Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry! Tender beef, sweet onions, and a savory sauce make this a perfect go-to weeknight dinner.
🥢 Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry
Tender beef, caramelized onions, and a rich umami sauce — better than takeout in 20 minutes!
📝 Ingredients (Serves 2–3)
For the Beef:
½ lb (225g) beef flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp vegetable oil
Optional: ½ tsp baking soda (for extra tenderness)
For the Stir-Fry:
1 large onion, sliced into wedges
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp vegetable oil
Stir-Fry Sauce:
2 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
½ tsp sugar
1 tsp cornstarch
2 tbsp water
Optional: a dash of white pepper or sesame oil
👩🍳 Instructions:
Marinate the beef:
Mix sliced beef with soy sauce, cornstarch, oil (and baking soda if using). Let it sit for 10–15 minutes.
Mix the sauce:
In a small bowl, stir together all sauce ingredients. Set aside.
Cook the beef:
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a hot wok or pan. Stir-fry beef for 1–2 minutes until mostly cooked. Remove and set aside.
Cook the onions:
In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Add onion and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until just tender and slightly caramelized. Add garlic and stir briefly.
Combine everything:
Return beef to the pan, pour in the sauce, and stir-fry everything together for 1–2 more minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and onions.
Serve:
Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.
✅ Tips:
Slice beef thin and evenly for the best texture.
Don’t overcook the onions — they should still have a bit of bite.
Add green peppers or scallions for extra color and flavor.