Tender slices of beef are marinated in a savory mixture of mushroom-flavored dark soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, cornstarch, and garlic powder before being stir-fried with a medley of colorful peppers, onions, and ginger.
Topped off with a spicy sauce made with oyster sauce, sweet chili sauce, and brown sugar, this dish packs a punch of flavor that will satisfy your taste buds. So fire up your wok and get ready to enjoy a delicious and spicy stir-fry in no time!
What is Spicy Beef stir-fry?
Spicy Beef Stir Fry is a dish from Chinese cuisine and consists of thinly sliced beef that's stir-fried with a mixture of vegetables and a spicy sauce. The beef is typically marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, wine, cornstarch, and spices, which helps tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor.
The vegetables used in the dish can vary but commonly include peppers, onions, and ginger. The spicy sauce is made with oyster sauce, chili sauce, and brown sugar, adding a savory and spicy kick to the dish. Spicy Beef Stir Fry is a popular and easy-to-make meal perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Note: The full ingredients list is provided in the recipe card below.
For the Marinade:
Beef sirloin or another tender cut sliced into 5 mm thick pieces, cut against the grain: The beef is the main protein in the dish and is sliced thinly to ensure that it cooks quickly and stays tender.
Shaoxing wine: Shaoxing wine is a type of Chinese rice wine that adds flavor to the marinade and helps to tenderize the beef.
Cornstarch: Cornstarch thickens the marinade and helps create a slightly crispy texture on the beef when stir-fried.
Garlic powder:The garlic powder adds a subtle flavor to the beef.
For the Spicy Sauce:
Oyster sauce: The oyster sauce is a thick, savory sauce that adds a rich flavor to the dish.
Sweet Chili Sauce or 5 fresh birds-eye chiles or 5 dried red chiles, halved: The sweet chili sauce or chili peppers add heat to the dish and give it a spicy kick.
Light brown sugar:The sugar balances out the saltiness and spiciness of the dish.
Water: The water is used to thin out the sauce and make mixing with the stir-fry ingredients easier.
For the Stir-fry:
Extra virgin olive oil, peanut oil, or canola oil: The oil is used for stir-frying the beef and vegetables and helps to create a slightly crispy texture on the outside of the beef.
Ginger, finely minced: The ginger adds a fresh, aromatic flavor to the dish.
Onion, chopped: The onion adds a sweet and slightly caramelized flavor.
Poblano or green bell pepper, chopped: The pepper adds a slightly sweet and spicy flavor.
A red bell pepper, chopped: The red bell pepper adds a sweet and slightly tangy flavor to the dish.
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
Mix well with the steak, dark soy sauce, garlic powder, and Shaoxing wine in a medium-sized bowl. Add cornstarch and mix until the beef is evenly coated. Set aside and allow to marinate for 10 to 15 minutes
Combine oyster sauce, all-purpose chili garlic sauce, sugar, and water in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside. (If you don't have sweet chili garlic sauce on hand, add 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce extra and add 5 fresh birds-eye chiles or 5 dried red chiles, halved).
Heat a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat until hot. Add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Add beef and spread it over the bottom of the wok with a wooden spatula.
Let it cook for 1 to 2 minutes without stirring. Flip with a spatula. Stir and cook until the surface turns dark brown, but the inside is still raw.
Turn to the lowest heat and immediately transfer to a plate. Add the remaining ½ tablespoon oil and ginger into the same wok. Turn back to medium-high heat (high heat on an electric stove).
Stir a few times until fragrant. Add onion. Stir and cook until soft, about 1 minute. Add bell pepper, stir, and cook for 30 seconds until it's half-cooked. Add beef back into the wok. Remix the sauce and pour it over top of the beef and vegetables.
Immediately stir the Spicy Beef Stir Fry to mix everything well for a minute until the Spicy Beef Stir Fry is cooked through. Turn off the heat and directly transfer everything to a plate. Serve over white rice.
Looking for a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that's perfect for any night of the week? Look no further than this Spicy Beef Stir Fry recipe! Tender slices of beef are marinated in a savory mixture of mushroom-flavored dark soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, cornstarch, and garlic powder before being stir-fried with a medley of colorful peppers, onions, and ginger.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the steak, dark soy sauce, garlic powder, and Shaoxing wine, and mix well. Add cornstarch and mix until the beef is evenly coated. Set aside and allow to marinate for 10 to 15 minutes
In a small-sized bowl, combine oyster sauce, all-purpose chili garlic sauce, sugar, and water. Mix well and set aside. (If you don't have sweet chili garlic sauce on hand, add 2 tablespoons oyster sauce extra and add
5 fresh birds-eye chiles or 5 dried red chiles, halved).
Heat a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat until hot. Add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan.
Add beef and spread it over the bottom of the wok with a wooden spatula. Let it cook for 1 to 2 minutes without stirring. Flip with a spatula. Stir and cook until the surface turns dark brown, but the inside is still raw. Turn to the lowest heat and immediately transfer to a plate.
Add the remaining ½ tablespoon oil and ginger into the same wok. Turn back to medium-high heat (high heat on an electric stove). Stir a few times until fragrant. Add onion. Stir and cook until soft, about 1 minute.
Add bell pepper and stir and cook for 30 seconds until it's half-cooked through. Add beef back into the wok. Remix the sauce and pour it over top of the beef and vegetables.
Immediately stir the Spicy Beef Stir Fry to mix everything well for a minute until the Spicy Beef Stir Fry is cooked through. Turn off the heat and directly transfer everything to a plate. Serve over white rice.
Notes
How to Store & Re-Heat
To store: Spicy Beef Stir Fry, allow it to cool down to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container or sealable plastic bag. Place it in the refrigerator and store it for 3-4 days.
To reheat: You have a couple of options. For stovetop reheating, heat a nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat, add a small amount of oil, and stir-fry the refrigerated stir fry for a few minutes until heated. Alternatively, for microwave reheating, transfer a portion of the stir fry to a microwave-safe dish, cover it, and heat it in 1-minute intervals, stirring between intervals until thoroughly heated.
Make-AheadTo make the Beef Stir Fry ahead of time, you can prepare the marinade and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Slice the beef and marinate it according to the instructions, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. You can also pre-chop the ginger, onion, and bell peppers and store them in separate containers in the fridge. When you're ready to cook, heat the skillet or wok, follow the steps for stir-frying the beef and vegetables, and mix in the prepared spicy sauce.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Easy Spicy Beef Stir Fry
Amount per Serving
Calories
100
% Daily Value*
Fat
5
g
8
%
Saturated Fat
1
g
6
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.5
g
Monounsaturated Fat
3
g
Cholesterol
21
mg
7
%
Sodium
162
mg
7
%
Potassium
185
mg
5
%
Carbohydrates
5
g
2
%
Fiber
1
g
4
%
Sugar
3
g
3
%
Protein
9
g
18
%
Vitamin A
347
IU
7
%
Vitamin C
21
mg
25
%
Calcium
13
mg
1
%
Iron
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided is an estimate, calculated using standard data sources. Actual values may vary based on ingredient brands, preparation methods, and portion sizes. This information is for general reference only and should not be considered a substitute for professional dietary advice.
