Caramelized Lemongrass Beef Stir Fry
Tender slices of beef stir-fried with fragrant caramelized lemongrass and a savory-sweet glaze, served with steamed jasmine rice. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 27 minutes pairs finely minced lemongrass stalks, minced garlic cloves, thinly sliced shallots 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
- 2, finely minced lemongrass stalks
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2, thinly sliced shallots
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2, sliced on the diagonal green onions
- 2 cups, for serving steamed jasmine rice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 2 minced lemongrass stalks, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 2 thinly sliced shallots, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and the shallots soften.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak to the skillet in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 2 minutes to caramelize, then stir and cook for another 2 minutes until browned.
- Step 3: Sprinkle 2 tbsp brown sugar evenly over the beef, then add 3 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Stir and cook for 2 more minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 2 sliced green onions. Serve immediately over 2 cups steamed jasmine rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Caramelized Lemongrass Beef Stir Fry take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Caramelized Lemongrass Beef Stir Fry?
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 minced garlic cloves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Caramelized Lemongrass Beef Stir Fry?
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 Caramelized Lemongrass Beef Stir Fry 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 Caramelized Lemongrass Beef Stir Fry?
Vietnamese 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.
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