This 30-minute Steak stir-fry recipe is filling, tasty, and brimming with veggies. Super easy to make, it’s the perfect addition to your back-to-school weeknight dinner rotation.
We partnered with Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner., on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, to help you prepare for the back-to-school season with this protein-rich stir fry.
This Beef stir fry is a weeknight dinner lifesaver, especially when you’re dealing with the chaos of navigating the school season. When back-to-school preparation is in high-gear, it’s not just about buying new backpacks, pencils, and notebooks, shirts also a time to strategize about how you’re going to get healthy food on the table in between homework, after-school activities, and other day-to-day obligations. When you’re strapped for time, nothing beats a stir fry.
Teeming with Beef, this quick and easy stir fry is not only tasty, but it’s also full of protein and super versatile. Whether you’re packing lunches, preparing after-school snacks, or meal prepping for the week, it’s a wonderful dish to help you power through the week deliciously. My family loved this recipe and I know yours will too. Let’s get to it!
Steak Stir Fry Video
How to Make Steak Stir Fry
Making Steak stir fry only requires a couple, wholesome ingredients and a few simple steps to make. Below, find a quick hitter overview of the recipe.
- Prepare the Marinade: Using a whisk, mix together the marinade ingredients. Set aside.
- Chop the Veggies: Chop the bell pepper, broccoli, onion, and green onion. Set aside.
- Slice the Steak: Cut the Steak against the grain into thin slices using a sharp knife.
- Cook the Veggies: Over medium heat, stir fry the veggies in a wok or deep-frying pan and set aside.
- Stir Fry the Beef: In the same wok or pan, add the Beef and stir fry over high heat.
- Add Veggies & Sauce: Return the veggies into the wok with the Beef alongside the green onions. Add the sauce and stir fry until the sauce thickens. Enjoy as-is or alongside some steamed rice!
What does “against the grain” mean? Slicing against the grain means slicing against the muscle fibers in your cut of Beef versus alongside them. This breaks up the tough fibers and makes the Beef more tender and easier to chew!
Tips for the Best Beef Stir Fry
Below, find a collection of tips and tricks to help you make the best Beef stir fry on the planet.
- Slice the steak into similar-sized strips. By slicing your Steak into similar-sized pieces, you’ll promote even cooking.
- Partially freeze Steaks for easier slicing. Pop Steaks in the freezer for about 30 minutes before you slice them.
- Always slice Steak against the grain. Slicing against the muscle fibers of the Steak versus alongside them will make your stir fry more tender and easier to chew.
- Use Steak that is Choice or Prime grade. The better quality your Steak, the better quality your stir fry. Choice and Prime grades are superior.
- Pat Steaks dry before stir-frying. To help your Steak form a nice crust, pat it dry of any excess moisture with paper towels before stir frying.
What cut of Beef should I use? Always opt for Choice or Prime cuts of Beef. For this recipe, Flank Steak works best. However, you can also use Filet or Ribeye.
Serving Steak Stir Fry
This Steak stir fry can be served as a healthy lunch or dinner. You can also pack it into work lunches or serve it after-school as a hearty snack to tide you and your kids over until dinner (perfect for nights when you’re running to-and-from extracurricular activities!). For a well-rounded meal, pair it with some steamed white or brown rice, quinoa, or buckwheat.
Storing Steak Stir Fry
- Refrigerator: Store leftover Steak stir fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh for up to 5 days. Reheat it in the microwave or in a pan/wok with a bit of oil.
- Freezer: Freeze Steak stir fry by first allowing it to cool completely. Then, transfer it to a freezer-safe plastic bag or airtight container. Reheat it in the microwave or in a pan/work with a bit of oil.
FAQ
How do I get tender Beef strips in my stir fry?
You get tender strips of Beef by cutting the Steak thinly and against the grain. By cutting through the Beef’s muscle fibers versus alongside them, you get more tender strips that are easier to chew.
Should I stir fry the meat or veggies first?
Always stir fry the veggies before the meat. Since they cook faster, you’ll want to set them aside until the Beef is done and add them back into the wok only when you’re ready to add in the sauce.
What cut of Steak should I use for stir fry?
Flank Steak or Strip Steak is by far the best cut for stir fry. It’s flavorful, readily available in grocery stores, and very affordable.
More Steak Recipes
- Grilled Ribeye Steak – Classic ribeye on the grill
- Easy Philly Cheesesteak (The Ultimate Guide) – A Momsdish favorite!
- Baked Steak with Vegetables – One-pan steak dinner
- 30-Minute Pepper Steak Stir Fry – Bell pepper and flank steak stir fry
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Beef Steak
- 1 red bell peppers
- 8 oz broccoli
- 1 medium onion
- 1/2 bunch green onions
- 2 tbsp oil, avocado or olive
Steak Stir Fry Marinade
- 6 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger
Instructions
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and ginger to create the stir fry marinade. Set aside.
- Chop the bell peppers into strips and cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces. Slice the onion into half rings and chop the green onion
- Slicing against the grain, cut the Steak into thin strips.
- Preheat a wok or deep-frying pan with oil. Add veggies (except green onion) and cook on medium-high until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- In the same wok or pan, add Beef strips over high-heat until the Beef turns golden brown.
- Add cooked veggies and green onions back into the wok with Beef. Pour the marinade in, give it a good toss, and cook on low for 2-4 minutes or until sauce slightly thickens.
- Serve as-is or along with your favorite side. Enjoy!
What cut of meat do you suggest using? Flank steak? Top sirloin?
Hi Ashley, Flank Steak or Strip Steak is by far the best cut for stir fry. I hope this helps! Enjoy!
