Stir-Fried Shaking Beef with Garlic and Black Pepper

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy cubes of tender beef wok-seared with garlic and black pepper, served with a light soy-based sauce and garnished with scallions and sesame seeds. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 30 minutes pairs beef sirloin, soy sauce, oyster sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, toss 1 pound 1-inch cubed beef sirloin with 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add marinated beef cubes and stir-fry vigorously for 3-4 minutes until the beef is well-seared on all sides and medium-rare to medium.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 2 tablespoons water to deglaze the pan and create a light sauce. Toss in 3 stalks of scallions cut into 1-inch pieces, stir-fry for another 1 minute until scallions are slightly wilted.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat, sprinkle 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds over the beef, and serve immediately with steamed rice or as part of a rice plate.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Shaking Beef with Garlic and Black Pepper take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (20 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 Shaking Beef with Garlic and Black Pepper?

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 beef sirloin from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Shaking Beef with Garlic and Black Pepper?

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 Shaking Beef with Garlic and Black Pepper 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 Shaking Beef with Garlic and Black Pepper?

Vietnamese 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.

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