Sizzling Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry Recipe in 20 Minutes

Chinese beef and onion stir fry offers a tantalizing journey through vibrant Asian culinary traditions.

Sizzling wok techniques elevate ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience that awakens the senses.

The harmonious blend of savory meat and caramelized vegetables creates a symphony of robust flavors and textures.

Marinated beef becomes incredibly tender when quickly cooked at high temperatures, ensuring a mouthwatering result.

Traditional seasonings enhance the natural richness of each ingredient, elevating this classic dish beyond simple home cooking.

Regional spices and techniques contribute depth and complexity to this seemingly straightforward recipe.

Each forkful promises a delightful balance of umami, sweetness, and subtle aromatic undertones.

Helpful Hints for a Perfect Stir Fry

• Slice Precisely: Cut beef against the grain into thin, uniform slices to ensure tender, easy-to-chew meat that absorbs marinade quickly.
• Marinate Smartly: Let beef sit in the soy sauce mixture for exactly 15 minutes to maximize flavor absorption without breaking down meat texture.
• Control Heat Carefully: Use high heat when searing beef to create a delicious caramelized exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
• Layer Aromatics Strategically: Sauté ginger first, then garlic, and finally onions to build a deep, complex flavor foundation for the stir fry.
• Sauce Consistency Magic: Stir cornstarch mixture thoroughly to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, glossy sauce that coats ingredients perfectly.

Storing Beef & Onion Stir Fry the Smart Way

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover beef and onion stir fry into an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the rice separate to prevent soggy texture.
• Microwave Reheating: Place stir fry in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to maintain moisture, and cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming. Check the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Stovetop Reheating: Warm a skillet over medium heat with a tiny splash of oil.

What Works Well on the Side of This Stir Fry

• Pair with Bright White Wine: A crisp Riesling or Gewürztraminer cuts through the rich beef flavors, balancing the savory stir fry with its subtle sweetness and aromatic profile.
• Match with Craft Beer Companion: A hoppy pale ale or amber lager complements the umami-packed beef, enhancing the dish's depth while providing a refreshing counterpoint to the intense stir fry seasonings.
• Serve Alongside Jasmine Rice: Fluffy, fragrant jasmine rice absorbs the delicious sauce perfectly, creating a harmonious base that elevates the beef and onion stir fry's complex flavor layers.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped cilantro or Thai basil on top to add a bright, herbal note that lifts the entire dish and provides a fresh contrast to the rich, hearty meat.

Mix It Up with These Stir Fry Twists

• Spicy Chili Beef Blast: Replace oyster sauce with chili garlic sauce and add crushed red pepper flakes for a fiery kick that elevates the traditional recipe with extra heat.
• Ginger Garlic Power Punch: Double the amount of ginger and garlic, incorporating fresh minced ginger root and roasted garlic to create a more intense aromatic profile that deepens the overall flavor complexity.
• Mushroom Beef Enrichment: Introduce sliced shiitake or button mushrooms during the stir-frying process, which adds earthy undertones and additional texture to the classic beef and onion combination.
• Vegetable Enhanced Edition: Include julienned bell peppers, carrots, and snap peas to boost nutritional value and create a more colorful, vibrant stir-fry that maintains the core essence of the original recipe.

What Everyone Loves About This Stir Fry

• Savor Quick Flavor Explosion: This Chinese beef and onion stir fry delivers restaurant-quality taste in just 15 minutes, blending rich umami flavors with tender meat and aromatic spices that dance on your palate.
• Master Easy Restaurant-Style Cooking: Home cooks can effortlessly recreate authentic Chinese cuisine using simple techniques like marinating beef, creating complex sauces, and quickly stir-frying ingredients at high heat for professional-level results.
• Nutrition-Packed Protein Power Meal: Packed with 32 grams of protein, low in carbohydrates, and featuring lean beef, this dish provides a balanced nutritional profile perfect for fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious eaters seeking delicious, satisfying meals.
• Versatile One-Pan Wonder: Using a single wok minimizes cleanup, allows layering of flavors through strategic cooking stages, and provides a complete meal that pairs perfectly with steamed rice for a complete, hassle-free dining experience.

Ingredient Essentials for This Beef Stir Fry

• Beef: Tender, well-marbled cut sliced against the grain for quick, even cooking. Choose sirloin or flank steak for best texture.

• Onion, Garlic, Ginger: Classic Chinese stir fry base that provides deep, layered flavor profile. Fresh ingredients give the most vibrant taste.
• Green Onions: Adds fresh, mild onion flavor and bright color as final garnish.

