This Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry is a delightful, speedy dish that brings vibrant flavors to your table, perfect for any occasion!
Imagine a rich, savory sauce enveloping tender marinated beef slices, perfectly caramelized onions, and the delightful aromas of fragrant ginger and garlic. It’s a symphony of flavors that dances on your palate!
Served over a fluffy bed of steamed rice, this dish brings that classic, restaurant-quality flavor right into your home kitchen.
Why This Recipe Shines
✔ Melt-in-Your-Mouth Beef:
The combination of cornstarch and oil in this marinade creates a luscious, tender texture, elevating the beef to a whole new level of deliciousness.
✔ Rich, Umami Explosion:
The combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and hoisin brings a depth of flavor that elevates each and every bite to a whole new level of deliciousness.
✔ Quick and Easy:
This quick and delicious stir fry comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for hectic weeknights!
✔ Customizable:
You can easily swap out beef for chicken, tofu, or your favorite veggies like vibrant bell peppers or crisp snap peas.
✔ Budget-Friendly:
Experience the exquisite taste of restaurant-quality dishes in the comfort of your own kitchen—delicious, flavorful, and easy on the wallet!
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Essential Elements of this Dish
1. Sirloin Steak – The Star Ingredient
The tender, flavorful sirloin steak cooks quickly and perfectly every time. For the best results, slice it thinly against the grain to ensure every bite is tender and bursting with flavor.
2. White Onion – A Sweet, Caramelized Essence
White onion brings a delightful sweetness and a beautifully caramelized flavor to complement the savory beef.
3. Fragrant Ginger and Garlic
The delightful combination of ginger and garlic infuses the dish with a cozy warmth and rich depth, creating that unmistakable essence of Chinese cuisine.
4. A Flavorful Sauce Trio: Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce, and Hoisin
- Soy sauce adds a delightful saltiness and umami richness.
- Oyster sauce and hoisin sauce bring a touch of sweetness, a luxurious depth, and a bold flavor punch.
5. Shaoxing Wine – The Magic Touch
In Chinese cooking, Shaoxing Wine infuses marinades and sauces with a delightful balance of tanginess and sweetness.
6. Cornstarch – The Secret to a Velvety Texture
Cornstarch works its magic by:
✔ Tenderizing the beef.
✔ Creating a luscious, thick sauce that clings perfectly to each bite.
Step-by-Step Preparation Guide
Step 1: Prepping the Ingredients
✔ Peel and thinly slice the onion to unlock its sweet, aromatic flavor.
✔ Mince or thinly slice the garlic for an extra burst of fragrance.
✔ Thinly slice the ginger for that vibrant, aromatic flavor.
✔ Slice the white part of the green onion into 2-inch segments for a beautiful presentation and flavor boost.
Step 2: Marinate the Beef
This step is essential for infusing rich flavors and ensuring a tender bite.
✔ Thinly slice the beef against the grain. (For easier slicing, freeze the beef for 15 minutes before cutting!)
✔ In a mixing bowl, combine:
- Soy sauce
- Shaoxing wine
- Water
- A drizzle of sesame oil
✔ Let the beef soak up these delightful flavors for 15 minutes.
✔ After marinating, mix cornstarch and oil to create a luscious coating that ensures juicy and flavorful beef.
Step 3: Prepare the Stir Fry Sauce
In a small bowl, combine:
✔ Soy sauce and cornstarch – stir until smooth.
✔ Add:
- Sugar
- Oyster sauce
- Hoisin sauce
- Sesame oil
- Shaoxing wine
- Dark soy sauce
- Water
✔ Stir well and set aside.
Step 4: Cooking the Stir Fry
🔥 Heat a large frying pan or wok over high heat until sizzling hot.
✔ Add oil and let it heat up.
✔ Sear the marinated beef for 2-4 minutes until 90% cooked.
✔ Remove the beef from the pan and set it aside.
✔ Add a bit more oil and sauté the aromatics:
- Ginger slices – sauté until golden.
- Garlic and onions – cook until soft and beautifully golden.
✔ Stir the sauce to ensure the cornstarch is evenly incorporated.
✔ Pour the sauce into the pan and stir to enhance its richness.
✔ Return the beef to the pan, letting it soak up all the delicious flavors.
✔ Add the green onions and stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 5: Presentation & Serving
✔ Transfer the vibrant stir fry onto a serving plate, letting the colors shine.
✔ Serve hot over fluffy steamed rice for a complete, satisfying meal.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
✔ Steamed Rice:
- Fragrant jasmine or tender short-grain white rice beautifully soaks up the sauce.
✔ Egg Fried Rice:
- Elevate your feast with a delightful, golden egg fried rice.
✔ Stir-Fried Vegetables:
- Add a side of bok choy, crisp snow peas, or steamed broccoli for a nutritious touch.
✔ Rice Noodles or Lo Mein:
- Toss in cooked rice noodles or lo mein for a heartier dish!
Storing & Preparing Your Culinary Delights
✔ Refrigeration:
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days.
✔ Reheating:
- Stir in a splash of water or broth in a skillet over medium heat.
- Or, pop smaller portions in the microwave for a quick meal!
✔ Freezing:
- Once cooled, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
- Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
✔ Meal Prep Hack:
- Slice the beef and prepare the sauce in advance for a fast weeknight meal!
Alternative Ingredient Choices
✔ Vegetarian Option:
- Swap out beef for tofu or seitan and use vegetable broth in the sauce.
✔ Spicy Kick:
- Add dried chili flakes or fresh chilies for extra heat!
✔ Extra Crunch & Color:
- Toss in sliced bell peppers, carrots, or fresh snap peas.
✔ Gluten-Free Version:
- Use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce and gluten-free hoisin sauce.
✔ Protein Variations:
- Swap out beef for chicken, pork, or shrimp!
Wrapping It All Up
This Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry is a speedy, savory dish that transports the essence of your favorite Chinese restaurant right into your home kitchen.
Imagine fluffy steamed rice or delicate noodles, embracing tender beef drizzled with a rich, savory sauce, topped with sweet caramelized onions.
A delightful harmony of flavors that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy!
Whip this up for a quick weeknight dinner and savor each delicious bite! 🍽️🔥
Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry: A Savory Weeknight Delight
Ingredients
- 300 grams sirloin steak or rib eye, flank steak, or blade steak
- 1/2 white onion or yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 4-5 slices ginger
- 3 cloves garlic minced or thinly sliced
- 1 stalk green onion cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 tbsp soy sauce for marinade
- 1/2 tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine or dry sherry/rice wine for marinade
- 2 tbsp water for marinade
- 1 tsp sesame oil for marinade
- 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce for sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch for sauce
- 1 tsp sugar for sauce
- 1 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1/2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil for sauce
- 1/2 tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine or rice wine for sauce
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce for color; substitute with regular soy sauce if needed
- 1/2 cup water for sauce
Instructions
- Slice the onion thinly. Peel and mince or slice garlic. Slice ginger and cut green onions into 2-inch segments.
- Thinly slice beef against the grain. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, water, and sesame oil. Add beef and marinate for 15 minutes. After marinating, mix in cornstarch to coat and add oil.
- In a small bowl, mix soy sauce and cornstarch until smooth. Add sugar, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, Shaoxing wine, dark soy sauce, and water. Stir well.
- Heat oil in a wok over high heat. Sear marinated beef for 2-4 minutes until 90% cooked. Remove and set aside. Sauté ginger, then garlic and onions until softened. Add sauce, cook until thickened, then return beef and green onions to combine.
- Transfer stir fry to a serving plate. Serve hot with steamed rice.
