Discover the ultimate solution for weeknight dinners with our Quick and Easy Beef & Vegetable Stir Fry recipe. Packed with tender thin strips of flank steak, vibrant bell peppers, and a mouthwatering homemade stir fry sauce, this Asian-inspired dish is a delightful balance of flavors and textures that the whole family will love.
This is one of my go to recipes when I'm short on time! It comes together quickly and leaves my entire family wanting seconds! And for a family of six, that is not an easy task. Definitely a win in my book! I like to serve it over some white rice or brown rice. If you like this recipe, check out my Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe. Another quick and delicious weeknight recipe. Now let's dive into the details of this delicious and easy-to-make recipe that's sure to become a family favorite! If the veggies / flavors got you excited but not in the mood for Beef, you can try my Broccoli and Tofu Quick 15 Minute Recipe!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Deliciously Flavorful: The flank steak is marinated in a blend of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and aromatic spices. It is bursting in savory goodness, creating a tantalizing flavor experience in every bite.
Nutrient-Rich Ingredients: Loaded with fresh broccolini and red pepper; it satisfies your taste buds and provides essential nutrients for a balanced meal that's as wholesome as it is delicious.
Customizable and Versatile: Whether you prefer a bit of heat or a milder flavor, you can easily tailor this recipe to suit your taste preferences by adjusting the seasoning or adding your favorite vegetables for a personalized twist.
Quick and Effortless: With simple prep and cooking techniques, our Beef Stir Fry is perfect for busy evenings when you need a satisfying meal on the table fast. Plus, it's a great way to use up any veggies you have in the fridge.
Restaurant-Quality Results: Impress your loved ones with this restaurant-worthy dish that delivers exceptional flavor and texture reminiscent of your favorite Asian takeout, all made in the comfort of your own kitchen.
The Secret to Tender Beef
Velveting
One of the secrets to achieving irresistibly tender beef in stir fry is a process called velveting. This technique involves marinating the beef slices in a mixture of baking soda and a little bit of cornstarch, resulting in a velvety texture that's juicy and tender.
I use the same technique in my better than take-out Chicken and Broccoli Recipe as well!
The Right Cut Of Beef
While I love to use flank steak due to its tenderness and flavor, you can substitute it with other cuts such as sirloin steak or skirt steak. Just be sure to slice the meat thinly against the grain for optimal tenderness.
Beef & Vegetable Stir Fry Video
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Our Ingredients
Full recipe, instructions and photos in the recipe card at the end of the post
Flank Steak: Known for its rich flavor and tender texture, flank steak is the perfect choice for stir fry. Marinated in a blend of soy sauce, Shaoxing wine (optional), oyster sauce, and spices, it becomes incredibly flavorful and succulent.
Fresh Ingredients: We use broccolini and red bell pepper to add color, crunch, and nutrients to the dish. These vegetables complement the beef beautifully and provide a satisfying balance of flavors and textures.
Aromatic Spices: Garlic and fresh ginger lend their aromatic essence to the sauce, infusing the beef with depth of flavor and complexity.
Sesame Oil: A drizzle of sesame oil adds a nutty aroma and enhances the overall Asian-inspired flavor profile of the dish.
Sesame Seeds: Sprinkled on top as a garnish, sesame seeds add a delightful crunch and visual appeal to the finished stir fry.
Marinade: A combination of baking soda, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, Shaoxing Chinese cooking wine (optional), oyster sauce, cornstarch, black pepper, and sesame oil tenderizes the beef and imparts it with irresistible flavor.
Sauce: Our savory sauce is made from oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and low-sodium beef broth, creating a luscious coating that ties all the ingredients together.
Cornstarch Slurry: A mixture of cornstarch and water is used to thicken the sauce, giving it a glossy finish and perfect consistency.
A NOTE ABOUT OUR INGREDIENTS:
Quality ingredients are key to a delicious stir fry. Choose fresh, high-quality flank steak and vibrant vegetables for the best results.
