Tangy Chinese Beef and Onion Stir-Fry Recipe for Busy Nights

Weeknight dinners demand quick, flavorful solutions that satisfy hunger and delight taste buds.

This chinese beef and onion stir-fry delivers a perfect blend of savory and tender ingredients in minutes.

Sliced beef sizzles with sweet onions, creating a mouthwatering aroma that fills your kitchen.

Crisp vegetables and a rich sauce complement the protein, making each bite a delectable experience.

Simple techniques and minimal prep work ensure you spend less time cooking and more time enjoying.

Fresh ingredients transform an ordinary meal into an extraordinary culinary adventure.

Serve this delicious stir-fry over steamed rice for a complete and satisfying dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Chinese Beef and Onion Stir-fry You’ll Want Again

• Quicken Cooking Skills: Master the art of stir-frying with this simple Chinese beef recipe that teaches essential techniques like marinating, high-heat cooking, and sauce preparation.
• Packed with Flavor Punch: Combining soy sauce, oyster sauce, and hoisin sauce creates a rich, umami-packed taste that transforms ordinary beef into a restaurant-quality dish.
• Versatile Weeknight Winner: Perfect for busy families, this one-pan meal comes together rapidly, requires minimal ingredients, and offers a delicious protein-rich dinner that everyone will enjoy.
• Customize with Ease: Swap beef with chicken or tofu, adjust spice levels, or add extra vegetables to make this recipe adaptable to different dietary preferences and pantry ingredients.

Ingredients for Classic Beef Stir-fry

• Beef: Tender slices that absorb the savory marinade and create the primary protein for the dish.

• Garlic, Green Onions: Fresh ingredients that add depth and bright flavor to the stir-fry.
• Ground Black Pepper: Provides a subtle warmth and mild spiciness to the beef.

• Soy Sauce: Brings rich umami and salty complexity to the entire dish.
• Cornstarch: Helps tenderize the beef and create a smooth sauce coating.
• Oyster Sauce, Hoisin Sauce: Provide sweet and complex savory undertones to the sauce.
• Sugar: Balances the saltiness and adds a slight caramelization to the sauce.
• Water: Helps to thin and blend the sauce ingredients smoothly.

• Vegetable Oil: Ensures even cooking and prevents sticking during stir-frying.
• Sesame Oil: Adds a nutty, aromatic finish to the completed dish.

• Onions: Sweet and tender base vegetable that caramelizes beautifully during cooking.

Stir-fry Steps for Quick Weeknight Dinners

Step 1: Massage Beef Seasoning

Create a flavor bath for your beef by blending soy sauce, cornstarch, and ground black pepper in a mixing bowl.

Lovingly coat the beef slices and let them soak up the delicious marinade for 10 minutes.

• Beef slices
• Soy sauce
• Cornstarch
• Ground black pepper

Step 2: Whip Up Magical Sauce

Craft a flavor-packed sauce by whisking together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sugar, and water in a small bowl.

Set this flavor powerhouse aside, ready to transform your dish.

• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Sugar
• Water

Step 3: Sizzle the Beef

Fire up a large skillet or wok with vegetable oil.

Dance the beef around the hot surface in batches, creating a beautiful golden-brown exterior.

Cook until each piece is perfectly done, then rescue the beef to a waiting plate.

Step 4: Caramelize Onion Magic

In the same sizzling skillet, add another splash of oil.

Toss in onions and watch them transform into sweet, golden delights.

Sprinkle minced garlic and let the aroma fill your kitchen.

• Onions
• Minced garlic

Step 5: Bring Everything Together

Reunite the beef with the caramelized onions.

Pour the prepared sauce over the top, stirring until everything is beautifully coated and the sauce transforms into a glossy glaze.

Add a final drizzle of sesame oil for an extra flavor punch.

• Cooked beef
• Caramelized onions
• Prepared sauce
• Sesame oil

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Plate your masterpiece alongside steamed rice or noodles.

Watch as your family and friends dive into this delectable Chinese beef creation.

Tips for Tender, Flavorful Stir-fry

• Use flank or sirloin steak sliced against the grain for maximum tenderness and quicker cooking.
• Maintain high wok or skillet temperature to achieve perfect caramelization without burning meat or onions.
• Stir-fry beef in batches to ensure each piece browns properly and develops delicious crispy edges.
• Adjust water quantity in sauce to create ideal thickness – thicker sauce clings better to meat and onions.
• Add a small splash of rice wine or Chinese cooking wine for extra authentic taste complexity.

