Stir-Fried Beef and Snow Peas with Garlic and Sesame

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A quick and vibrant stir-fry combining tender strips of beef with crisp snow peas, infused with garlic and toasted sesame for bold flavor. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 20 minutes pairs trimmed snow peas, minced garlic, soy sauce 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tsp cornstarch and 2 tbsp water in a bowl until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the beef strips and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but still slightly pink inside. Remove beef from pan and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same pan, add 2 cups trimmed snow peas and 4 cloves minced garlic. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until snow peas are bright green and crisp-tender.
  4. Step 4: Return the beef to the pan and add 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tsp sesame oil, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss everything together and cook for another 1-2 minutes until beef is cooked through and sauce coats the ingredients.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat, sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds over the stir-fry, and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Beef and Snow Peas with Garlic and Sesame 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 Stir-Fried Beef and Snow Peas with Garlic 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 trimmed snow peas from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Beef and Snow Peas with Garlic 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 Stir-Fried Beef and Snow Peas with Garlic and Sesame 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 Stir-Fried Beef and Snow Peas with Garlic and Sesame?

Chinese 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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