Crisp Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Scallions
Quick stir-fry of tender beef strips with fragrant garlic and fresh scallions, finished with a savory soy-ginger sauce. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs vegetable oil, minced fresh garlic, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 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 vegetable oil
- 5 cloves, minced fresh garlic
- 6 stalks, sliced into 2-inch pieces scallions
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp, minced fresh ginger
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp water
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tbsp cornstarch and 1/2 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Combine 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, and 3 tbsp water in a small bowl and set aside.
- Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the beef strips in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned and just cooked through. Remove beef from the pan.
- Step 4: Lower heat to medium-high, add 5 minced garlic cloves to the pan and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 5: Add 6 stalks sliced scallions and stir-fry for 1 minute until they start to soften.
- Step 6: Return the cooked beef to the pan, pour in the prepared sauce, and toss everything together. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and scallions.
- Step 7: Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles for a flavorful, quick meal.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Crisp Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Scallions 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 Crisp Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Scallions?
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 vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Crisp Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Scallions?
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 Crisp Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Scallions 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 Crisp Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Scallions?
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.
