Beef Stir Fry
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This quick and easy Beef Stir Fry recipe is packed with tender steak, colorful vegetables, and a flavorful homemade sauce. It’s perfect for a weeknight meal, tastes better than takeout, and only takes 20 minutes to make!
If you’ve been craving takeout but want a homemade option made with real ingredients, this beef stir fry hits the spot. The sauce is simple but layered with savory and sweet flavors thanks to soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.
It’s also endlessly flexible! You can swap in your favorite veggies, use different cuts of beef, or use what you already have in your fridge. Best of all, this easy skillet meal is cooked in one pan, meaning cleanup is a breeze.
Happy Kitchen Secrets
Here are my most important mom tested cooking tips for making this stir fry! We’ve made this recipe again and again, so you know it will turn out perfect on the first try.
- Cut against the grain. For the best texture, slice your steak thinly across the grain. This keeps each bite melt-in-your-mouth tender.
- Don’t crowd the pan. Searing meat works best in batches. Too much at once will steam instead of sear, which prevents the wonderful golden crust from developing.
- Add the sauce last. Pour the sauce in at the very end so it coats everything evenly and thickens just the right amount.
Ingredients
Below are the key ingredients that make this beef stir fry so delicious. For full quantities and the complete list, check the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos: Adds savory flavor and balances the sweetness from the honey.
- Cornstarch: Helps the sauce thicken and gives the dish that classic glossy coating.
- Ginger: Fresh ginger brightens the dish and adds just a little bit of kick.
- Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the salty soy and aromatic garlic.
- Sesame Oil: Adds a toasty, nutty aroma that ties the flavors together.
- Avocado Oil: A neutral, high-heat oil perfect for stir-frying.
- Sirloin Steak: Lean, tender, and perfect for fast cooking.
- Broccoli and Bell Peppers: Quick-cooking vegetables that stay crisp-tender for the best texture, color, and flavor.
How to Make Beef Stir Fry
- Start by making the sauce. Whisk together the soy sauce, cornstarch, garlic, ginger, honey, sesame oil, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set it aside while you prep the beef and veggies.
- Heat sesame and avocado oil together in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the onions and garlic, sauteing just until they are fragrant. Add the broccoli and bell peppers, cooking for a few minutes until softened but still vibrant. Transfer to a bowl.
- If the pan looks dry, add a bit more oil. Sear the beef in batches, letting it cook undisturbed for a minute or two on each side to develop a nice crust. Once all the beef is browned, return the vegetables to the pan.
- Pour in the sauce and toss everything together. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the beef and vegetables. Serve hot and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if you like.
Serving Suggestions
This beef stir fry makes a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs perfectly with:
- Grains: Serve over white rice or brown rice for a classic stir-fry bowl.
- Noodles: Try pairing with rice noodles for a heartier, restaurant-style dish.
- Vegetables: Spoon the stir fry over homemade broccoli rice or cauliflower rice, or toss it with spiralized zucchini for a lighter option.
Make it kid friendly: If your kids aren’t big veggie fans, try drizzling a little extra honey over their bowl for extra sweetness. Just a hint of the flavor kids love will have them gobbling up their dinner in no time.
FAQ
Yes! Flank steak, skirt steak, or ribeye all work well. Just be sure to slice thinly against the grain for tenderness.
You can prep the sauce and slice the beef and vegetables a day in advance. Cook everything just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Let the stir fry cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
I'd love to hear about your experience making this recipe! Please leave a comment and rating below!
Beef Stir Fry
Ingredients
For the Sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 medium garlic cloves minced or grated
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger or ginger paste
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar (omit if using coconut aminos)
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Stir Fry
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 large onion cut into 1 inch strips
- 2 medium garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 10 ounces broccoli florets
- 1 red bell pepper cut into thin slices
- 1 yellow bell pepper cut into thin slices
- 1 ½ pounds sirloin steak cut into thin strips
Optional Garnish
- 3 green onions thinly sliced
- ½ tablespoon sesame seeds
Video
Instructions
- Make the stir fry sauce: In a small bowl, combine all sauce ingredients with a fork or whisk, breaking up any clumps from the cornstarch. Set aside or place in the fridge.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. When hot, add oil in the sesame and avocado oils.
- When oil begins to shimmer, add in onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Sauté, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes, until everything is fragrant.
- Add in broccoli, red bell pepper and yellow bell pepper. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened, but broccoli still has a bright green color. Transfer veggies from pan into a bowl and set aside while cooking the beef.
- Add another 1-2 tablespoons of oil if your pan is looking dry. Add beef slices to pan and sear for 1 to 2 minutes per side, getting a good sear on each side.
- Once cooked on both sides, return veggies to the pan and add in sauce. Toss and let sauce thicken for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Serve as-is or over rice or noodles, garnished with thinly sliced green onion and sesame seeds.
Notes
- When slicing the steak, cut across the grain (the muscle fibers) to create tender bites of beef.
- Feel free to substitute or use additional quick-cooking stir fry vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, etc.
- For a slightly spicier steak stir fry, make this stir fry sauce instead.
Made this for dinner and super delish! Who needs take out when I can make this quick dish at home. thanks!