Quick Stir-Fried Garlic Beef with Vegetables
A fast and flavorful stir-fry combining tender strips of beef with crisp vegetables and a savory garlic sauce. This asian-inspired beef ready in about 30 minutes pairs soy sauce, cornstarch, vegetable oil 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, thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 5, minced garlic cloves
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 large, julienned carrot
- 1 medium, sliced into strips red bell pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh, minced ginger
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2, sliced green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp cornstarch; toss to coat and let marinate for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked; remove beef and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same pan, add 5 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 2 cups broccoli florets, 1 large julienned carrot, and 1 medium sliced red bell pepper; stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Step 5: Return the beef to the pan along with 1 tsp brown sugar and 1/4 cup water; stir-fry for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and beef is cooked through.
- Step 6: Garnish with 2 sliced green onions and serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick Stir-Fried Garlic Beef with Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Garlic Beef with Vegetables?
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 Garlic Beef with Vegetables?
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 Garlic Beef with Vegetables 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 Quick Stir-Fried Garlic Beef with Vegetables?
Asian 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.