Easy Beef Stir Fry

This easy beef stir fry is ready in less than 30 minutes. It's a healthier version of beef stir fry that's tossed in a sweet, teriyaki-inspired sauce.

About The Recipe

This recipe is perfect as a busy weeknight dinner or if you're craving takeout but want to make a healthier version at home. It's full of fresh vegetables and tender beef, all tossed in a flavorful, sweet sauce.

Easy Beef Stir Fry Ingredients

The full recipe is at the bottom of this page, but here’s a quick overview of what you'll need:

• Flank steak (or sirloin): you can buy but this pre-cut or slice it yourself. Slice it very thinly against the grain at an angle. Use flank steak or a tender cut of beef (more info below).
• Sesame oil: you can also use olive oil.
• Red bell pepper: remove the seeds & thinly slice 1 red bell pepper
• Large carrot: carrot adds a nice crunch to this recipe; use 1 large one or 2 medium ones
• Broccoli florets: a classic addition to beef stir fry, you'll need 1 cup broccoli florets
• Red pepper flakes: these are optional but highly recommended! The spice of the red pepper flakes is delicious with the sweetness of the sauce.

For the sauce: 

• Ginger + garlic: a traditional combination that adds depth of flavor
• Soy sauce: or substitute coconut aminos for gluten-free
• Honey: 2 tablespoons of honey make this into a sweet sauce
• Rice vinegar: this balances out the sweetness of the honey
• Hoisin sauce: adds flavor & thickness to the sauce. This recipe uses no cornstarch, so the thickness of the sauce comes from the hoisin & honey

How to Make Easy Beef Stir Fry

This recipe has just a few simple steps. First, you'll cook the beef, then the vegetables, then add in the sauce (the sauce cooks separately).

What Type of Beef is Best for a Stir Fry?

Tender cuts of meat are best. Examples include flank steak, sirloin, tenderloin, or flat iron (what I used). You can buy these pre-cut or slice them yourself.

Tips & Tricks for The Recipe

• How to thicken your sauce: your sauce should thicken as it simmers. If it's not thickening, let it simmer for a couple minutes more. It will also thicken more once removed from the heat.
• How to cut your beef: you can buy pre-cut beef or slice it yourself. To slice it yourself, slice it very thinly against the grain and at an angle.
• Don't overcook the beef: your beef will be very thinly sliced so it will cook quickly. After about 2 minutes cooking on each side and completely browned, check your beef for doneness.

Recipe Variations & Substitutions

• Vegetables: you can swap out the vegetables in this recipe for 4 cups of your favorites (broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, snap peas, and green onions are all popular choices).
• Cornstarch: this recipe uses no cornstarch; but if you'd like to make a thicker sauce with it, combine 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 3 teaspoons water and add it to your sauce after it boils.
• For serving: there are a few options for how you serve this stir fry. You can eat it alone or over white rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice, quinoa, or noodles.

How to Store Beef Stir Fry

• In the fridge: store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• In the freezer: store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

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