• Soy Sauce, Dark Soy Sauce: Essential for bringing umami and rich color to the dish. Low sodium version works well for health-conscious cooking.
• Shaoxing Wine: Traditional Chinese cooking wine that adds complex depth. Rice wine can be substituted if unavailable.
• Oyster Sauce, Hoisin Sauce: Sweet and savory condiments that create restaurant-style flavor complexity.
• Sesame Oil: Provides nutty, aromatic finish to the stir fry.
• Sugar: Balances the salty and savory elements in the sauce.
• Cornstarch: Used for marinating beef and thickening sauce, ensuring glossy, smooth texture.
• Water: Helps create proper sauce consistency and prevents burning.

Quick and Easy Stir Fry Cooking Guide

Step 1: Prepare Vegetables

• Slice onion into thin strips
• Mince garlic finely
• Cut ginger into thin slices
• Chop green onions into 2-inch segments

Step 2: Marinate Beef

• Soy sauce
• Shaoxing wine
• Water
• Sesame oil

Cut beef against the grain into thin slices. Mix marinade ingredients in a bowl. Submerge beef in marinade for 15 minutes. Drain beef and coat with cornstarch mixed with a touch of oil.

Step 3: Create Flavor Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Cornstarch
• Sugar
• Oyster sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Sesame oil
• Shaoxing wine
• Dark soy sauce
• Water

Whisk all sauce ingredients together until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Sear Beef

Heat oil in a wok over high heat. Cook marinated beef for 2-4 minutes until nearly done. Remove beef from wok and set aside.

Step 5: Sauté Vegetables and Combine

In the same wok, sauté ginger first, then add garlic and onions. Cook until vegetables soften. Pour in prepared sauce and stir until thickened. Return beef and green onions to the wok. Toss everything together.

Step 6: Serve Hot

Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Transfer stir fry to a serving plate. Serve immediately with steamed rice.

Chinese Beef And Onion Stir Fry Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Sizzling Chinese beef and onion stir fry delivers a flavor-packed journey through authentic Asian cuisine. Tender strips of marinated beef dance with caramelized onions, creating a quick, irresistible meal that brings restaurant-quality excitement directly to your kitchen.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 300 grams (10.6 ounces) sirloin steak
• 1 stalk green onion, cut into 2-inch pieces

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 0.5 white onion (or yellow onion), thinly sliced
• 4 to 5 slices ginger
• 3 cloves garlic, minced or thinly sliced

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
• 0.5 tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine (or dry sherry/rice wine)
• 0.5 tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine (or rice wine)
• 0.25 teaspoon dark soy sauce (for color; substitute with regular if necessary)
• 1.5 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 0.5 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water
• 0.5 cup water for the sauce

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Instructions

1. Slice the onion into delicate, translucent ribbons. Mince the garlic with precision and julienne the ginger. Chop green onions into 2-inch diagonal segments.
2. Carefully slice the beef against the grain into paper-thin strips. Create a marinade combining soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, water, and sesame oil. Immerse beef in this liquid for 15 minutes, then dust with cornstarch mixed with a touch of vegetable oil.
3. Craft the sauce by whisking soy sauce with cornstarch until silky. Incorporate sugar, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, Shaoxing wine, dark soy sauce, and water.
4. Ignite a wok with oil over intense heat. Sear the marinated beef for 2-3 minutes until barely cooked, then transfer to a holding plate.
5. In the same wok, quickly sauté ginger for 30 seconds. Add garlic and onions, stirring vigorously until they become translucent and fragrant. Pour the prepared sauce, allowing it to bubble and thicken.
6. Reintroduce the beef and green onions to the wok, tossing swiftly to ensure even coating and heating. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until everything is piping hot and glistening.
7. Plate the stir fry immediately alongside steamed jasmine rice, garnishing with extra green onion snippets if desired.

Notes

• Marinate beef slices in a blend of soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and sesame oil for maximum flavor infusion.
• Slice onions, garlic, and ginger with precision to ensure even cooking and balanced texture.
• Coat beef with cornstarch before searing to create a crispy exterior that locks in juicy tenderness.
• Develop a complex sauce using multiple Asian condiments for depth and richness.
• Quickly stir-fry ingredients on high heat to maintain their vibrant colors and fresh taste.
• Serve hot over steamed rice for a complete and satisfying meal that brings restaurant-quality flavors home.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 370 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg