Hello everyone! This amazing Chinese beef and onion stir fry brings all the flavors of your favorite restaurant right to your kitchen in just 30 minutes. The secret to this dish’s incredible taste lies in the perfect balance of tender, marinated beef with crisp vegetables and a savory sauce that coats everything beautifully. It’s the kind of meal that makes weeknight dinners feel special and satisfying.
What You’ll Need
For the Beef and Marinade:
- 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for tender, velvety beef)
For Stir Frying:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided for cooking)
- 1 large onion, sliced into strips
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (any color you prefer)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced fine
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
For the Sauce:
- 1/4 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Serving:
- Cooked rice or noodles for serving
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing Your Beef for Success
Step 1: The key to tender stir-fry beef starts with proper slicing. Take your flank steak and place it on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice the beef as thinly as possible against the grain – this means cutting perpendicular to the muscle fibers. This technique ensures every bite will be tender rather than chewy.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine your sliced beef with the soy sauce and cornstarch. Mix everything together with your hands or a spoon until each piece of beef is well coated. The cornstarch creates what’s called “velveting” – it gives the beef a silky texture and helps it stay tender during the high-heat cooking. Let this marinate for about 15 minutes while you prepare your other ingredients.
Getting Everything Ready
Step 3: While your beef marinates, prepare all your vegetables. Slice your onion into strips about 1/4 inch thick, cut your bell pepper into similar-sized strips, and mince your garlic and ginger finely. Having everything prepped before you start cooking is crucial for stir-frying success – once you begin, everything moves quickly!
The Perfect Sear
Step 4: Heat your largest skillet or wok over medium-high heat until it’s very hot – you should feel the heat when you hold your hand a few inches above the surface. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and swirl it around to coat the bottom.
Step 5: Add your marinated beef in a single layer – don’t overcrowd the pan, or you’ll steam the meat instead of searing it. Let the beef cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until it develops a beautiful brown color. This searing creates incredible flavor. Remove the beef from the skillet and set it aside on a clean plate.
Building Layers of Flavor
Step 6: In the same skillet (don’t clean it – those browned bits add amazing flavor!), add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add your sliced onion and bell pepper strips to the hot oil. Stir-fry them for 3-4 minutes, tossing frequently with a spatula or wooden spoon. You want them to start softening but still have some crispness – this creates the perfect texture contrast.
Step 7: Create a small well in the center of your vegetables and add the minced garlic and ginger. Stir-fry for just 1 minute until they become incredibly fragrant. Be careful not to let them burn – they can go from perfect to bitter very quickly.
The Grand Finale
Step 8: Return your beautifully seared beef to the skillet with all the vegetables. Pour in the beef broth and oyster sauce, then toss everything together. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats everything beautifully.
Step 9: Remove the skillet from heat and drizzle the sesame oil over everything. The sesame oil is added at the end to preserve its nutty flavor and aroma. Season with salt and pepper to taste, give everything one final toss, and you’re ready to serve!
Serving Suggestions
This delicious stir fry is absolutely perfect served over steaming hot jasmine rice or fresh noodles. The sauce is so flavorful that it soaks into the rice beautifully, making every bite satisfying. For a complete meal, consider adding some steamed broccoli or snap peas on the side.
Why This Recipe Works So Well
The magic of this stir fry lies in the combination of proper technique and quality ingredients. Marinating the beef with cornstarch creates incredibly tender meat, while cooking everything at high heat preserves the vegetables’ crispness and develops those wonderful caramelized flavors that make restaurant stir-fries so irresistible.
Creative Variations and Tips
Spice It Up:
- Add sliced jalapeños or red pepper flakes during the vegetable cooking stage for extra heat
- Try adding a teaspoon of chili garlic sauce with the other sauces
Protein Alternatives:
- Substitute chicken breast, sliced thin, for a lighter option
- Use firm tofu, cubed and drained, for a vegetarian version
- Try thinly sliced pork tenderloin for variety
Success Tips:
- Make sure your pan is hot before adding ingredients
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – cook in batches if necessary
- Have all ingredients prepped before you start cooking
- Slice beef when it’s slightly frozen for easier, thinner slices
Nutritional Information
Per Serving (Serves 4):
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Net Carbs: 10g
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 18g
Perfect Timing
Prep Time: 20 minutes (including marinating)
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4 generous portions
This Chinese beef and onion stir fry proves that restaurant-quality meals can be made at home with simple ingredients and the right techniques. Enjoy every flavorful, satisfying bite!
