Beef stir fry features thinly sliced steak, a colorful mix of vegetables, and a simple homemade stir fry sauce. It’s a fast, flavorful weeknight meal—serve it over rice or toss with noodles to stretch the dish.
This steak stir fry is one of our regular go-tos. It works great for using up vegetables from the fridge or a bag of frozen mixed vegetables. The soy-based sauce brings bold savory flavor that ties everything together.
- Ingredients You Will Need
- Variations To Recipe
- How to Make
- FAQs
- More Beef Recipes
- Beef Stir Fry Recipe
- Stir Fry Sauce
This dinner is quick and low-effort—perfect for busy weeknights.
This Beef Stir Fry Recipe Is…
- Made with seasoned, tender steak
- Flexible—use any vegetables you like
- Simple prep
- Fast cooking time
- Full of flavor
- Meal-prep friendly
Ingredients You Will Need
Steak – Use an affordable, flavorful cut such as sirloin, flat iron, tri-tip, or top loin. Slice against the grain for maximum tenderness.
Sesame Seeds – Toasted sesame seeds add a nutty finish and crunch.
Oil – Use a high-heat oil like canola or vegetable for searing; sesame oil is used in the sauce for its aroma.
Seasonings – Chili powder and garlic powder are used here, but feel free to adjust to taste.
Soy Sauce – Regular or low-sodium soy sauce works. Coconut aminos can be used as a lower-sodium alternative.
Vegetables – Bell peppers, snap peas, and green onions are suggested. Substitute or add broccoli, zucchini, asparagus, or other favorites.
Lime – Fresh lime juice brightens the sauce and balances flavors.
Cornstarch and Water – A small cornstarch slurry thickens the sauce for a glossy finish.
Variations To Recipe
- Use any combination of vegetables: broccoli, asparagus, zucchini, carrots, etc.
- Swap the beef for diced chicken, pork, shrimp, or tofu to change the protein.
- Toss in cooked rice or noodles at the end to make it a single-pan meal.
- Use a store-bought stir fry or teriyaki sauce if you prefer convenience.
How to Make
The recipe card below contains full, printable step-by-step instructions. The summary here highlights the key steps.
Step One: Heat a large skillet over medium. Add sesame seeds and toast, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 2–4 minutes.
Step Two: Remove the seeds to a small bowl. Add 1 teaspoon canola or vegetable oil to the skillet and heat until shimmering.
Step Three: Pat steaks dry and season both sides with chili powder and garlic powder. Sear steaks in the hot skillet 4–5 minutes per side or until cooked to your liking.
Step Four: Remove the cooked steak and let it rest briefly, then slice into thin strips. In the same skillet, add the vegetables and sauté 2–5 minutes until crisp-tender.
Step Five: Whisk sesame oil, soy sauce, cornstarch, and cold water in a small bowl. Pour the mixture into the skillet and stir until the sauce thickens and coats the vegetables.
Step Six: Return the sliced steak to the pan and toss to combine. Finish with a squeeze of lime and the toasted sesame seeds, then serve.
You can slice the steak before cooking or cook it whole and slice afterward; both methods work.
Adjust the amount of soy sauce to taste—start with less if you prefer a milder, less salty sauce.
If you’re short on time, a store-bought stir fry sauce or teriyaki sauce will also work.
FAQs
Sirloin, tri-tip, flat iron, top loin, and similar cuts are excellent. Slice against the grain to keep the meat tender.
Olive oil is not ideal for high-heat stir-frying because it smokes and can burn. Use a neutral high-heat oil instead.
Use about 1–2 tablespoons of oil. The goal is to sear the meat and quickly cook the vegetables without excess oil.
Slice against the grain and optionally coat the slices lightly with cornstarch before frying. This helps create a tender, velvety texture.
More Beef Recipes
- Ground Beef Dorito Casserole
- Korean Beef
- Patty Melt Sliders
- Goulash
If you try this recipe, please leave a rating in the recipe card below or add a comment with your feedback. Enjoy!
Beef Stir Fry Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 4 ounce steaks
- 1 teaspoon canola oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 cups Snap Peas chopped
- 2 green onions diced
- 1 medium sweet bell pepper chopped
- 1 medium lime juiced
Stir Fry Sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cold water
Instructions
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Heat a large skillet over medium. When hot, add sesame seeds and toast until golden, 2–4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Remove toasted sesame seeds and add 1 teaspoon canola or vegetable oil to the skillet. Heat until shimmering.
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Pat steaks dry and season both sides with chili powder and garlic powder.
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Cook steaks in the hot skillet 4–5 minutes per side or until done to your preference. Remove and let rest.
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Sauté the diced vegetables in the same skillet 2–5 minutes until crisp-tender.
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Slice the steak into thin strips while the vegetables cook.
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Return the steak to the pan and stir to combine with the vegetables.
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Whisk sesame oil, cold water, cornstarch, and soy sauce. Pour into the pan and stir until the sauce thickens and coats everything.
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Plate the stir fry, top with toasted sesame seeds, and drizzle with lime juice if desired.
Notes
Vegetables – Mix and match vegetables you enjoy; broccoli, zucchini, and carrots are great options.
Soy Sauce – Substitute Coconut Aminos or low-sodium soy sauce if preferred.
Equipment
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1 Large Skillet
Nutrition
Calories: 47kcal
Carbohydrates: 5g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 2g
Sodium: 548mg
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