Quick Stir-Fried Beef with Ginger, Snow Peas, and Toasted Sesame
Tender strips of beef quickly stir-fried with fresh ginger and crisp snow peas, finished with toasted sesame seeds and a savory soy-based sauce for a fast, flavorful meal. This asian fusion-inspired beef (gluten free option) ready in about 25 minutes pairs soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar 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 flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cups snow peas, trimmed
- 2 stalks scallions, sliced
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 tbsp water until smooth. Add 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak and toss to coat. Marinate for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 2 tbsp grated fresh ginger and 3 minced garlic cloves, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 3: Add the marinated beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the edges begin to brown but the meat is still tender.
- Step 4: Toss in 2 cups trimmed snow peas and cook for another 2 minutes until the peas are bright green and crisp-tender.
- Step 5: Sprinkle 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes and stir in 2 sliced scallions. Cook for 30 seconds more, then remove from heat.
- Step 6: Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick Stir-Fried Beef with Ginger, Snow Peas, and Toasted 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 Ginger, Snow Peas, and Toasted 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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Stir-Fried Beef with Ginger, Snow Peas, and Toasted 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 Ginger, Snow Peas, and Toasted Sesame 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 Quick Stir-Fried Beef with Ginger, Snow Peas, and Toasted Sesame gluten free option?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free option based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.