Description
This Chinese Beef and Onion Stir-Fry is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender strips of beef cooked with sweet onions and a savory sauce blend. Perfect for a fast weeknight dinner, it combines the rich flavors of soy, oyster, and hoisin sauces with the aromatic punch of garlic and ginger, served best over steamed rice or noodles.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Marinade
- 1 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (divided)
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or dry sherry (optional)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 large onion, sliced into wedges
- 2–3 green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger
Oils and Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for stir-frying)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Marinate the Beef: In a bowl, toss the thinly sliced beef with cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. Let it marinate for 10 to 15 minutes to tenderize and develop flavor while you prepare other ingredients.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce if using, sesame oil, and Shaoxing wine or dry sherry. Set this savory sauce mixture aside for later use.
- Cook the Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked through. Remove the beef from the wok and transfer it to a plate.
- Stir-Fry Onions and Aromatics: Add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil to the wok. Stir-fry the onion wedges for 2 to 3 minutes until they soften and start to caramelize. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, continuing to stir-fry for another 30 seconds to release their flavors.
- Add Beef and Sauce: Return the partially cooked beef to the wok. Pour in the prepared sauce mixture. Toss everything together and stir-fry for another 1 to 2 minutes until the beef is fully cooked and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Finish with Green Onions: Add the green onion pieces, toss quickly just to combine, then remove the wok from heat.
- Serve: Serve the beef and onion stir-fry hot alongside steamed white rice or your favorite noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- For the most tender beef, ensure to slice it thinly against the grain and marinate with cornstarch.
- Add colorful vegetables like bell peppers or snow peas to enhance nutrition and texture.
- Adjust soy sauce amounts to taste, especially if using particularly salty oyster sauce.