It’s very good. However, the beef needs more seasoning. Did it twice and both times beef strips were bland. Why isn’t mine coming out right?
Hi Jessica, a lot of the flavor comes from soy sauce. Which brand did you use? Sometimes the low sodium has less flavor. We have one that we recommend linked in the recipe. Let me know if this helps.
Made this recipe tonight it turned out great my family loved it will definitely make it again. Thank you for sharing!
I am so glad to hear that, Ann! Thank you for your feedback! Enjoy!
My beef is tough to chew. Where did I go wrong?
Thanks
Hey there Michelle, My first thought is, I am wondering if you sliced the beef against the grain?
Absolutely delicious. I added brown rice and we had a very tasty, healthy dinner. Cooking is my happy place and this stir fry took me there immediately. Thank you!
Hi Ellie, I am so glad this recipe was a success and brought you great joy! Thank you for the feedback! Enjoy!
Delicious 🤤 came out great!
Thank you, Michele!
Wicked good!!!💕me and my husband loved it!
So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! Enjoy!
Wow this was good!!!
Hi Jerry, So glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for the feedback!
Delicious. I added garlic to the sauce. I also added shredded carrots, snow peas and water chestnuts. I definitely recommend this recipe
Hi Jessica, That sounds delicious! Thank you very much for your feedback! Enjoy!
I had plans to fix steak kabobs but out of propane for my gas grill. Can I use my wok to stir fry large chunks of strip steaks and large chunks of veggies? I know I can, but what adjustments would I need to make?
Hey Dar, I would probably start with cooking the meat fists on very high, add veggies towards the end so they dont over cook. Also you dont want to crowd the wok or they wouldn't get a nice golden color.
Didn't have any broccoli or fresh gingers so used zucchini and dried and only about half the beef and still turned out great!
Hi Jeanette - I love when readers substitute with veggies they have on hand! Thanks for giving our recipe a try. 😀
Love this. Think I’ll add carrots instead of green onion hopefully it doesn’t throw it off too much
Hello Sam- I hope you enjoyed it!
Hi there! About how long do you cook the steak? Trying this recipe tonight!
Hi Raquel- since the steak is thinly sliced it'll really only take a couple of minutes to cook!
Scrummy dish! I made a few changes with what I had on hand and preferences. Corn instead of green onion and broccoli. Half soy sauce and sesame oil. Was very nice and looking forward to making it as per the recipe another day!
Hello Georgina- I love when people use what they have on hand to make the recipe work! I'm thrilled you enjoyed this dish and are looking forward to making it again. 🙂
Me and my son made this together and it was perfect! Thanks
Ah I'm glad you found a recipe to make and enjoy together. Thanks for giving it a try, Kris! 🙂
This is a fantastic recipe!! I added 5 or 6 Jamaican Allspice berries and the flavor was amazing.
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your feedback!
My family loved it! Will be making this recipe again 🙂 thanks!
Hi Courtney - That's awesome to hear. I know it's not always easy to get everyone on board with a meal, so glad your whole family enjoyed the stir fry. We like to serve it on top of steamed rice for a complete meal.
Yummy and easy! I added about a tablespoon of minced garlic though because I love garlic and was kind of surprised not to see it in the ingredients.
Hi Katie - Thanks for the feedback! Garlic is definitely a great addition. Glad you enjoyed!
Is there a substitute for the ginger?
Substitutes for Ginger
You can easily swap in other ingredients in your spice cabinet for ginger without losing flavor. For 1 tsp. fresh or ground ginger, substitute 1 tsp. ground allspice, ground cinnamon, ground mace, or ground nutmeg.
Hi Kelly- no, there isn't really anything you can sub for ginger. If you don't have any or don't like ginger, you can just omit it 🙂
Why does this recipe show ratings 0f 1517, yet there are only 9 who made commrnts with no ratings/
Hi Chris- that's a good question. It's because readers can leave a rating without a comment. Some folks just prefer to rate it and nothing else. 🙂
I just made that! It's delicious! Super easy and quick!
Glad you loved it, thanks for commenting!
We cooked this on our Big Green Egg wok along with a simple fried rice. It was so good! Not too heavy and delicious!
Hi Stacie- Oh, I have heard such good things about the Big Green Egg! Sounds like a lovely meal. Thanks for sharing.
Your recipe doesn’t say how much ginger to use. How much & when to add it
Hi Margie! It's listed in the first step of the recipe: 1 tbsp of ginger gets added to the stir fry marinade. Enjoy!
What type of Beef Steak did you use for this recipe (you didn't specify) - there are so many possibilities.
Hi Connie - In the body of the post we suggested flank steak and ribeye as our favorite cuts to use. Hope this helps and thanks for reaching out!
very nice sauce , love the taste of the ginger . my stir fry was delicious
Hi Rose - Amazing! I love ginger too - I can't live without it. Thanks for the kind words, friend.
Can’t seem to get the sauce to thicken, almost seems like the longer I cook it the more watery it gets. Any tips?
Mix 1 tablespoon corn starch and water together. Mix it with the sauce that should thickens sauce.
Yes! That's a fab trick, Latoya. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Jared - It will get thicker as it sits at room temperature and cools a bit. If it's still too runny, add in a little cornstarch to thicken it. Hope this helps!
We loved this recipe! The steak came out tender and flavorful and it was so easy!
I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe, thank you for your feedback!
I'm drooling over your pictures!! Delicious!! The meat & veggies are tender & full of flavor. Great on it's own or over rice or in a tortilla..so many options!
Thank you very much! It really is such a versatile dish.
Absolutely delicious! I just love this recipe. Fresh ginger just really pulls it all together!
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you for your feedback!