Description
A quick and flavorful Beef Onion Stir-fry featuring tender flank steak and sweet small onions cooked in a savory sauce combining soy, oyster sauce, and a hint of ketchup. This easy stir-fry recipe is perfect for a fast weeknight dinner and yields a delicious combination of tender meat and caramelized onions.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Marinade
- 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon neutral oil (such as vegetable or canola)
- 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
Sauce
- 2 teaspoons ketchup
- 2 teaspoons oyster sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 cup water
Vegetables and Oil
- 10 ounces small onions, sliced into wedges (approximately 3 small onions)
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil, divided
Instructions
- Marinate the Beef: In a mixing bowl, combine the thinly sliced flank steak with baking soda, cornstarch, 1 teaspoon neutral oil, 1 teaspoon oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon water, light soy sauce, and dark soy sauce. Stir well to ensure all beef pieces are coated evenly. Let this marinate for about 15 minutes to tenderize the steak and enhance flavor.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a separate small bowl, mix together ketchup, oyster sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and 1/4 cup water. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and set aside.
- Cook the Onions: Heat 1 tablespoon of neutral oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced small onions and stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until they start to soften and get slightly caramelized. Remove the onions from the pan and set aside.
- Stir-fry the Beef: In the same pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of neutral oil and increase the heat to high. Add the marinated beef in a single layer, letting it sear for about 1-2 minutes before stirring. