Crispy Beef and Onion Stir Fry (Printable Version)
Tender crispy beef with sweet caramelized onions in a savory sauce, ready in 30 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
03 - 2 spring onions, sliced for garnish
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
→ Coating & Marinade
06 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
07 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
08 - 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
09 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
→ Sauce
11 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
12 - 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
13 - 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
14 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
15 - 2 tablespoons water
→ Oil
16 - 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
# How to Make It:
01 - Combine the sliced beef with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, white pepper, and cornstarch in a bowl. Mix thoroughly to ensure even coating. Allow the beef to marinate for at least 10 minutes to develop flavor and tenderize the meat.
02 - Whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and water in a small bowl until the sugar completely dissolves. Set the sauce aside until ready to use.
03 - Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Arrange the marinated beef in a single layer without overcrowding the pan. Sear for 2-3 minutes until the edges become crispy and the beef develops a golden-brown crust. Transfer the beef to a plate and reserve.
04 - Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the hot pan. Toss in the sliced onions, garlic, and ginger. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes over high heat until fragrant and the onions begin to caramelize slightly.
05 - Return the seared beef to the pan. Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetables. Toss everything together vigorously for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats all ingredients evenly.
06 - Remove from heat immediately. Sprinkle the sliced spring onions over the top as a garnish. Serve hot while the beef remains crispy, ideally accompanied by steamed jasmine rice.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The cornstarch coating creates restaurant style crispy beef without deep frying
- Whole meal comes together in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup
02 -
- Dont overcrowd the pan when searing the beef or it will steam instead of crisp
- Have all ingredients prepped before you start cooking once the heat is on everything moves fast
03 -
- Slice the beef when it's partially frozen for easier thin cutting
- Let your wok or skillet get properly hot before adding any ingredients