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
Scale
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.
