Stir-Fried Beef with Ginger, Garlic, and Scallions
A quick stir-fry featuring tender strips of beef infused with fresh ginger, garlic, and scallions in a savory soy-based sauce. This asian-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs soy sauce, cornstarch, finely grated fresh ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 290 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 against the grain flank steak
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp, finely grated fresh ginger
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 4, white and green parts separated and sliced scallions
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated; let marinate for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked. Remove beef and set aside.
- Step 3: Lower heat to medium-high and add 1 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger, 4 minced garlic cloves, and the white parts of 4 sliced scallions; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Return beef to the wok along with 1/4 cup water, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp sesame oil. Stir constantly for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef evenly.
- Step 5: Add the green parts of the scallions and toss for 15 seconds. Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Beef with Ginger, Garlic, and Scallions 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 Ginger, Garlic, 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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Beef with Ginger, Garlic, 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 Ginger, Garlic, and Scallions 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 Ginger, Garlic, and Scallions?
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.