If you’re craving a dish that is bursting with flavor, quick to whip up, and incredibly satisfying, this Beef Onion Stir-fry Recipe is exactly the kind of meal you want in your weeknight rotation. Tender slices of flank steak marry beautifully with sweet, lightly blistered onions, all enveloped in a rich, savory sauce that dances between salty, sweet, and umami notes. The balance of textures and flavors is fantastic, making this stir-fry a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that you’ll find yourself coming back to time and after time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Beef Onion Stir-fry Recipe is carefully chosen to build layers of authentic flavor and satisfying texture. The simplicity is part of its charm; every element plays an essential part in creating the dish’s perfect harmony.
- Flank steak: Thinly sliced against the grain to ensure tenderness after cooking.
- Baking soda: Helps tenderize the beef for a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
- Cornstarch: Creates a light coating that captures the marinade and adds slight crispness during searing.
- Neutral oil (vegetable or canola): For cooking without overpowering the dish.
- Oyster sauce: Adds a rich, savory depth and subtle sweetness to the marinade and sauce.
- Water: Helps blend and thin the sauces for that perfect glaze.
- Light soy sauce: Provides salty, umami flavor while keeping the color light.
- Dark soy sauce: Gives the stir-fry a deep color and intensified flavor.
- Ketchup: A surprising but perfect ingredient for subtle tang and sweetness that balances the salty soy.
- Sugar: Enhances the natural sweetness and rounds out the sauce.
- Sesame oil: Adds nutty aroma and richness for that classic stir-fry finish.
- Small onions: Sliced into wedges, they caramelize quickly and bring a touch of sweetness with texture.
How to Make Beef Onion Stir-fry Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the Beef
Start by combining your thinly sliced flank steak with baking soda, cornstarch, a teaspoon of oil, oyster sauce, and water. This simple marinade not only infuses your beef with flavor but also tenderizes it, which makes every bite wonderfully soft and juicy after cooking. Letting it sit for at least 15 minutes—up to 30 if you can wait—will make a noticeable difference.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
While your beef soaks in all those flavors, mix together the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, ketchup, oyster sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and water. This sauce is the heartbeat of your Beef Onion Stir-fry Recipe, marrying sweet, salty, and umami notes that bring the dish alive.
Step 3: Cook the Beef
Heat your wok over high heat until it starts to smoke slightly—that high heat is key for getting a good sear. Add one tablespoon of oil and spread the beef slices in a single layer. Let the meat brown undisturbed for up to one minute, then stir-fry briefly until about 75% cooked. Remove the beef and set it aside—this technique locks in juices and flavor.
Step 4: Sear the Onions
Next, add another tablespoon of oil to the wok and toss in those beautifully sliced onions. Stir-fry the onions rapidly until they show a slight blister and a gorgeous sear, about 60 to 90 seconds. This quick cooking keeps them slightly crisp but also brings out their natural sweet flavor. Remove the onions and set them aside with the beef.
Step 5: Combine and Finish
Pour the prepared sauce into your hot wok and bring it to a simmer—this quick cooking allows the flavors to concentrate. After 15 seconds, return the beef and onions to the wok and stir everything together for about 30 seconds so that every piece is glossy and coated in that delicious sauce. This step ties all the flavors together beautifully and ensures nothing dries out.
How to Serve Beef Onion Stir-fry Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped green onions or a handful of toasted sesame seeds adds a pop of freshness and texture to the dish. Both garnishes heighten the flavor profile and make the presentation visually appealing, elevating your Beef Onion Stir-fry Recipe to next-level deliciousness.
Side Dishes
The natural partner to this rich stir-fry is a bed of fluffy steamed rice—the perfect sponge for soaking up that irresistible sauce. You could also try it over buttery noodles or alongside a crisp cucumber salad for some refreshing contrast. Any of these sides will complete the meal without overshadowing the main attraction.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the stir-fry in individual lettuce cups for a light, fresh bite. Or plate it on a large platter with garnish arranged artfully for family-style sharing. These small tweaks can transform your Beef Onion Stir-fry Recipe into a fancy dinner or a casual weekday feast that everyone will remember.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftover Beef Onion Stir-fry Recipe comfortably in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors develop even more as it rests, making cold or reheated portions surprisingly tasty.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, this dish freezes well. Just cool it completely, transfer to a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to one month. Keep in mind the onions might soften a bit more after freezing, but the taste remains wonderful.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm your stir-fry in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. Adding a splash of water or broth can help loosen the sauce if it has thickened in the fridge. Avoid microwaving if possible to help maintain the texture of the beef.
