Sautéed Garlic Scallion Beef Stir-Fry with Chili and Sesame

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

Tender strips of beef quickly stir-fried with garlic, scallions, and chili flakes, finished with toasted sesame for a vibrant Asian-inspired dish. This asian-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs tablespoons soy sauce, tablespoon cornstarch, tablespoons vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, toss 1 pound thinly sliced flank steak with 3 tablespoons soy sauce and 1 tablespoon cornstarch until evenly coated. Let marinate for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add marinated beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned and just cooked through. Remove beef and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-high, add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 4 scallions cut into 2-inch pieces. Stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant but garlic is not burned.
  4. Step 4: Return beef to the wok, add 1/2 teaspoon dried red chili flakes, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Toss all ingredients together for 1 minute until well combined and heated through.
  5. Step 5: Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Scallion Beef Stir-Fry with Chili and 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 Sautéed Garlic Scallion Beef Stir-Fry with Chili and 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 tablespoons soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Scallion Beef Stir-Fry with Chili and 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 Sautéed Garlic Scallion Beef Stir-Fry with Chili and 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.

What goes well with Sautéed Garlic Scallion Beef Stir-Fry with Chili and Sesame?

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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