Beef Stir Fry Recipe

Beef strips: Thinly sliced pieces of beef, perfect for quick cooking in a stir fry.

Red bell pepper: Adds a sweet and slightly fruity flavor, as well as vibrant color.

Green bell pepper: Provides a slightly bitter taste and crunchy texture.

Onion: Adds a mild sweetness and depth of flavor to the dish.

Garlic: Provides a pungent and aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste.

Soy sauce: A salty and savory sauce made from fermented soybeans, essential for Asian cooking.

Oyster sauce: A thick, dark sauce made from oysters, adding a rich umami flavor.

Cornstarch: Used to thicken the sauce, creating a glossy finish.

Vegetable oil: Used for stir-frying, it has a high smoke point and neutral flavor.

To achieve a tender and flavorful beef stir fry, make sure to slice the beef against the grain. This helps to break down the muscle fibers, resulting in a more tender texture. Additionally, marinate the beef strips in a bit of soy sauce and cornstarch for about 15-20 minutes before cooking. This not only adds flavor but also helps to create a velvety coating on the beef.

• beef strips - Substitute with chicken strips: Chicken is a leaner option and cooks quickly, making it a good alternative for stir fry.

• beef strips - Substitute with tofu: Tofu is a great vegetarian option that absorbs flavors well and provides a similar texture.

• red bell pepper - Substitute with yellow bell pepper: Yellow bell peppers have a similar sweetness and crunch.

• green bell pepper - Substitute with broccoli florets: Broccoli adds a different texture and nutritional profile while maintaining a good crunch.

• onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, sweeter flavor that can enhance the dish.

• garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used if fresh garlic is not available, though it will have a slightly different intensity.

• soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative that has a similar flavor profile to soy sauce.

• oyster sauce - Substitute with hoisin sauce: Hoisin sauce provides a sweet and savory flavor that can mimic the depth of oyster sauce.

• cornstarch - Substitute with arrowroot powder: Arrowroot powder is a good thickening agent that works similarly to cornstarch.

• vegetable oil - Substitute with sesame oil: Sesame oil adds a rich, nutty flavor that complements stir fry dishes.

• Allow the beef stir fry to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
• Transfer the cooled stir fry into airtight containers. Divide into meal-sized portions for convenience.
• Store the containers in the refrigerator if you plan to consume within 3-4 days. Ensure the lid is tightly sealed to maintain freshness.
• For longer storage, place the portions in freezer-safe bags or containers. Label with the date to keep track of storage time.
• When freezing, lay the bags flat to save space and ensure even freezing. This also makes thawing quicker.
• To reheat, thaw frozen beef stir fry in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain texture and flavor.
• Reheat in a wok or skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out.
• Stir occasionally to ensure even heating. Heat until the beef and vegetables are warmed through.
• Avoid microwaving as it can make the beef tough and the vegetables mushy. If necessary, use a microwave-safe dish and cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
• Enjoy your reheated beef stir fry as is, or serve over freshly cooked rice or noodles for a complete meal.

• For stovetop reheating:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of vegetable oil to the skillet.
  3. Once the oil is hot, add the leftover beef stir fry.
  4. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating, cooking for about 5-7 minutes until the beef is heated through and the vegetables are tender.

• For microwave reheating:

  1. Place the beef stir fry in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Stir the stir fry halfway through to ensure even heating.
  5. Continue microwaving in 1-minute intervals until the dish is heated through.

• For oven reheating:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the beef stir fry in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  4. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the beef and vegetables are thoroughly heated.

• For reheating in an air fryer:

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the beef stir fry in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. Check to ensure the beef and vegetables are heated through.

• Wok: A large, round-bottomed cooking vessel essential for stir-frying, allowing for even heat distribution and quick cooking.

• Spatula: A flat, broad tool used for flipping and stirring ingredients in the wok.

• Knife: A sharp blade necessary for slicing the beef, bell peppers, and onion.

• Cutting board: A sturdy surface used for chopping and slicing ingredients safely.

• Garlic press: A tool to efficiently mince the garlic cloves.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch accurately.

• Mixing bowl: A bowl to combine the cornstarch and water before adding it to the stir fry.

• Tongs: Useful for handling and turning the beef strips while stir-frying.

• Serving dish: A plate or bowl to serve the finished beef stir fry.

Prep ingredients in advance: Slice the beef strips, bell peppers, and onion ahead of time and store them in separate containers.

Use pre-minced garlic: Save time by using store-bought minced garlic instead of mincing it yourself.

Make the sauce beforehand: Mix the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch mixture in a bowl and keep it ready to pour into the wok.

Cook in batches: If your wok is small, cook the beef strips and vegetables in batches to ensure even cooking and avoid overcrowding.