Spicy Garlic Beef Stir-Fry
Spicy Garlic Beef Stir-Fry
Ingredients
- 1 pound flank steak, or sirloin, sliced very thinly against the grain
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch, for dusting the beef
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
For the Sauce
- 1/3 cup soy sauce, low sodium preferred
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water, or beef broth
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, to 2 teaspoons, adjust for spice level
For Garnish
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced (scallions)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- 1
Pat the thinly sliced beef dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the beef slices with the 2 tablespoons of cornstarch until each piece is lightly coated. Shake off any excess cornstarch.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, water or beef broth, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, and 1 to 2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes. Set the sauce aside.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
Heat the 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the beef in a single layer. If necessary, sear the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can steam the beef instead of searing it. Sear for 1 to 2 minutes per side until the beef is browned and crispy edges begin to form.
⏱️ 4 min
- 4
Once all the beef is seared, pour the prepared sauce mixture directly into the pan with the beef. Bring the mixture to a boil. The sauce will bubble and thicken rapidly due to the cornstarch on the beef. If a thicker sauce is desired, you can add a splash of cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water).
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Toss the beef in the sauce for another minute, ensuring every piece is thoroughly coated in the glossy glaze.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
Remove the dish from heat. Garnish generously with sliced green onions (scallions) and toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot over steamed white rice or noodles for a complete meal.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Spicy Garlic Beef Stir-Fry
- 1 pound flank steak, or sirloin, sliced very thinly against the grain
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch, for dusting the beef
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
For the Sauce
- 1/3 cup soy sauce, low sodium preferred
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water, or beef broth
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, to 2 teaspoons, adjust for spice level
For Garnish
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced (scallions)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- 1
Pat the thinly sliced beef dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the beef slices with the 2 tablespoons of cornstarch until each piece is lightly coated. Shake off any excess cornstarch.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, water or beef broth, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, and 1 to 2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes. Set the sauce aside.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
Heat the 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the beef in a single layer. If necessary, sear the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can steam the beef instead of searing it. Sear for 1 to 2 minutes per side until the beef is browned and crispy edges begin to form.
⏱️ 4 min - 4
Once all the beef is seared, pour the prepared sauce mixture directly into the pan with the beef. Bring the mixture to a boil. The sauce will bubble and thicken rapidly due to the cornstarch on the beef. If a thicker sauce is desired, you can add a splash of cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water).
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Toss the beef in the sauce for another minute, ensuring every piece is thoroughly coated in the glossy glaze.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
Remove the dish from heat. Garnish generously with sliced green onions (scallions) and toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot over steamed white rice or noodles for a complete meal.
⏱️ 2 min