Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Scallions in Black Pepper Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender strips of beef quickly stir-fried with fragrant garlic and scallions, coated in a bold black pepper sauce perfect over steamed rice. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs flank steak, cornstarch, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 370 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.

★ 4.3 (10 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 370 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tbsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp soy sauce until evenly coated; set aside for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but still tender; remove beef and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the wok, then stir-fry 4 minced garlic cloves and 4 cut scallions for 30 seconds until aromatic.
  4. Step 4: Return beef to the wok; add 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 2 tbsp water. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the beef.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Scallions in Black Pepper 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 Scallions in Black Pepper 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 flank steak from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Scallions in Black Pepper 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 Scallions in Black Pepper 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 Scallions in Black Pepper Sauce?

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.

What others are saying

Related recipes