Name: Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 lb (450g) beef sirloin or flank steak – Thinly sliced against the grain for the most tender texture.; 2 large onions – Sliced into thin strips. Yellow or white onions work best here.; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil – For stir-frying. You can also use sesame oil for extra flavor.; 2 tablespoons soy sauce – The base of the sauce. Go for low-sodium if you’re watching your salt intake.; 1 tablespoon oyster sauce – This adds that rich umami flavor that’s a must in Chinese cooking.; 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce – A sweet, tangy sauce that balances out the saltiness.; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar – Adds a little acid to balance the flavors.; 2 cloves garlic – Minced for that aromatic kick.; 1-inch piece of ginger – Minced. Fresh ginger adds a wonderful warmth and spice.; 1 tablespoon cornstarch – To thicken the sauce slightly.; 1 tablespoon water – To dissolve the cornstarch and create a smooth sauce.; 1 teaspoon sesame oil – For finishing the stir fry and giving it that authentic flavor.; Optional garnish: Sliced green onions or sesame seeds for a fresh crunch.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb (450g) beef sirloin or flank steak – Thinly sliced against the grain for the most tender texture.
2 large onions – Sliced into thin strips. Yellow or white onions work best here.
2 tablespoons vegetable oil – For stir-frying. You can also use sesame oil for extra flavor.
2 tablespoons soy sauce – The base of the sauce. Go for low-sodium if you’re watching your salt intake.
1 tablespoon oyster sauce – This adds that rich umami flavor that’s a must in Chinese cooking.
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce – A sweet, tangy sauce that balances out the saltiness.
1 tablespoon rice vinegar – Adds a little acid to balance the flavors.
2 cloves garlic – Minced for that aromatic kick.
1-inch piece of ginger – Minced. Fresh ginger adds a wonderful warmth and spice.
1 tablespoon cornstarch – To thicken the sauce slightly.
1 tablespoon water – To dissolve the cornstarch and create a smooth sauce.
1 teaspoon sesame oil – For finishing the stir fry and giving it that authentic flavor.
Optional garnish: Sliced green onions or sesame seeds for a fresh crunch.

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Instructions

Prepare the Beef:
Start by thinly slicing the beef against the grain. This is key to ensuring that the beef is tender when it cooks. If you’re using flank steak, it’s easiest to slice if it’s slightly frozen, so pop it in the freezer for 20 minutes before cutting. Once sliced, set it aside.
Slice the Onions:
While the beef is resting, slice the onions into thin strips. This will allow them to cook evenly and caramelize beautifully when stir-fried.
Make the Sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and cornstarch. Add water to dissolve the cornstarch. This mixture will become the rich, flavorful sauce that coats everything.
Stir-Fry the Beef:
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the beef in a single layer. Let it sear for about 2-3 minutes, undisturbed, to get a nice brown color. Then stir-fry the beef for another 2-3 minutes until it’s just cooked through but still tender. Remove the beef from the pan and set it aside.
Cook the Onions:
In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Toss in the sliced onions and stir-fry them for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften. You want them to get golden brown and slightly caramelized, but still with a little crunch.
Combine and Sauce:
Once the onions are ready, return the beef to the pan. Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and onions, and stir to coat everything evenly. Let it cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld together.
Finish with Sesame Oil:
Drizzle in the sesame oil for that final touch of authentic flavor. Stir everything together, then remove from heat.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4
Calories: 350
Fat: 18g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 25g