This Beef & Onion Stir-Fry is a quick and delicious dish that combines flank steak with sweet onions, cooked to perfection in a flavorful savory sauce. The tender beef is marinated and stir-fried with onions, creating a mouthwatering dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, this Chinese-inspired stir-fry can be on your table in under 30 minutes. Serve it over steamed rice for a complete meal.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Beef & Marinade:

• 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp oil (vegetable or canola)
• 1 tsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp water

For the Sauce:

• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tsp dark soy sauce
• 2 tsp ketchup
• 2 tsp oyster sauce
• ¼ tsp sugar
• ¼ tsp sesame oil
• ¼ cup water

For the Stir-Fry:

• 2 tbsp oil
• 10 oz small onions, sliced into wedges (about 3 small onions)

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, combine flank steak, baking soda, cornstarch, oil, oyster sauce, and water. Mix until the liquid is absorbed and let the beef marinate for 15 to 30 minutes.
2. In a separate bowl, mix the ingredients for the sauce: light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, ketchup, oyster sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and water. Set aside.
3. Heat a wok over high heat until smoking. Add 1 tbsp oil and spread the beef in a single layer. Sear the beef undisturbed for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then stir-fry for an additional 15-30 seconds until about 75% cooked. Remove from the wok and set aside.
4. In the same wok, add another 1 tbsp oil and stir-fry the onions until seared and slightly blistered for 60-90 seconds. Remove from the wok.
5. Add the prepared sauce to the wok and bring it to a simmer for 15 seconds. Stir in the beef and onions and cook for another 30 seconds.
6. Serve immediately over rice.

Nutrients

• Calories: 268 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 9g
• Protein: 26g
• Total Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Cholesterol: 68mg
• Sodium: 613mg
• Potassium: 513mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 4g

Tender, Flavorful Beef: The Star of the Dish

The key to any good stir-fry is the quality of the beef, and this recipe uses flank steak, a cut known for its tenderness and rich flavor when cooked correctly. By slicing the beef against the grain, you ensure each piece is incredibly tender, making each bite juicy and easy to chew. Marinating the beef in a mixture of baking soda, cornstarch, oyster sauce, and water helps to break down the fibers and tenderize the meat, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth experience.

The marinating process is simple yet essential. The baking soda works to tenderize the beef by drawing moisture to the surface, making the meat softer and juicier. The cornstarch helps to create a smooth texture by absorbing moisture and forming a light coating that prevents the beef from becoming too dry during the stir-fry. Oyster sauce adds a depth of umami, while the water ensures the marinade coats the beef evenly without becoming too thick.

Sweet Onions: A Perfect Complement to the Beef

Onions are the perfect counterpart to beef, bringing a natural sweetness and slight crispness to balance the rich, savory flavors of the meat. In this stir-fry, small onions, sliced into wedges, are stir-fried until they’re slightly blistered and seared. This quick cooking method enhances the onions’ natural sweetness while providing a satisfying texture that contrasts nicely with the tender beef. The onions absorb some of the savory sauce as they cook, making them a flavorful addition to every bite of the stir-fry.

The combination of onions and beef is a classic pairing in many Asian stir-fries, and it works particularly well in this dish, creating a flavor profile that’s both sweet and savory. The onions help to cut through the richness of the beef, ensuring the dish isn’t too heavy or greasy.

A Savory, Balanced Sauce: The Secret to Flavor

The sauce is where this dish truly shines. It’s made with a combination of light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, ketchup, oyster sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and water, creating a savory, slightly sweet, and well-balanced coating for the beef and onions. The light soy sauce adds a salty, umami base, while the dark soy sauce deepens the color and adds a slightly richer flavor. The ketchup introduces a subtle tanginess, while the oyster sauce amplifies the savory flavors. A touch of sugar helps to balance out the saltiness of the soy sauce and the richness of the oyster sauce, and the sesame oil adds a hint of nuttiness and depth.

This sauce is what ties the dish together, ensuring every ingredient is coated with a glossy, flavorful glaze that enhances the beef and onions without overwhelming them. The beauty of this stir-fry is that the sauce is simple to make, yet it packs a punch in terms of flavor, making it perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

Quick and Easy Cooking: The Stir-Fry Method

One of the most appealing aspects of this Beef & Onion Stir-Fry is how quickly it comes together. Stir-frying is a fast cooking method that retains the freshness and crispness of the ingredients, while also infusing them with intense flavors. The key to a great stir-fry is ensuring that the ingredients are cooked at high heat and for a short period of time, which helps maintain their texture and prevents them from becoming overcooked or soggy.

In this recipe, the beef is seared first, creating a flavorful crust on the outside while keeping the inside tender and juicy. After removing the beef from the wok, the onions are stir-fried until seared and slightly blistered, imparting a smoky flavor that complements the beef. Finally, the sauce is added to the wok, where it quickly comes to a simmer, coating the beef and onions in a rich, glossy finish.

This cooking method ensures that the dish is ready in under 30 minutes, making it the perfect option for those nights when you need a quick, satisfying meal but don’t want to compromise on flavor.

Healthy and Protein-Packed

This stir-fry is not only quick and easy, but it’s also high in protein thanks to the generous portion of flank steak. One serving of this dish provides around 26 grams of protein, making it an excellent choice for those looking to fuel their muscles after a workout or maintain their energy levels throughout the day. Protein is essential for muscle repair and growth, as well as for maintaining a healthy metabolism and immune system.

Additionally, the stir-fry is low in carbohydrates, with only 9 grams per serving. This makes it an ideal dish for those following a low-carb or ketogenic diet. By using flank steak and keeping the vegetable-to-meat ratio balanced, this dish provides a satisfying, protein-packed meal without the need for heavy starches like rice or noodles.

Versatility and Customization

The beauty of this dish is its versatility. While the recipe calls for flank steak and onions, you can easily customize it by adding other vegetables or adjusting the seasoning to suit your taste. Consider adding bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas for extra color and crunch. If you prefer a spicier version, you can increase the amount of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper in the sauce.

For a more balanced meal, this stir-fry pairs wonderfully with steamed rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice, providing a hearty base that complements the flavors of the beef and onions. You can also serve it as a topping for salads or wraps, making it a versatile addition to your meal prep rotation.

Conclusion: A Quick and Flavorful Meal for Any Occasion

The Beef & Onion Stir-Fry is the perfect solution for anyone looking for a quick, satisfying, and flavorful dinner. With its tender beef, sweet onions, and savory sauce, this dish brings together all the best elements of stir-fry cooking in one easy-to-make recipe. Whether you’re looking for a weeknight dinner, a meal prep option, or a dish to impress guests with, this stir-fry is sure to deliver.

By keeping the ingredients simple and using the stir-fry method, you can create a dish that’s rich in flavor and high in protein while keeping preparation time to a minimum. Whether served with rice, vegetables, or wrapped in lettuce, this dish is adaptable and customizable to suit any occasion or dietary preference.