Quick Beef Stir-Fry with Garlic and Ginger
A speedy stir-fry featuring tender strips of beef tossed with fresh garlic, ginger, and a savory soy sauce glaze. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs minced garlic cloves, minced fresh ginger, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 340 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, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, minced fresh ginger
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2, sliced scallions
- 1 medium, sliced into thin strips red bell pepper
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp cornstarch until smooth. Add 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak and toss to coat; let marinate 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add the marinated beef in a single layer, stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until beef is just browned but still tender.
- Step 4: Add 1 medium sliced red bell pepper and 2 sliced scallions, stir-fry for another 2 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Step 5: Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil and season with 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss everything together and remove from heat immediately to preserve freshness and texture.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick Beef Stir-Fry with Garlic and Ginger 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 Quick Beef Stir-Fry with Garlic and Ginger?
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 Quick Beef Stir-Fry with Garlic and Ginger?
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 Quick Beef Stir-Fry with Garlic and Ginger 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 Quick Beef Stir-Fry with Garlic and Ginger?
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.
