Recipes

Chinese Beef and Onion Stir-Fry

By Martha

Everyday Kitchen Bliss!

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This savory and flavorful Chinese Beef and Onion Stir-Fry is a quick and easy dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. With tender beef slices, sweet caramelized onions, and a rich, umami-packed sauce, this stir-fry will satisfy all your cravings. Serve it over rice or noodles for a complete meal in under 30 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

  • Quick and Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
  • Flavorful: Packed with rich umami flavors from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and hoisin sauce.
  • Customizable: Add your favorite veggies like bell peppers or mushrooms to suit your taste.
  • Versatile: Serve it with rice, noodles, or even a side of stir-fried greens.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

  • 1 lb beef (flank steak or sirloin), thinly sliced
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger, minced
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp water for thickening)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup beef broth or water
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
  • Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

 

How to Make Chinese Beef and Onion Stir-Fry:

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Beef:
    • In a bowl, toss the thinly sliced beef with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and a pinch of black pepper. Let it marinate for 10 minutes while you prep the other ingredients.
  2. Cook the Beef:
    • Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over high heat. Stir-fry the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, cooking for 2-3 minutes per batch until the beef is browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  3. Cook the Onion:
    • In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Stir-fry the sliced onions over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes, or until they become soft and slightly caramelized.
  4. Add Aromatics:
    • Add the minced garlic and ginger to the onions, stirring frequently. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Make the Sauce:
    • In a small bowl, combine the remaining soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and beef broth (or water). Stir well to blend the flavors.
  6. Combine Everything:
    • Return the browned beef to the pan with the onions and aromatics. Pour in the sauce mixture and stir everything together to ensure the beef and onions are coated evenly.
    • Stir in the cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water). Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and onions beautifully.
  7. Serve:
    • Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for extra texture and color. Serve the stir-fry hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Helpful Tips:

  • Marinate the Beef: For even more flavor, marinate the beef for at least 30 minutes. You can add a splash of soy sauce, sesame oil, and a bit of sugar to the marinade for extra depth.
  • Use High Heat: Stir-frying works best when done quickly at high heat, which helps lock in the flavors while keeping the beef tender.
  • Customize the Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or even broccoli for a more colorful and nutrient-packed meal.
  • Slice Against the Grain: For the most tender beef, slice your meat against the grain, which shortens the muscle fibers and makes the beef easier to chew.

Details:

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stir-fry
  • Cuisine: Chinese
  • Diet: High-Protein, Dairy-Free

Notes:

  • You can substitute the beef with chicken or lamb if you prefer a different protein.
  • Adjust the amount of oyster sauce and hoisin sauce to suit your taste if you prefer a sweeter or saltier sauce.

Nutritional Information:

  • Calories: ~350 kcal per serving
  • Protein: 28g
  • Fat: 15g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 800mg

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can I use other cuts of beef?

  • Yes! Flank steak or sirloin are ideal for stir-fries, but you can also use other tender cuts like ribeye or skirt steak. Just be sure to slice it thinly against the grain.

2. How can I make this dish spicier?

  • If you like a bit of heat, add sliced chili peppers or a dash of red pepper flakes to the dish while stir-frying the garlic and ginger.

3. What can I use instead of hoisin sauce?

  • You can replace hoisin sauce with a mixture of soy sauce and a bit of brown sugar for a similar sweet and savory flavor.

Storage Instructions:

  • Refrigerator: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.
  • Freezer: You can freeze the cooked stir-fry for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

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Conclusion:

This Chinese Beef and Onion Stir-Fry is a delicious, easy, and versatile recipe perfect for a quick dinner. Its rich flavors, tender beef, and caramelized onions make it a satisfying meal that pairs beautifully with steamed rice or noodles. Give it a try, and it might just become one of your favorite go-to weeknight meals!

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Chinese Beef and Onion Stir-Fry


  • Author: Martha

Description

This savory and flavorful Chinese Beef and Onion Stir-Fry is a quick and easy dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. With tender beef slices, sweet caramelized onions, and a rich, umami-packed sauce, this stir-fry will satisfy all your cravings. Serve it over rice or noodles for a complete meal in under 30 minutes.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb beef (flank steak or sirloin), thinly sliced
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger, minced
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp water for thickening)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup beef broth or water
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
  • Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Beef:
    • In a bowl, toss the thinly sliced beef with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and a pinch of black pepper. Let it marinate for 10 minutes while you prep the other ingredients.
  2. Cook the Beef:
    • Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over high heat. Stir-fry the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, cooking for 2-3 minutes per batch until the beef is browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  3. Cook the Onion:
    • In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Stir-fry the sliced onions over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes, or until they become soft and slightly caramelized.
  4. Add Aromatics:
    • Add the minced garlic and ginger to the onions, stirring frequently. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Make the Sauce:
    • In a small bowl, combine the remaining soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and beef broth (or water). Stir well to blend the flavors.
  6. Combine Everything:
    • Return the browned beef to the pan with the onions and aromatics. Pour in the sauce mixture and stir everything together to ensure the beef and onions are coated evenly.
    • Stir in the cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water). Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and onions beautifully.
  7. Serve:
    • Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for extra texture and color. Serve the stir-fry hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

  • You can substitute the beef with chicken or lamb if you prefer a different protein.
  • Adjust the amount of oyster sauce and hoisin sauce to suit your taste if you prefer a sweeter or saltier sauce.

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