Velveted Beef
Velveted Beef
Ingredients
For the Beef
- 1 pound flank steak, sliced against the grain into 1/4-inch thick pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
For the Stir-Fry (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 2 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, freshly grated
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (any color)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch, mixed with 1 tablespoon water (slurry)
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, combine the sliced flank steak with baking soda. Mix well to ensure all beef is coated. This is the 'velveting' step that tenderizes the beef. Let it rest for 15 minutes.
⏱️ 15 min
- 2
After 15 minutes, rinse the beef thoroughly under cold running water. Squeeze out excess water. This removes the baking soda and prevents a soapy taste.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Return the rinsed beef to the bowl. Add cornstarch, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons water, and sesame oil. Mix until the beef is well coated. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes for best results.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated beef in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
(Optional Stir-Fry) If making a stir-fry, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the same skillet. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
(Optional Stir-Fry) Add broccoli florets and sliced bell pepper to the skillet. Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
⏱️ 4 min
- 7
(Optional Stir-Fry) In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Pour the sauce over the vegetables. Bring to a simmer.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
(Optional Stir-Fry) Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1 minute, or until the sauce thickens. Return the cooked velveted beef to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce and vegetables. Serve immediately with rice.
⏱️ 3 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Velveted Beef
For the Beef
- 1 pound flank steak, sliced against the grain into 1/4-inch thick pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
For the Stir-Fry (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 2 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, freshly grated
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (any color)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch, mixed with 1 tablespoon water (slurry)
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, combine the sliced flank steak with baking soda. Mix well to ensure all beef is coated. This is the 'velveting' step that tenderizes the beef. Let it rest for 15 minutes.
⏱️ 15 min - 2
After 15 minutes, rinse the beef thoroughly under cold running water. Squeeze out excess water. This removes the baking soda and prevents a soapy taste.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Return the rinsed beef to the bowl. Add cornstarch, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons water, and sesame oil. Mix until the beef is well coated. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes for best results.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated beef in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
(Optional Stir-Fry) If making a stir-fry, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the same skillet. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
(Optional Stir-Fry) Add broccoli florets and sliced bell pepper to the skillet. Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
⏱️ 4 min - 7
(Optional Stir-Fry) In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Pour the sauce over the vegetables. Bring to a simmer.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
(Optional Stir-Fry) Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1 minute, or until the sauce thickens. Return the cooked velveted beef to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce and vegetables. Serve immediately with rice.
⏱️ 3 min