Stir-Fried Mint Beef with Garlic and Chilies
A fiery stir-fry featuring tender beef strips tossed with fresh mint, garlic, and Thai bird chilies for a refreshing yet spicy flavor. This thai-inspired beef ready in about 18 minutes pairs thinly sliced sirloin beef, vegetable oil, finely minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, thinly sliced sirloin beef
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4, finely minced garlic cloves
- 3, thinly sliced thai bird chilies
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp palm sugar
- 1 cup, loosely packed fresh mint leaves
- 2, sliced diagonally scallions
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 4 finely minced garlic cloves and 3 thinly sliced Thai bird chilies; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 2: Add 12 oz thinly sliced sirloin beef to the wok, spreading it out to sear. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until beef is browned but still tender.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp palm sugar, tossing to coat the beef evenly. Cook for 1 minute until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and fold in 1 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves and 2 sliced scallions. Toss gently until mint wilts slightly but remains bright.
- Step 5: Serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Mint Beef with Garlic and Chilies take to make?
Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 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 Mint Beef with Garlic and Chilies?
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 thinly sliced sirloin beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Mint Beef with Garlic and Chilies?
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 Mint Beef with Garlic and Chilies 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 Mint Beef with Garlic and Chilies?
Thai 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.
