This beef stir fry is a quick and delicious meal that brings together tender slices of beef sirloin with vibrant bell pepper and onion. The combination of soy sauce and oyster sauce creates a savory, umami-rich flavor that pairs perfectly with steamed rice. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.
If you don't usually cook Asian cuisine, you might not have oyster sauce or cornstarch in your pantry. Oyster sauce is a thick, dark sauce made from oysters and is commonly used in Chinese cooking to add a rich, savory flavor. Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent and helps to give the beef a velvety texture. Both can be found in the international aisle of most supermarkets.
Ingredients For Beef Stir Fry Recipe
Beef sirloin: Thinly sliced for quick cooking and tenderness.
Soy sauce: Adds a salty, umami flavor to the dish.
Oyster sauce: Provides a rich, savory taste that enhances the overall flavor.
Cornstarch: Helps to thicken the sauce and gives the beef a smooth texture.
Vegetable oil: Used for stir-frying the ingredients.
Bell pepper: Adds a sweet and crunchy element to the stir fry.
Onion: Provides a mild, sweet flavor that complements the other ingredients.
Garlic: Adds a pungent, aromatic flavor to the dish.
Ginger: Adds a warm, spicy note that enhances the overall taste.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To achieve a tender and flavorful beef stir fry, make sure to slice the beef sirloin against the grain. This helps to break down the muscle fibers, resulting in a more tender texture. Additionally, marinating the beef with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch not only infuses it with flavor but also helps to create a silky coating that enhances the overall dish. When stir-frying, ensure your wok is smoking hot before adding the vegetable oil; this high heat is crucial for achieving that signature stir-fry sear and preventing the ingredients from steaming.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
beef sirloin - Substitute with chicken breast: Chicken breast is a lean protein that absorbs flavors well and cooks quickly, making it a suitable alternative for stir fry dishes.
beef sirloin - Substitute with tofu: Tofu is a plant-based protein that can be marinated and stir-fried to mimic the texture and flavor of beef, making it a great vegetarian option.
soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce with a similar umami flavor, making it suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
soy sauce - Substitute with coconut aminos: Coconut aminos is a soy-free and lower-sodium alternative that provides a slightly sweeter flavor, suitable for those avoiding soy.
oyster sauce - Substitute with hoisin sauce: Hoisin sauce is a thick, fragrant sauce that can provide a similar sweet and savory flavor profile to oyster sauce.
oyster sauce - Substitute with mushroom sauce: Mushroom sauce offers a rich umami flavor similar to oyster sauce and is a good vegetarian alternative.
cornstarch - Substitute with arrowroot powder: Arrowroot powder is a gluten-free thickening agent that works similarly to cornstarch in stir fry sauces.
cornstarch - Substitute with potato starch: Potato starch is another gluten-free thickening agent that can be used in place of cornstarch for a similar consistency.
vegetable oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a high smoke point and neutral flavor, making it a suitable alternative for stir frying.
vegetable oil - Substitute with grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil also has a high smoke point and a light flavor, making it another good option for stir frying.
bell pepper - Substitute with zucchini: Zucchini has a similar texture and can add a mild flavor to the stir fry, making it a good substitute for bell pepper.
bell pepper - Substitute with snap peas: Snap peas provide a crunchy texture and a slightly sweet flavor, which can complement the other ingredients in the stir fry.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder and slightly sweeter flavor compared to onions, making them a suitable alternative.
onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks offer a mild onion-like flavor and can add a different texture to the stir fry.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can provide a similar flavor to fresh garlic, though it should be used in smaller quantities.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots can provide a mild garlic-like flavor and add a different texture to the dish.
ginger - Substitute with ground ginger: Ground ginger can be used in place of fresh ginger, though it has a more concentrated flavor and should be used in smaller amounts.
ginger - Substitute with galangal: Galangal has a similar flavor profile to ginger with a slightly more citrusy and piney taste, making it a suitable alternative.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
Allow the beef stir fry to cool completely before storing. This helps maintain the texture and flavor of the vegetables and beef.
Transfer the cooled stir fry into an airtight container. For best results, use a container that minimizes air space to prevent freezer burn.
Label the container with the date of preparation. This ensures you keep track of its freshness and consume it within a safe period.
Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the stir fry within 3-4 days. This keeps the beef and vegetables fresh and flavorful.
For longer storage, place the container in the freezer. The beef stir fry can be frozen for up to 2-3 months without significant loss of quality.
When ready to reheat, thaw the frozen stir fry in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture of the vegetables and beef.
Reheat the stir fry in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. This method helps retain the stir fry's original texture and flavor.
Alternatively, you can reheat the stir fry in the microwave. Place it in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
Serve the reheated beef stir fry immediately with freshly steamed rice for a quick and delicious meal.
How to Reheat Leftovers
For the best results, reheat your beef stir fry in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a splash of vegetable oil to prevent sticking and to revive the flavors. Stir frequently for about 3-5 minutes until heated through.
If you prefer using a microwave, place your leftover stir fry in a microwave-safe dish. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap to retain moisture. Heat on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
For a more gentle reheating method, use an oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the stir fry evenly on a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
If you have a steamer, you can reheat your beef stir fry by placing it in a heatproof dish and steaming it for about 5-7 minutes. This method helps to retain the moisture and keeps the vegetables tender-crisp.
For those with an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the stir fry in the basket and heat for about 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating. This method can give a slight crispiness to the beef and vegetables.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Wok: A large, round-bottomed cooking vessel ideal for stir-frying ingredients quickly over high heat.
Mixing bowl: Used to combine the beef with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch.
Knife: Essential for slicing the beef sirloin, bell pepper, and onion.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping and slicing ingredients.
Garlic press: Handy for mincing garlic cloves efficiently.
Grater: Useful for mincing ginger if you don't want to do it by hand.
Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate measurement of soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and vegetable oil.
Spatula: Helps in stirring and tossing the ingredients in the wok.
Serving spoon: Used to serve the stir-fry onto plates or bowls.
Rice cooker: Convenient for making steamed rice to accompany the stir-fry.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prep ingredients ahead: Slice the beef, bell pepper, and onion in advance and store them in the fridge.
Use a hot wok: Ensure your wok is hot before adding ingredients to reduce cooking time.
Marinate early: Mix the beef with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch ahead of time to enhance flavor.
Batch cook: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick meal later.
Organize your workspace: Keep all ingredients and utensils within reach to streamline the cooking process.

Beef Stir Fry Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoon Soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
- 2 tablespoon Vegetable oil
- 1 Bell pepper, sliced
- 1 Onion, sliced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Ginger, minced
Instructions
- 1. In a bowl, mix beef with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch. Set aside.
- 2. Heat oil in a wok over high heat. Add garlic and ginger, stir-fry for 30 seconds.
- 3. Add beef and stir-fry until browned, about 3-4 minutes.
- 4. Add bell pepper and onion, stir-fry for another 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
- 5. Serve hot with steamed rice.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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