Simple Beef Stir-Fry Recipe: A Quick Weeknight Dinner

Looking for a simple beef stir-fry recipe that will impress your family and friends? This quick weeknight dinner is perfect for busy nights when you want to enjoy a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Beef stir-fry offers a great balance of flavors, textures, and ease of preparation. Here’s how you can make this easy yet satisfying dish.

Ingredients needed for 4 servings:

• 2 lb (907g) beef sirloin or flank steak
• 1 cup sliced bell peppers
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil for stir-frying (about 2 tablespoons)

Preparation Steps:

Step 1: Prepare the Beef: Start by slicing your beef sirloin or flank steak into thin strips. This helps ensure even cooking. Pat the meat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which will help it brown nicely when stir-fried.

Step 2: Season the Meat: In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Add your beef strips into this mixture and toss well so that each piece gets coated with the flavorful sauce. Let it marinate for about 10-15 minutes at room temperature to enhance the flavors.

Step 3: Prepare Vegetables: While your meat is marinating, prepare your vegetables by slicing or cutting them into appropriate sizes. This ensures that all components of your stir-fry are cooked perfectly together without overcooking any one ingredient.

Step 4: Stir-Fry the Meat and Vegetables: Once your marinade has been absorbed, heat up a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add about two tablespoons of vegetable oil to get it hot but not smoking. Carefully add the beef strips into the pan. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook them in batches if necessary so they can brown properly without steaming.

Once the meat is nicely seared on all sides (about 2-3 minutes per side), remove it from the wok and set aside. Next, add your vegetables to the remaining oil in the pan along with minced garlic for added flavor. Stir-fry until they are just tender-crisp (about 3-4 minutes). Finally, return the beef to the wok along with any juices that have accumulated.

Step 5: Serve: Once everything is thoroughly heated through and well combined, your simple beef stir-fry is ready to be served. It pairs beautifully with steamed rice or noodles. Enjoy this quick yet delicious meal!

Cooking Time & Servings

This recipe takes approximately 30 minutes from start to finish and serves four people generously.

To make the dish even more delightful, you could add some cooked noodles such as spaghetti or vermicelli to your plate. For a bit of heat, consider adding sliced chili peppers or a dash of hot sauce. Alternatively, if you prefer milder flavors, omit these additions entirely and focus on the natural umami taste from soy and oyster sauces.

Remember that variations exist for this basic recipe. You can also incorporate additional vegetables like carrots, green beans, or snap peas to suit your preferences. Just ensure they are cut into similar sizes so they cook evenly alongside the beef and bell peppers.

The simplicity of this dish makes it very versatile too; you could experiment by using different types of meat such as chicken breast or pork tenderloin instead of beef. Similarly, various sauces like hoisin sauce or fish sauce can replace soy and oyster sauce according to personal taste buds.

Beef stir-fry is not just about its delicious flavor but also how quickly it comes together. With minimal preparation time and versatile ingredients, this recipe stands out as a go-to option for busy weeknights when you want something hearty yet healthy. Whether served solo or with side dishes like rice or noodles, beef stir-fry remains popular among home cooks worldwide.