Stir-Fried Beef with Black Bean Sauce and Snow Peas
Tender strips of beef wok-tossed with savory fermented black bean sauce and crisp snow peas for a quick Asian-inspired meal. This Chinese-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs flank steak, fermented black beans, 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 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
- 2 tbsp, rinsed and mashed fermented black beans
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp fresh minced ginger
- 2 cups trimmed snow peas
- 2, sliced green onions
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tbsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp soy sauce. Set aside for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add the beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked. Remove beef and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the wok. Stir-fry 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 2 tbsp mashed fermented black beans, 2 cups trimmed snow peas, 1/4 cup water, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp brown sugar. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until snow peas are bright green and crisp-tender.
- Step 5: Return beef to the wok along with 2 sliced green onions. Toss everything together and cook 1-2 minutes until beef is cooked through and sauce thickens slightly. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Beef with Black Bean Sauce and Snow Peas 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 Stir-Fried Beef with Black Bean Sauce and Snow Peas?
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 flank steak from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Beef with Black Bean Sauce and Snow Peas?
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 with Black Bean Sauce and Snow Peas 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 Stir-Fried Beef with Black Bean Sauce and Snow Peas?
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.
