Beef Stir-Fry with Ginger and Snow Peas
Tender strips of beef quickly stir-fried with fresh ginger, garlic, and crisp snow peas in a savory soy sauce glaze. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs soy sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 tbsp, peeled and minced fresh ginger
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 cups, trimmed snow peas
- 2 stalks, sliced green onions
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp cornstarch until the meat is evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering.
- Step 3: Add the beef strips in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes without stirring to develop a crust, then stir-fry for another 1 minute until browned but not fully cooked. Remove beef and set aside.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-high, add 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 1/2 tbsp minced fresh ginger and 3 minced garlic cloves, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 5: Add 2 cups snow peas and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using; stir-fry for 2 minutes until peas are bright green and tender-crisp.
- Step 6: Return beef to the pan along with 1/4 cup water, 1 tbsp honey, 2 sliced green onions, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and beef is cooked through.
- Step 7: Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Beef Stir-Fry with Ginger and Snow Peas take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Beef Stir-Fry with Ginger and Snow Peas?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Beef Stir-Fry with Ginger and Snow Peas?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Beef Stir-Fry with Ginger and Snow Peas for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Beef Stir-Fry with Ginger and Snow Peas?
Chinese beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
Equipment for this recipe
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