In the world of delicious dishes, Beef and Onion Stir Fry reigns supreme. This great recipe combines juicy tender strips of beef with the natural sweetness of onions in a flavorful sauce delivering a mouthwatering, quick-to-make meal that's a favorite for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.
Wok Magic!
Beef Onion Stir Fry is one of my favorite stir-fry dishes! It has its roots in Chinese cuisine but has since gained popularity worldwide for its delicious flavors and simplicity.
I love the robust flavor of the ultra-tender beef and the onions' sweetness that are quickly cooked together in a hot wok or skillet, resulting in tender, savory, and slightly sweet flavors.
The best way to enjoy this dish is by pairing it with white rice, Chinese scallions, and stir fry veggies.
Whether you savor it at a local Chinese restaurant or cook it up in your own kitchen, Beef and Onion Stir Fry is a delightful dish that brings a taste of tradition and innovation to every bite.
If you're a fan of Chinese food, you might want to try my Easy Buffet Style Creamy Chinese Coconut Shrimp Recipe.
Jump to:
Flavor Explosion
Why You Will Love this Beef Stir Fry Recipe
Quick and Easy: It's a fast-cooking dish, perfect for busy weeknight dinners. You can have a flavorful meal on your dinner table in less than 30 minutes.
Deliciously Flavorful: The combination of tender beef and sweet, caramelized onions creates a delightful balance of savory and slightly sweet flavors that's incredibly satisfying.
Customizable: You can personalize your stir-fry with a variety of your favorite vegetables, spices, and sauces to suit your taste preferences. It's a versatile dish that can adapt to what you have on hand.
Perfect for Meal Prep: It's an excellent choice for meal prepping. Make a large batch and enjoy leftovers for lunch or dinner throughout the week.
Balanced Meal: When served with Jasmine rice or noodles, it becomes a complete and satisfying meal, offering a balance of protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates.
Bite into Happiness: Beef and Onion Stir-Fry Joy
Beef and Onion Stir Fry Ingredients
- ribeye steak or flank steak, sirloin
- oyster sauce
- low-sodium soy sauce
- baking soda
- corn starch
- dark soy sauce
- oil
For the Stir-Fry:
- vegetable oil
- yellow onion, thinly sliced
- garlic, finely chopped
- green onions
Sauce Ingredients:
- oyster sauce
- dark soy sauce
- sugar
- low-sodium soy sauce
- sesame seed oil
- sugar
For Garnish:
- green onions
- sesame seeds
See the recipe card for quantities.
Onion-Infused Goodness
Detailed Instructions
Marinate the Beef:
- Marinate thinly sliced beef with cornstarch, baking soda, sugar, oyster sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and oil. Toss to coat and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
Prepare the Delicious Sauce:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil. Set aside.
Heat the Wok or Skillet:
- Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add one tablespoon of vegetable oil and swirl it around to coat the pan evenly.
Cook the Vegetables:
- Add sliced onions, garlic, and green onions, and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the onions start to soften and turn slightly translucent.
- Remove the vegetables from the pan and set them aside.
Stir-Fry the Beef:
- Add the thin slices of marinated beef to the hot wok or skillet, spreading it out in an even layer. Let it sear without stirring for about 1-2 minutes until it's browned on one side.
- Stir-fry the beef for another 1-2 minutes until it's mostly cooked through.
Combine and Finish:
- Return the cooked vegetables to the pan with the beef.
- Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the cooked beef and vegetables.
- Stir-fry everything together for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens, the beef is cooked through, and the vegetables are tender.
- Transfer the beef and onion stir-fry to a serving platter with hot cooked rice.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
Best Beef Stir-Fry
Substitutions
- Chicken: You can use boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh meat as a substitute for beef. Chicken stir-fry is a popular alternative and can be equally delicious.
- Tofu: For a vegetarian or vegan option, consider using firm or extra-firm tofu. Be sure to press and marinate the tofu before stir-frying to enhance its flavor.
- Shrimp: Seafood lovers might enjoy shrimp in place of beef. They cook quickly and pair well with stir-fried vegetables.
Variations
- Broccoli: Add broccoli florets for a boost of green and crunchy texture.
- Bell Peppers: Sliced red bell peppers can add color and sweetness to your stir-fry.
