Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry

Description: This Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful dish that combines tender slices of beef with aromatic onions, all tossed in a savory and slightly sweet sauce. It’s a perfect dish for a busy weeknight, offering a delicious balance of textures and flavors. Serve it with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Origin: Stir-frying is a traditional Chinese cooking method that has become popular worldwide for its quick preparation and intense flavors. Beef and onion stir fry is a classic Chinese dish that highlights simple ingredients, often found in Chinese-American cuisine and other regional Chinese variations.

Ingredients (for 4 servings):

1 lb (450g) beef (such as flank steak, sirloin, or skirt steak), thinly sliced against the grain
2 large onions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (optional, for added sweetness)
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon rice vinegar (optional, for added acidity)
1 tablespoon brown sugar (or honey)
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
2-3 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Optional Ingredients:

1 bell pepper, sliced (for added color and crunch)
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (shiitake or button mushrooms work well)
1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder (for extra depth of flavor)
1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening the sauce, if needed)

Instructions:

In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce (if using), sesame oil, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce is well combined.
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sliced beef and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, or until the beef is browned and nearly cooked through. Remove the beef from the pan and set it aside.
In the same pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the sliced onions, garlic, and ginger. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, or until the onions are softened and fragrant.
If using bell peppers or mushrooms, add them now and stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes.
Return the cooked beef to the pan and pour the sauce over the beef and onions. Toss everything together until the beef and vegetables are evenly coated with the sauce.
If the sauce seems too thin, you can mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stir it into the pan to thicken the sauce.
Stir-fry for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine and the sauce to thicken.
Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds before serving. Serve with steamed rice or noodles.

Tips for Success:

Slice the beef thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness.
Stir-fry the beef quickly over high heat to keep it tender and juicy. Overcooking the beef can result in a tough texture.
Adjust the sweetness and saltiness of the sauce to your taste by adding more sugar or soy sauce.
To add more depth of flavor, consider using freshly ground five-spice powder or adding a splash of Shaoxing wine to the sauce.

Recommendations:

This dish pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice or fried rice for a complete meal.
For a more veggie-packed dish, you can add additional vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli.
To make the dish spicier, add more red pepper flakes or drizzle a bit of chili oil over the finished dish.

Nutrition (per serving, approximate):