Quick Stir-Fried Ginger Beef with Green Beans

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

Tender strips of beef and crisp green beans stir-fried with fresh ginger and garlic, ready in under 20 minutes for a satisfying dinner. This asian-inspired beef ready in about 20 minutes pairs minced fresh ginger, minced garlic cloves, trimmed and halved green beans 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: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Asian cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but still tender. Remove beef and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pan, add 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger and 3 minced garlic cloves, stir-frying for 30 seconds until aromatic. Add 10 oz trimmed green beans and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender.
  3. Step 3: Return the beef to the pan and add 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Toss everything together and cook for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat, sprinkle 2 thinly sliced scallions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds on top, and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Stir-Fried Ginger Beef with Green Beans take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 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 Ginger Beef with Green Beans?

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 fresh ginger from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Stir-Fried Ginger Beef with Green Beans?

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 Ginger Beef with Green Beans 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 Stir-Fried Ginger Beef with Green Beans?

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.

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