Vietnamese-Style Lemongrass Beef Stir Fry with Fresh Herbs
Quick stir fry of tender beef strips infused with fragrant lemongrass and garlic, tossed with fresh herbs for a vibrant, aromatic dish. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs stalks lemongrass stalks, finely minced, garlic cloves, minced, fish sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 stalks lemongrass stalks, finely minced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 small red chili, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, chopped
- for serving lime wedges
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 2 finely minced lemongrass stalks, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp brown sugar. Marinate for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated beef and 1 thinly sliced small red chili, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until beef is just cooked through and edges start to caramelize.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and toss in 1/4 cup each of chopped fresh mint, cilantro, and Thai basil leaves, stirring gently to combine the herbal freshness.
- Step 4: Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing over the beef.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vietnamese-Style Lemongrass Beef Stir Fry with Fresh Herbs take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (20 min prep + 5 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 Vietnamese-Style Lemongrass Beef Stir Fry with Fresh Herbs?
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 garlic cloves, minced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese-Style Lemongrass Beef Stir Fry with Fresh Herbs?
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 Vietnamese-Style Lemongrass Beef Stir Fry with Fresh Herbs 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 Vietnamese-Style Lemongrass Beef Stir Fry with Fresh Herbs?
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.
