Beef Stir Fry – The Ultimate Quick and Flavorful Dinner

After a long day when you’re staring into the refrigerator wondering what to make for dinner, beef stir fry is the answer you’ve been searching for. This vibrant, flavor-packed dish combines tender strips of beef with crisp, colorful vegetables in a savory-sweet sauce that coats every bite perfectly. What makes this beef stir fry special is how it transforms simple ingredients into an impressive meal in less than 30 minutes.

The sizzle of thinly sliced beef hitting a hot pan, the aromatic blend of garlic and ginger, and the rainbow of vegetables create a sensory experience that makes this easy beef stir fry recipe a weeknight hero. Whether you’re cooking for your family or meal prepping for the week ahead, this versatile dish delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love This Beef Stir Fry

• ✅ Quick beef stir fry dinner ideas perfect for busy weeknights – ready in just 20 minutes!
• ✅ Easy beef stir fry with vegetables that helps you pack in your daily nutrients
• ✅ The beef stir fry sauce homemade component elevates the flavor beyond takeout
• ✅ Makes excellent healthy beef stir fry meal prep that stays fresh for days

Ingredients for Beef Stir Fry

• 1 lb flank steak (sliced into thin strips, 1/4″-1/2″ thick and 2.5-3″ in length)
• 2 cups broccoli florets, cut small
• 1 cup snow peas
• 1 large bell pepper (I use half red and half yellow for color)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
• Green onions (optional, for garnish; sliced)
• 1/2 cup coconut aminos (or low sodium soy sauce for non-gluten-free option)
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp fresh ginger (grated or minced)
• 2 tbsp honey (sugar-free or regular works)
• For the most tender beef stir fry, partially freeze your meat for 20 minutes before slicing
• Looking for spicy beef stir fry with bell peppers? Add 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha to the sauce
• For gluten-free beef stir fry options, stick with coconut aminos instead of regular soy sauce
• Meal prepping? This recipe is perfect for healthy beef stir fry meal prep

How to Make Beef Stir Fry – Step by Step

1. Slice your flank steak against the grain into thin strips
2. Cut broccoli into small florets
3. Trim the ends off snow peas
4. Slice bell peppers into thin strips
5. Mince garlic and ginger
6. Slice green onions for garnish
7. In a small bowl, combine coconut aminos (or soy sauce), lime juice, minced garlic, grated ginger, and honey
8. Whisk thoroughly until honey is completely dissolved
9. Set aside while you prepare the stir fry
10. Heat a large wok or skillet over high heat until very hot
11. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil
12. Add the beef strips in a single layer (work in batches if necessary)
13. Season with half the salt and pepper
14. Cook for 2-3 minutes, turning once, until just browned but not fully cooked
15. Remove beef to a plate and set aside
16. In the same pan, add remaining tablespoon of oil
17. Add broccoli and stir fry for 2 minutes
18. Add bell peppers and snow peas
19. Season with remaining salt and pepper
20. Stir fry for another 2-3 minutes until vegetables are bright and crisp-tender
21. Return beef to the pan with the vegetables
22. Pour the prepared sauce over everything
23. Toss everything together and cook for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly
24. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions

Pro Tips

• High heat is essential for authentic beef stir fry – don’t be afraid to let your pan get smoking hot
• Slice meat against the grain for the most tender beef stir fry – look for the lines in the meat and cut perpendicular to them
• For the best one-pan beef stir fry with rice, prepare rice in advance or use pre-cooked rice packets
• Create spicy beef stir fry with bell peppers by adding red pepper flakes or a dollop of chili paste
• The best beef stir fry for busy weeknights includes prep ahead – slice your meat and veggies in the morning or the night before

Best Ways to Serve

This versatile beef stir fry pairs well with so many sides:

• Steamed white or brown rice for a classic combination
• Cauliflower rice for a low-carb beef stir fry option
• Rice noodles or zucchini noodles for variety
• Serve in lettuce cups for a fun, hand-held option
• For an authentic touch, pair with a simple miso soup

Nutritional Information

This healthy beef stir fry meal prep option delivers excellent nutrition:

• Calories: 320 per serving
• Protein: 24g
• Carbs: 18g
• Fat: 16g
• Fiber: 4g

Values are approximate and based on the recipe as written, without rice or additional sides.

Storage & Leftovers

This beef stir fry makes excellent leftovers:

• Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days
• For best healthy beef stir fry meal prep, store the stir fry separate from rice
• Reheat in a skillet for 3-4 minutes until just warmed through
• Not recommended for freezing as vegetables may become soggy

Frequently Asked Questions

What vegetables go well in beef stir fry?

Almost any vegetables work in beef stir fry! Besides broccoli, bell peppers, and snow peas, try adding mushrooms, carrots, bok choy, water chestnuts, baby corn, or sugar snap peas. The key is cutting them to similar sizes so they cook evenly.

How do you make beef tender in beef stir fry?

For tender meat in your beef stir fry, slice flank steak against the grain into thin strips. Partially freezing the meat for 20 minutes makes slicing easier. Avoid overcooking – a quick sear on high heat keeps the beef juicy and tender.

What sauce is best for beef stir fry?

The best beef stir fry sauce homemade version combines soy sauce or coconut aminos with something sweet (honey or brown sugar), something acidic (lime juice or vinegar), aromatics (garlic and ginger), and optional thickeners like cornstarch. Adjust ingredients to create your perfect flavor profile.

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