- Mushrooms: Sliced mushrooms, such as shiitake or cremini, can provide a savory umami flavor.
- Sugar Snap Peas: These add a crisp and sweet element to the dish.
- Noodle or Rice Base: You can serve your stir-fry over different bases, such as white rice, brown rice, quinoa, or noodles. Choose the one that suits your dietary preferences or what you have available.
Taste the Sizzle: Beef and Onion Euphoria
Equipment
You will need a wok or a large nonstick skillet to make the beef and onion stir-fry.
Storage
- Refrigeration: Allow the stir-fry to cool down to room temperature. Transfer the stir-fry to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator as soon as possible, ideally within two hours of cooking. Beef and onion stir-fry can typically be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
- Reheating: When reheating, use a microwave, stovetop, or oven until the stir-fry reaches a safe internal temperature (165°F or 74°C) to kill any potential bacteria. Reheat only the portion you plan to consume to avoid repeated reheating.
- Freezing: Place the cooled stir-fry in an airtight freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags. Squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2–3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating.
Top Tips
Opt for lean cuts of beef like ribeye, sirloin, flank steak, or tenderloin, as they are more tender and cook quickly. Make sure to cut the steak, against the grain to shorten the muscle fibers, which will help tenderize the meat.
Marinating the beef for at least 15–30 minutes in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, and a touch of sugar can add depth of flavor and tenderness.
Before you start cooking, have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go. Stir frying is a fast cooking method, and you won't have time to chop or measure during the process.
Heat your wok or skillet over high heat until it's smoking hot before adding oil and ingredients. High heat is crucial for achieving the characteristic stir-fry sear and flavor.
Keep the ingredients moving in the pan by constantly stirring or tossing. This ensures even cooking and prevents sticking or burning.
A drizzle of toasted sesame oil at the end adds a burst of aromatic flavor. It's best added right before serving.
Stir-fry dishes are best enjoyed right away while they're hot and at their peak of flavor and texture.
Elevate Your Dinner Game
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
While a wok is traditional, you can make a stir-fry in a regular skillet or frying pan with sloped sides. The key is to ensure it gets very hot before cooking.
Use oils with high smoke points, such as vegetable oil, peanut oil, or grapeseed oil, for stir-frying. These oils can handle high heat without burning or producing smoke.
To prevent a watery stir-fry, make sure to pat dry your meat before cooking it and avoid overcrowding the pan. High heat and constant stirring will also help evaporate excess moisture.
To make beef tender in a stir-fry, marinate it for 15–30 minutes in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, and a touch of sugar. Slicing the beef thinly against the grain also helps with tenderness.
Looking for other recipes? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove .
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
If you’ve tried this recipe or any other recipe on Sourandsweets, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience with my recipes. Please share it with me on Instagram.
Beef and Onion Stir Fry
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ribeye steak or flank steak, sirloin
- 1 tablespoon Oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon Low-sodium soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon Baking soda
- 1 teaspoon Cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon Dark soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Oil
For the Stir-Fry:
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 1 large Onion thinly sliced
- 3 cloves Garlic finely chopped
- 2 Green onions
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons Oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dark soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Sesame seed oil
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
FOR Garnish
- Green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
Marinate the Beef:
- Marinate thinly sliced beef with cornstarch, baking soda, sugar, oyster sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and oil. Toss to coat and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
Prepare the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil. Set aside.
Heat the Wok or Skillet:
- Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add one tablespoon of vegetable oil and swirl it around to coat the pan evenly.
Cook the Vegetables:
- Add sliced onions, garlic, and green onions, and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the onions start to soften and turn slightly translucent.
- Remove the vegetabales from the pan and set it aside.
Stir-Fry the Beef:
- Add the marinated beef to the hot wok or skillet, spreading it out in an even layer. Let it sear without stirring for about 1-2 minutes, until it's browned on one side.
- Stir-fry the beef for another 1-2 minutes until it's mostly cooked through.
Combine and Finish:
- Return the cooked vegetables to the pan with the beef.
- Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetables.
- Stir-fry everything together for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens, the beef is cooked through, and the vegetables are tender.
- Transfer the beef and onion stir-fry to a serving platter.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
Leave a Reply