Description
A small-batch, 20-minute sesame garlic beef stir fry designed for one or two people. It features tender beef velveted with cornstarch, a balanced pantry-friendly sauce, and crisp vegetables, ensuring zero food waste and restaurant-quality texture.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz flank steak or sirloin, sliced against the grain into thin strips
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (divided)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons water
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- 2 cups broccoli florets, bite-sized
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced
- Steamed rice or noodles for serving
- White sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Slice the flank steak against the grain into thin strips. Place in a bowl, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon cornstarch, and toss to coat evenly. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, water, minced garlic, and minced ginger until the sugar is dissolved. Taste and adjust if needed.
- Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and wait until it shimmers and just starts to smoke.
- Add beef in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding). Sear for 1-2 minutes without moving too much to form a crust, flip, and cook for another minute until browned but slightly pink inside. Remove beef and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium-high. Add a splash of oil if needed. Toss in broccoli and bell pepper. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp and slightly charred.
- Return beef and any juices to the pan with the vegetables. Pour the sauce over everything.
- Toss constantly for 1-2 minutes until the sauce bubbles, thickens, and coats the beef and veggies glossy.
- Turn off heat and serve immediately over steamed rice, topped with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
Slice beef against the grain to ensure tenderness. Use high heat to sear the beef rather than steam it. Fresh garlic and ginger are recommended over jarred or powdered versions for best flavor. The cornstarch helps velveting the beef and thickening the sauce. For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 of the recipe
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 28
Keywords: sesame garlic beef stir fry, small batch recipe, quick weeknight dinner, beef stir fry for two, easy stir fry, gluten-free option