Stir-fry Variations You Can Try

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace soy sauce with tamari, use gluten-free oyster sauce, and ensure cornstarch is certified gluten-free for a celiac-friendly option.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap out rice for cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles, reduce sugar in the sauce, and use a low-carb thickening agent like xanthan gum.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Substitute beef with firm tofu or seitan, pressing and marinating the protein similarly to achieve a meaty texture and flavor profile.
• Spicy Kick Variation: Add crushed red pepper flakes, sriracha sauce, or diced chili peppers during the stir-frying process to elevate the heat and complexity of the dish.

Best Ways to Serve Beef and Onion Stir-fry

• Asian-Style Rice Bowl: Pile the stir-fry over fluffy white rice, creating a perfect balance of tender beef and soft grains for a complete meal.
• Noodle Companion: Serve alongside egg noodles or rice noodles, letting the savory sauce drench the pasta for an extra flavor punch.
• Veggie Boost: Add quick-sautéed bell peppers or broccoli florets to increase nutrition and create a more colorful plate that pops with freshness.
• Quick Lunch Wrap: Stuff the beef and onion mixture into warm tortillas or lettuce wraps for a portable, protein-packed lunch option that's easy to enjoy.

How to Store Stir-fry Leftovers Easily

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Place in the refrigerator and consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and safety.
• Transfer cooled stir-fry to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Place stir-fry in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.

FAQs

• What makes the beef tender in this stir-fry?

Marinating the beef with cornstarch helps tenderize the meat and creates a protective coating that keeps it juicy during high-heat cooking.

• Can I use a different type of meat?

Yes, you can substitute beef with chicken, pork, or even tofu for a similar stir-fry experience with the same delicious sauce.

• Why stir-fry in batches?

Cooking beef in batches prevents overcrowding, which helps achieve a nice brown sear and prevents the meat from steaming instead of browning.

• Is the sauce authentic to Chinese cuisine?

The sauce combines traditional Chinese ingredients like soy sauce, oyster sauce, and hoisin sauce, creating a classic flavor profile found in many Chinese stir-fry dishes.

Chinese Beef And Onion Stir-fry Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling Chinese Beef and Onion Stir-Fry brings authentic Asian flavors to your kitchen in minutes. Quick, savory ingredients dance together in a wok, promising a delicious meal that connects you with traditional Chinese culinary magic.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (1 lb) beef sirloin, flank steak, or ribeye, thinly sliced against the grain

Marinade and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (optional)

Stir-fry Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, sliced into thin wedges
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated or finely minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon water (optional)
• 1–2 green onions, sliced
• Sesame seeds (optional)

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Instructions

1. Immerse sliced beef in a marinade of soy sauce, cornstarch, and black pepper. Allow flavors to meld for 10 minutes at room temperature.
2. Craft the stir-fry sauce by whisking together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sugar, and water in a separate container.
3. Crank wok or large skillet to high heat with vegetable oil. Sear beef in small batches, ensuring each piece browns quickly without overcrowding. Cook for 2-3 minutes until exterior caramelizes and meat reaches desired doneness. Transfer beef to a holding plate.
4. In the same hot skillet, introduce remaining oil and toss onions. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until edges turn golden and vegetables soften. Introduce minced garlic and stir vigorously for an additional minute to release aromatic compounds.
5. Reunite cooked beef with caramelized onions in the skillet. Pour prepared sauce over the mixture, stirring constantly to distribute flavors evenly. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens and glossily coats ingredients.
6. Enhance with a drizzle of sesame oil and sprinkle of sliced green onions. Serve immediately alongside steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Notes

• Marinate beef briefly to enhance tenderness and flavor absorption, ensuring each slice is well-coated with seasonings.
• Avoid overcrowding the pan when cooking beef to achieve perfect caramelization and prevent steaming, which can make meat tough.
• Use high heat consistently during stir-frying to create that signature wok-seared flavor and maintain meat’s juiciness without becoming dry.
• Consider protein alternatives like tofu or chicken for dietary preferences, adjusting cooking times accordingly to maintain dish’s core essence.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 289 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 890 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg