Stir-fried beef with onions and ginger is a quick and flavorful dish that brings together the delicious combination of onions, beef, and ginger. This recipe creates a savory and aromatic stir-fry that can be served over rice for a satisfying meal. The tender beef is thinly sliced and seasoned with salt and pepper, then quickly cooked in a hot skillet along with onions, garlic, and ginger. The result is a mouthwatering stir-fry with tender beef, caramelized onions, and the subtle heat of ginger. This versatile dish can be made with various cuts of meat and can easily be customized to suit your taste preferences.
MAKES: 4 servings
TIME: 30 minutes, plus time to freeze the beef
INGREDIENTS:
- 3/4 to 1 pound flank or sirloin steak, or other tender beef cut
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons peanut or neutral oil, like grapeseed or corn
- 2 large or 3 medium onions, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon minced or grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 cup beef or chicken stock, or water
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce or soy sauce
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Slice the beef as thinly as possible, cutting it across the grain. Freezing the beef for 15 to 30 minutes beforehand can make it easier to slice thinly. Cut the slices into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle the beef with salt and pepper and set it aside.
- Heat a large skillet over high heat until it starts to smoke, which takes about 3 to 4 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the hot skillet, followed by the sliced onions. Immediately stir the onions and continue stirring every 30 seconds or so until they soften and begin to char slightly. This process usually takes about 4 to 5 minutes. Season the onions with salt and pepper, then remove them from the skillet, while keeping the heat high.
- Add the remaining oil to the skillet, followed by the minced garlic and 1 tablespoon of the minced ginger. Stir immediately and quickly add the beef to the skillet. Stir the beef every 20 seconds or so until it loses its color, which usually takes just a minute or two longer. Stir in the cooked onions.
- Pour in the beef or chicken stock and add the hoisin sauce or soy sauce, along with the remaining teaspoon of minced ginger. Allow some of the liquid to bubble away, creating a flavorful sauce. Serve the stir-fried beef immediately over rice.
VARIATIONS:
- Stir-Fried Beef with Tomatoes and Black Beans: In Step 1, soak the sliced meat in soy sauce. At the same time, soak fermented black beans in sherry. In Step 3, add scallions, garlic, ginger, and the beef with soy sauce. Cook for 1 minute, then add chopped tomatoes, fermented black beans and their liquid, and the onions. Omit the stock and hoisin sauce. Stir, taste, adjust the seasoning, and serve immediately over rice.
- Sesame Stir-Fried Beef: Omit the stock and hoisin sauce. Marinate the beef in soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar. Substitute dark sesame oil for the peanut oil. In Step 3, increase the amount of garlic. Cook until the liquid is evaporated, garnish with chopped scallions and toasted sesame seeds, and serve immediately.
These variations allow you to experiment with different flavors and ingredients while still enjoying a delicious stir-fried beef dish. Whether you choose to stick with the original recipe or try one of the variations, this quick and flavorful stir-fry is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.
