Description
This Beef and Onion Stir Fry is a flavorful and quick Asian-inspired dish featuring thinly sliced flank steak marinated and stir-fried with aromatic garlic, ginger, onions, and scallions, all tossed in a savory, sweet, and slightly tangy sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner served over steamed jasmine rice or noodles.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Marinade
- 1 lb (450g) flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
Stir Fry Sauce
- ¼ cup light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- â…“ cup water
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- ½ tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp sesame oil
- ½ tbsp cornstarch
- White pepper powder, to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
- 1 medium white onion, sliced
- 4 scallions, cut into 3-inch pieces (separate white and green parts)
Cooking Oil
- 3 tbsp neutral oil (canola, vegetable, or sunflower)
Instructions
- Marinate the Beef: In a bowl, combine the thinly sliced beef with cornstarch, light soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine. Mix well to ensure the beef is fully coated.
- Let Beef Marinate: Allow the beef to marinate for 15 to 30 minutes, which tenderizes the meat and absorbs the marinade flavor.
- Prepare the Stir Fry Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, water, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, cornstarch, and a pinch of white pepper powder until smooth and combined.
- Set Sauce Aside: Keep the stir fry sauce ready to be added later in the cooking process.
- Cook Aromatics: Heat 3 tablespoons of neutral oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add minced garlic, minced ginger, sliced white onion, and the white parts of scallions. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until the onions soften slightly, then remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Beef: In the same skillet, add the marinated beef in a single layer. Stir-fry over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes or until the beef is browned and nearly cooked through.
- Add the Sauce: Pour the prepared stir fry sauce over the browned beef in the skillet. Stir constantly and cook for about 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and evenly coat the beef.
- Combine Vegetables & Finish: Return the cooked onions and white scallions to the skillet along with the green parts of the scallions. Stir-fry everything together for an additional 1 minute to combine flavors and warm the vegetables through.
- Serve: Immediately serve the beef and onion stir fry hot, ideally over steamed jasmine rice or your favorite noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- Slice the beef thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness.
- Marinating the beef for at least 15 minutes improves flavor and texture.
- You can substitute Shaoxing wine with dry sherry if unavailable.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar and soy sauce according to your preferred taste balance of sweet and salty.
- Use a wok or a large skillet for even cooking and easy stir-frying.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the stir fry at its best texture and flavor.