FAQs
Can I use other cuts of beef for this Beef Onion Stir-fry Recipe?
Absolutely! While flank steak is ideal for its texture and flavor, you can also use skirt steak or sirloin sliced thinly. Just make sure to cut against the grain to keep it tender.
What can I substitute for oyster sauce if I don’t have any?
If you’re out of oyster sauce, you can try hoisin sauce for a sweeter touch or a combination of soy sauce with a bit of mushroom sauce or Worcestershire to mimic the umami depth.
Is it possible to make a vegetarian version of this recipe?
Yes! Swap the flank steak for firm tofu or mushrooms like shiitake or portobello, and use vegetarian oyster sauce or soy sauce-based alternatives to keep that rich, savory flavor.
How thin should the beef slices be for the best results?
Thinly slicing the beef about 1/8 inch thick ensures it cooks quickly and stays tender when stir-fried. If the slices are too thick, the beef might become tough or unevenly cooked.
Can I prepare any parts of the Beef Onion Stir-fry Recipe ahead of time?
Definitely! Marinate the beef in advance and prepare the sauce mix ahead of time. This will greatly cut down on cooking time during your busy evenings.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly comforting about the simplicity and depth of this Beef Onion Stir-fry Recipe. Between the tender beef, sweet caramelized onions, and the luscious sauce, every mouthful is a delight. Trust me, once you try it, it will become one of your favorite easy dinners to whip up and share with those you love.
Print
Beef Onion Stir-fry Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
A quick and flavorful Beef Onion Stir-fry recipe featuring tender flank steak marinated and seared to perfection, paired with sweet-slightly blistered onions and a savory soy-based sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner served over rice.
Ingredients
Beef Marinade
- 1 pound flank steak (thinly sliced against the grain)
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon neutral oil (vegetable or canola)
- 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon water
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons ketchup
- 2 teaspoons oyster sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 cup water
Vegetables and Cooking Oil
- 2 tablespoons oil (divided)
- 10 ounces small onions (sliced into wedges; about 3 small onions)
Instructions
- Marinate the Beef: In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced flank steak with baking soda, cornstarch, 1 teaspoon oil, 1 teaspoon oyster sauce, and 1 tablespoon water. Mix well until the marinade is absorbed, then let it sit for at least 15 minutes or up to 30 minutes to tenderize and flavor the meat.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, ketchup, oyster sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and 1/4 cup water. Set this mixture aside.
- Sear the Beef: Heat a wok over high heat until it starts to smoke. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and spread the marinated beef in a single layer. Let it sear undisturbed for 30 seconds to 1 minute until browned, then stir-fry for another 15-30 seconds until the beef is about 75% cooked. Remove the beef from the wok and set aside.
- Cook the Onions: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the wok and toss in the sliced onions. Stir-fry on high heat for 60-90 seconds until the onions are seared and slightly blistered, then remove them from the wok.
- Simmer the Sauce and Combine: Pour the prepared sauce into the wok and bring it to a simmer over high heat. Let it simmer for 15 seconds before adding back the beef and onions. Stir everything together for about 30 seconds to heat through and marry the flavors.
- Serve: Serve the beef and onion stir-fry hot over a bed of steamed rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- For best results, slice the flank steak thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness.
- Be careful not to overcook the beef during the stir-fry process to keep it juicy.
- You can substitute small sweet onions with pearl onions or red onions if preferred.
- Adjust the amount of soy sauce and sugar in the sauce to taste depending on your preference for saltiness and sweetness.
- This dish pairs excellently with steamed jasmine or basmati rice.
