Stir-Fried Beef with Spicy Garlic and Ginger Sauce
Tender strips of beef wok-seared with a fragrant garlic and ginger sauce, finished with a touch of chili for a popular spicy kick. This asian-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs soy sauce, cornstarch, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2 stalks sliced on a bias green onions
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak with 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp cornstarch in a bowl until evenly coated. Let marinate for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned and just cooked through, then remove beef from the wok.
- Step 3: In the same wok, reduce heat to medium and add 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 tsp brown sugar and 2 tbsp water, scraping the pan to loosen browned bits, and cook for 1 minute until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Step 5: Return the beef to the wok along with 2 sliced green onions and 1 tsp sesame oil. Toss everything together and cook for an additional 1 minute to combine flavors before serving hot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Beef with Spicy Garlic and Ginger 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 Spicy Garlic and Ginger 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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Beef with Spicy Garlic and Ginger 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 Spicy Garlic and Ginger 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 Spicy Garlic and Ginger 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.
