Lemongrass Beef Stir-Fry with Garlic and Chili
Tender strips of beef quickly stir-fried with fragrant lemongrass, garlic, and fresh chili for a bold and savory Vietnamese-inspired dish. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 30 minutes pairs stalks lemongrass stalks, finely minced, garlic cloves, minced, small fresh red chili, sliced thin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 sirloin beef, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 stalks lemongrass stalks, finely minced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small fresh red chili, sliced thin
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp green onions, chopped
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 lb thinly sliced sirloin beef, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp brown sugar; marinate for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering.
- Step 3: Add 2 minced lemongrass stalks, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 sliced small red chili to the pan; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 4: Add the marinated beef to the skillet in a single layer, cooking for 2-3 minutes without stirring to sear, then stir-fry for another 2 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 5: Season with 1/2 tsp black pepper and toss in 2 tbsp chopped green onions; stir for 30 seconds until combined and aromatic.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemongrass Beef Stir-Fry with Garlic and Chili take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (20 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 Lemongrass Beef Stir-Fry with Garlic and Chili?
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 garlic cloves, minced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemongrass Beef Stir-Fry with Garlic and Chili?
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 Lemongrass Beef Stir-Fry with Garlic and Chili 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 Lemongrass Beef Stir-Fry with Garlic and Chili?
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.
