Stir-Fried Garlic Chili Beef with Scallions
Tender strips of beef stir-fried quickly with aromatic garlic, spicy chili, and fresh scallions for a flavorful Chinese-inspired dish. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs grams, thinly sliced beef sirloin, finely minced garlic cloves, medium, thinly sliced red chili for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 300 grams, thinly sliced beef sirloin
- 4 cloves, finely minced garlic cloves
- 1 medium, thinly sliced red chili
- 4 stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces scallions
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 300 grams thinly sliced beef sirloin with 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water in a bowl until evenly coated; set aside for 10 minutes to tenderize.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering, then add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 medium thinly sliced red chili; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 3: Add the beef strips to the wok and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the edges brown and beef is just cooked through.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, and 1/4 teaspoon white pepper; toss to coat the beef evenly and cook for another minute until the sauce thickens and clings to the beef.
- Step 5: Add 4 stalks scallions cut into 2-inch pieces and drizzle 1 teaspoon sesame oil; stir-fry for 30 seconds to combine flavors before removing from heat and serving immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Garlic Chili Beef with 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 Garlic Chili Beef with 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 finely minced garlic cloves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Garlic Chili Beef with 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 Garlic Chili Beef with Scallions 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 Garlic Chili Beef with Scallions?
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
- ★★★★★
My go-to for busy nights—takes 15 minutes max. The scallion garnish makes it look fancy, but it’s so easy!
- ★★★★★
So simple but packed with flavor. Served with rice, and the whole pot was gone in 10 minutes.
- ★★★★★
The garlic chili sauce hit all the right notes. Made it with flank steak and it turned out restaurant-quality.