Feel free to customize the vegetables based on your preferences. You can add carrots, snap peas, mushrooms, or any other vegetables you love.
Adjust the level of spiciness and saltiness in the sauce to suit your taste. Add more soy sauce for saltiness or chili flakes for heat.
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce and hoisin sauce, and ensure that all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
Shaoxing wine adds depth of flavor to the marinade, but you can omit it if preferred or substitute with dry sherry or rice vinegar for a similar effect.
How To Make Beef & Vegetable Stir Fry
Full recipe, instructions and photos in the recipe card at the end of the post
Marinade
- Start by slicing your flank steak into 1'" slices. Make sure to slice against the grain.
- In a small bowl, add all your marinade ingredients to the flank steak and let marinate for 10-15 minutes.
Prepare Veggies
- Wash your red pepper and broccolini.
- Slice your red peppers into 1" strips.
- Chop your broccolini leaving some of the stems for your stir fry.
Stir Fry
- Combine all your sauce ingredients and set aside.
- Add your high smoke point oil to the pan on medium-high heat. You can use a wok or a regular non-stick large skillet. Let the oil heat up for 3-4 minutes. Add in your beef in a single layer in two batches to not overcrowd the pan. Flip after 2-3 minutes or once browned and has a good sear. Flip and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. It's ok if there is a little pink because it will finish cooking in the sauce.
- Remove the beef and set aside. Add in your garlic and ginger and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Add in your broccoli florets and red bell peppers and sauté for 4 minutes. Add in your beef, stir-fry sauce, and cornstarch slurry.
- Turn your heat down to medium and let it simmer for 3-5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
- Top with sesame seeds and serve!
FAQ
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! Omit the beef and increase the amount of vegetables or add tofu for a vegetarian version. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth in the sauce for a vegetarian-friendly option.
Can I prepare the ingredients ahead of time?
Yes, you can marinate the beef and chop the vegetables in advance to save time. Store the marinated beef in the refrigerator and the chopped vegetables in an airtight container until ready to cook.
What can I sub for oyster sauce?
Although I highly recommend oyster sauce for its wonderful umami flavor, you can sub for all hoisin sauce. If you don't have either you can sub for two tablespoons of barbeque sauce and a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce.
Can I freeze leftovers?
While the stir fry is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a skillet or microwave until heated through for a quick and convenient meal option.
⭐️ Recipe
Easy Beef & Vegetable Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 1.5 - 2 lb of flank steak
- 3 cloves of garlic crushed
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- 1.25 lb broccolini or broccoli
- 1 red pepper
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoon avocado oil
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Marinade
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine optional you can omit it if preferred or substitute with dry sherry or rice vinegar for a similar effect.
- 2 teaspoon oyster sauce see notes
- 3 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
Sauce
- 2 tablespoon oyster sauce see notes
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- ½ cup low sodium beef broth
Cornstarch Slurry
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoon water
Instructions
Marinade
- Start by slicing your flank steak into 1'" slices. Make sure to slice against the grain.
- Add all your marinade ingredients to the flank steak and let marinade for 10-15 minutes.
Prepare Veggies
- Wash your red pepper and broccolini and slice your red peppers into 1" strips.
- Chop your broccolini leaving some of the stems for your stir fry.
Stir Fry
- Combine all your sauce ingredients and set aside.
- Add your oil to the pan on medium high heat. Let the oil heat up for 3-4 minutes. Add in your beef in two batches to not overcrowd the pan. Flip after 2-3 minutes or once browned. Flip and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. It's ok if there is a little pink because it will finish cooking in the sauce.
- Remove the beef and set aside. Add in your garlic and ginger and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Add in your veggies and sauté for 4 minutes. Add in your beef, stir fry sauce, and cornstarch slurry.
- Turn your heat down to medium and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
- Top with sesame seeds and serve!
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