Stir-Fried Beef with Chili Garlic Sauce and Scallions
Tender strips of beef stir-fried in a spicy chili garlic sauce with fresh scallions, perfect for a quick and flavorful Asian street-style meal. This asian-inspired street food ready in about 20 minutes pairs flank steak, vegetable oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 against the grain flank steak
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 small, thinly sliced fresh red chili
- 4, sliced into 2-inch lengths scallions
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp cornstarch, 1/4 cup water, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 thinly sliced fresh red chili to the hot oil, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 4: Add 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak to the wok and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until beef is browned and just cooked through.
- Step 5: Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and toss continuously for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef evenly.
- Step 6: Add 4 scallions sliced into 2-inch lengths and stir-fry for an additional 30 seconds until scallions are bright and slightly tender.
- Step 7: Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Beef with Chili Garlic Sauce and Scallions 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 with Chili Garlic Sauce and Scallions?
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 Chili Garlic Sauce and Scallions?
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 Chili Garlic Sauce and Scallions 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 with Chili Garlic Sauce and Scallions?
Asian street food 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This recipe saved my weeknight dinner! The sauce was amazing and the beef was so tender.
- ★★★★★
My kids asked for seconds. The scallions added the perfect crunch.
- ★★★★★
So simple and packed with flavor. Will make again!








