Stir-Fried Ginger Beef with Scallions and Sesame
Tender strips of beef tossed in a savory ginger and soy sauce glaze, enhanced with fresh scallions and toasted sesame seeds for a fragrant stir-fry. This chinese-inspired chinese ready in about 20 minutes pairs finely grated fresh ginger, minced garlic, sliced into 2-inch pieces scallions 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
- 12 oz, thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
- 2 tbsp, finely grated fresh ginger
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 4, sliced into 2-inch pieces scallions
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp water
- 1/4 tsp, freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tsp cornstarch and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper in a bowl until evenly coated.
- 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 not fully cooked; remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Lower heat to medium-high and add 2 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger and 3 minced garlic cloves to the same pan; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 3 tbsp water, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Step 5: Return the beef to the pan along with 4 sliced scallions and 2 tsp sesame oil; toss everything together and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the beef is tender and the scallions soften.
- Step 6: Sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds over the stir-fry just before serving for a nutty aroma and crunch.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Ginger Beef with Scallions and Sesame 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 Ginger Beef with Scallions and Sesame?
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 grated fresh ginger from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Ginger Beef with Scallions and Sesame?
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 Ginger Beef with Scallions and Sesame 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 Ginger Beef with Scallions and Sesame?
Chinese chinese 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.
