Enjoy the flavors of a classic beef stir fry, featuring tender slices of beef and crisp vegetables in a savory sauce. This recipe provides a step-by-step guide to creating a delicious stir fry that’s perfect for a quick dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients:
For the Stir Fry:
- 300 grams sirloin steak (alternatively rib eye, flank, or blade steak)
- ½ white or yellow onion
- 4-5 slices ginger
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or thinly sliced
- 1 stalk green onion, cut into 2-inch pieces
For the Marinade:
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (to be added after marinating)
- 1 tablespoon oil (to be added after marinating)
For the Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1½ tablespoons oyster sauce
- ½ tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine (or dry sherry/rice wine)
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce (for color, optional)
- ½ cup water
Instructions:
Preparation:
- Prepare the Vegetables: Peel and slice the onion into thin segments. Thinly slice or mince the garlic. Slice the ginger into thin pieces. Cut the green onion into 2-inch segments, slicing the thicker white parts lengthwise.
Marinate the Beef:
- Slice the Beef: Thinly slice the beef against the grain. Tip: Freeze the beef for 15 minutes before slicing to make it easier to handle.
- Combine Marinade Ingredients: In a bowl, mix the soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, water, and sesame oil with the sliced beef. Allow it to marinate for 15 minutes.
- Add Cornstarch and Oil: After marinating, stir in the cornstarch to coat the beef, locking in moisture. Then, mix in the oil.
Prepare the Sauce:
- Mix Sauce Ingredients: In a small bowl, blend the soy sauce and cornstarch until smooth. Add sugar, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, Shaoxing wine, dark soy sauce (if using), and water. Stir well and set aside.
Stir Fry:
- Heat the Pan: Use a large frying pan or wok and heat it over high heat. Once hot, add oil.
- Cook the Beef: Spread the marinated beef in the hot pan and sear until it’s about 90% cooked, approximately 2-4 minutes. Remove the beef from the pan.
- Cook the Aromatics: Add a bit more oil to the pan. Sauté the ginger slices until slightly browned. Add the garlic and onions, cooking until they soften and brown.
- Combine Ingredients: Push the aromatics to the side of the pan. Stir the sauce to ensure the cornstarch is mixed, then pour it into the center of the pan. Stir until the sauce thickens and darkens.
- Finish the Dish: Mix the aromatics into the sauce, return the beef to the pan, and add the green onions. Stir fry everything together for about a minute until well combined and heated through.
Serve:
- Serve the stir fry hot, accompanied by steamed rice for a complete meal.
This beef stir fry is not only flavorful but also customizable with your favorite vegetables or adjustments to the sauce ingredients to suit your taste.
