Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Ginger in Soy Sesame Sauce

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender strips of beef stir-fried with aromatic garlic and ginger, finished in a savory soy sesame sauce. This asian-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs vegetable oil, minced garlic cloves, minced fresh ginger 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Asian cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or 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. Remove beef and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium-high and add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger to the wok. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Return beef to the wok and add 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 1 tsp brown sugar. Toss everything together.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 tsp cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water) and cook for 1 minute until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 chopped scallions and a pinch of 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if desired before serving over steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Ginger in Soy Sesame Sauce 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 Garlic and Ginger in Soy Sesame 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 vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Ginger in Soy Sesame 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 Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Ginger in Soy Sesame Sauce 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 Ginger in Soy Sesame Sauce?

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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