Fun-Forward Beef & Vegetable Stir-Fry
A vibrant, one-pan stir-fry with tender beef and colorful veggies, finished with a sweet-savory sauce that’s ready in 20 minutes. This asian-inspired one pot (high-protein) ready in about 27 minutes pairs flank steak, broccoli florets, red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 12 oz flank steak
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 cup carrots
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Slice flank steak against the grain into 1/4-inch strips; toss with cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add beef and sear for 2-3 minutes until browned on all sides, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add garlic and ginger to the same skillet, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant — do not burn.
- Step 4: Add broccoli, bell pepper, and carrots; stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until crisp-tender and vibrant in color.
- Step 5: Return beef to the skillet, then mix in soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Cook for 1 minute until sauce thickens and coats the ingredients evenly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Fun-Forward Beef & Vegetable 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 Fun-Forward Beef & Vegetable 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 flank steak from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Fun-Forward Beef & Vegetable 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 Fun-Forward Beef & Vegetable 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.
Is Fun-Forward Beef & Vegetable Stir-Fry high-protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high-protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.