Zucchini Noodle Beef Stir-Fry with Sesame
Crispy-sautéed flank steak with spiralized zucchini noodles in a savory sesame-ginger glaze, ready in under 20 minutes for a satisfying low-carb meal. This asian-inspired beef (keto) ready in about 20 minutes pairs avocado oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 8 oz, thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
- 2 medium, spiralized into noodles zucchini
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until smoking slightly (about 1 minute). Add flank steak in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes per side until browned but still slightly pink inside.
- Step 2: Remove steak and set aside. Add zucchini noodles to the skillet in a single layer, cooking for 2 minutes until just tender but still crisp (do not overcrowd).
- Step 3: Return steak to skillet, then stir in 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tsp grated ginger, and 1 minced garlic clove. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens slightly and coats the ingredients.
- Step 4: Transfer to a plate and sprinkle with 1 tsp sesame seeds. Serve immediately while zucchini noodles are still crisp.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Zucchini Noodle Beef Stir-Fry with 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 Zucchini Noodle Beef Stir-Fry with 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 avocado oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Zucchini Noodle Beef Stir-Fry with 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 Zucchini Noodle Beef Stir-Fry with Sesame for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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.
Is Zucchini Noodle Beef Stir-Fry with Sesame keto?
Yes — this recipe is tagged keto based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
