Sautéed Beef Stir-Fry with Bitter Melon and Chili

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-07 · Updated 2026-08-07

A bold and slightly bitter stir-fry combining tender beef slices with crisp bitter melon and a spicy chili kick, perfect for a quick Asian-inspired dinner. This Asian-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 27 minutes, pairs beef sirloin, bitter melon, red chili pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Ingredients

• 12 oz, thinly sliced beef sirloin
• 1 medium, sliced into thin half-moons bitter melon
• 1 small, thinly sliced red chili pepper
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp water
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 stalks, chopped green onions

The wok we’d stir-fry this in → Best Woks for 2026: Carbon Steel, Nonstick & Flat-Bottom Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Toss 12 oz thinly sliced beef sirloin with 1 tsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp soy sauce to lightly coat; set aside for 10 minutes.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 small thinly sliced red chili pepper; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
3. Step 3: Add the marinated beef to the wok and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the edges are just browned but the beef is still tender.
4. Step 4: Add 1 medium sliced bitter melon and continue stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until the melon softens slightly but retains some crunch.
5. Step 5: Mix 2 tbsp water, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a small bowl. Pour this sauce into the wok and stir well, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients.
6. Step 6: Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the stir-fry and toss to combine. Remove from heat, garnish with 2 chopped green onions, and serve hot.