Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Chili
Tender strips of beef stir-fried with fragrant garlic and fresh chili for a quick and savory Asian-inspired dish. This asian-inspired beef ready in about 18 minutes pairs minced garlic cloves, small, thinly sliced red chili, 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 small, thinly sliced red chili
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2, sliced diagonally green onions
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but still tender.
- Step 2: Push the beef to one side of the wok and add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 thinly sliced small red chili. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Mix the beef and aromatics together and add 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Stir-fry for another minute until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving immediately with steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Chili take to make?
Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 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 Garlic and Chili?
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 minced garlic cloves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Chili?
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 Garlic and Chili 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 Garlic and Chili?
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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