Sautéed Grass-Fed Beef Strips with Zucchini Noodles and Tomato Basil Sauce
Tender strips of grass-fed beef quickly sautéed and served over fresh zucchini noodles tossed in a vibrant, homemade tomato and basil sauce. This Italian-inspired Whole30 recipe (low carb), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs grass-fed beef sirloin, zucchini, olive 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 Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. 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 into strips grass-fed beef sirloin
- 3 medium, spiralized into noodles zucchini
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp (optional) crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb thinly sliced grass-fed beef sirloin strips in a single layer and sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until browned but still tender. Remove beef and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes if using. Simmer sauce for 8 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves and 1 tbsp lemon juice into the tomato sauce, then add back the cooked beef strips. Toss to coat and heat through for 1 minute.
- Step 5: While sauce simmers, lightly sauté 3 spiralized zucchini noodles in a separate non-stick pan over medium heat for 2 minutes until just tender but still firm.
- Step 6: Plate zucchini noodles and spoon the beef and tomato basil sauce over the top. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Grass-Fed Beef Strips with Zucchini Noodles and Tomato Basil Sauce 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 Sautéed Grass-Fed Beef Strips with Zucchini Noodles and Tomato Basil Sauce?
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 grass-fed beef sirloin from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Grass-Fed Beef Strips with Zucchini Noodles and Tomato Basil Sauce?
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 Grass-Fed Beef Strips with Zucchini Noodles and Tomato Basil Sauce 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.
Is Sautéed Grass-Fed Beef Strips with Zucchini Noodles and Tomato Basil Sauce whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30, low carb, paleo, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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