

Also, note that the marinade as well as the sauce for this quick beef stir fry is one and the exact same. This is my favorite Chinese stir-fry sauce. Even though you will need to purchase a few ingredients, you’ll be using them often.

This beef stir-fry Paleo can be made with coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. You can also use arrowroot flour to replace cornstarch. You have two options: omit brown sugar, or use maple syrup, honey, or agave.

Tenderize Beef

Combine thinly sliced 8 oz beef with 3/4 teaspoon baking powder. Mix it with your hands (or tongs if you are feeling adventurous) and let it rest for 30 minutes. Rinse the beef and drain the excess water. Pat dry the beef a little with a paper towel.

TIP Although this step can be skipped, it will make the beef tenderer. This step is highly recommended!

Stir fry marinade & sauce

Mix all sauce ingredients together in a small bowl. Stir to combine.

TIP Make a slurry of the cornstarch with two tablespoons of water, then add it to the sauce. This will ensure that the cornstarch does not clump.

Marinate beef in stir-fry sauce

Mix 1/3 of the prepared marinade/sauce with the beef slices. Cover and let cool in the refrigerator for 20 minutes or more.

TIP: Do your preps take a lot of time? The marinade can be used to coat the meat and then frozen for up three months.

Cook the Beef and Vegetables in Stir Fry Sauce

On medium heat, heat vegetable oil in a wok or saucepan. After the oil has gotten hot, add chopped ginger and garlic to the pan and let them cook for about 15 seconds.

TIP To get the best results to, use a neutral oil that has a high smoke point. Vegetable oil is my favorite, but avocado, grapeseed, and corn oil are all good options.

Mix in the marinated beef. Heat on high heat, stirring constantly until it turns light brown. This should take about 2 to 3 minutes.

Place the beef on one side of a pan. Add chopped scallion whites and sliced onion to the other side and cook for 30 seconds.

Stir in bell peppers, and cook for 15 seconds more. Mix the remaining marinade ingredients with 2 tablespoons of water. Mix the sauce with the meat and veggies. Cook for 30-45 seconds.

Toss in sesame oil. Sprinkle sesame and scallion greens on the wok and turn off the heat.

Expert Tips

This will give you the best texture and flavor for your beef stir fry. To get the best pieces, make sure you are cutting against them. You can slice as much as 1/4 inch, but you should aim for 1/8 inch.

For a better way to slice steaks, put them in the freezer for around 45 minutes. It’s not necessary to freeze the meat entirely, but it makes it easier to cut.

To avoid overcooking your beef make sure your pan is hot. When you turn the oil, it should appear streaky like the “legs” in a glass of wine. Sear the meat quickly and remove it from the heat when it is done.

Can I use frozen vegetables with this stir-fried beef recipe

Yes! Yes! Frozen vegetables can retain the same crispiness as fresh but they will still taste delicious.

They will retain the same nutritional value as fresh vegetables, but at a fraction of their cost. Before you stir-fry, make sure the vegetables are completely thawed.

Get it done

You have two options: either make just a few changes to prepare for a new dinner or you can make the whole beef and vegetable stir-fry and save it for later.

You can make the latter by marinating the beef strips in the sauce a day ahead of time and then storing it. Toss the beef in the marinade, and then freeze it in a bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Preparing your vegetables ahead of time can help you save even more. You can chop your vegetables, ginger, and garlic up to a full day in advance and keep them separate in airtight containers.

Variations

You can substitute beef with chicken, shrimp, fish, and tofu.

Vegetables There are many other options than bell peppers or carrots. This stir-fried beef recipe can be made with vegetables such as broccoli florets and water chestnuts. You can also add asparagus, snow peas, or zucchini to the mix.

Serving Suggestion

This hot stir fry is great with white rice or your choice of noodles. You can also make this stir fry beef and rice stir fries or beef and noodles stir fry by adding noodles or steamed rice to the stir fry.

If you want to get more fiber, you can serve it with either cauliflower rice or quinoa.