Quick Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Sesame

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

A savory and fast stir-fry featuring tender beef strips, garlic, and toasted sesame for a delicious weeknight dinner. This asian fusion-inspired beef (high protein) ready in about 25 minutes pairs minced garlic cloves, soy sauce, sesame oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Asian Fusion cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak with 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Marinate for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil and 2 tbsp sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional), stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  4. Step 4: Add the marinated beef to the skillet in a single layer. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the beef is browned and cooked through.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and toss in 2 sliced scallions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds.
  6. Step 6: Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Sesame 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 Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Sesame?

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 Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Sesame?

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 Sesame 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 Sesame 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.

Related recipes