Quick Stir-Fry Beef with Garlic and Ginger

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

A fast and flavorful Asian-inspired stir-fry featuring tender strips of beef cooked with aromatic garlic and ginger in a savory soy glaze. This asian-inspired stir fry ready in about 20 minutes pairs vegetable oil, minced garlic cloves, minced fresh ginger 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
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak to the wok. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the beef is browned on all sides but still tender.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1 small julienned red bell pepper, and 2 sliced scallions. Cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds over the dish before serving immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Stir-Fry Beef with Garlic and Ginger 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-Fry Beef with Garlic and Ginger?

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 vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Stir-Fry Beef with Garlic and Ginger?

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-Fry Beef with Garlic and Ginger 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-Fry Beef with Garlic and Ginger?

Asian stir fry 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.

Related recipes