Chili-Spiced Beef Stir-Fry with Sesame and Garlic
Quick beef stir-fry infused with bold chili spice and toasted sesame, delivering a hot and flavorful meal in under 20 minutes. This asian-inspired beef ready in about 20 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 350 calories and feeds 3, 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
- 12 oz, thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 3 stalks, sliced green onions
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak with 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp cornstarch in a bowl until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp sesame oil and 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering.
- Step 3: Add the steak in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until just browned and starting to crisp at edges.
- Step 4: Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp red chili flakes, and 1 tsp grated fresh ginger; stir-fry for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 5: Toss in 3 sliced green onions and 1 tbsp sesame seeds, cooking for 1 more minute. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chili-Spiced Beef Stir-Fry with Sesame and Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 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 Chili-Spiced Beef Stir-Fry with Sesame and Garlic?
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 Chili-Spiced Beef Stir-Fry with Sesame and Garlic?
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 Chili-Spiced Beef Stir-Fry with Sesame and Garlic for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Chili-Spiced Beef Stir-Fry with Sesame and Garlic?
Asian 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.
