Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Vietnamese Five-Spice
Tender strips of beef quickly stir-fried with garlic and fragrant Vietnamese five-spice powder, finished with a savory soy and fish sauce glaze. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 20 minutes pairs vegetable oil, minced garlic cloves, Vietnamese five-spice powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 across the grain beef sirloin
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 5, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp Vietnamese five-spice powder
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3, chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 4 cups, for serving steamed jasmine rice
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb thinly sliced beef sirloin and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the beef starts to brown.
- Step 3: Sprinkle in 1 tsp Vietnamese five-spice powder, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss continuously for 2 more minutes until the beef is well coated and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 3 chopped green onions and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro for brightness.
- Step 5: Serve immediately over 4 cups steamed jasmine rice for a comforting, flavorful meal.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Vietnamese Five-Spice 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 Garlic and Vietnamese Five-Spice?
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 Vietnamese Five-Spice?
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 Vietnamese Five-Spice 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 Garlic and Vietnamese Five-Spice?
Vietnamese 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.
