Quick Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Scallions

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender strips of beef stir-fried swiftly with garlic and fresh scallions in a savory sauce, delivering a fast and flavorful Asian-inspired dish. This chinese-inspired instant pot (high protein, gluten free option) ready in about 18 minutes pairs flank steak, vegetable oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 8 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 310 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, and 2 tablespoons water until smooth. Set this sauce aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and stir-fry for 20 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Add 12 ounces of thinly sliced flank steak and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the beef is mostly cooked and starting to brown at the edges.
  5. Step 5: Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and continue stir-frying for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef evenly.
  6. Step 6: Toss in 4 stalks of scallions cut into 2-inch pieces and stir-fry for 30 seconds until the scallions are bright green but still crisp.
  7. Step 7: Season with 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, remove from heat, and serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Scallions take to make?

Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 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 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 flank steak from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Quick 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 Quick Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Scallions 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.

Is Quick Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Scallions high protein?

Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein, gluten free option based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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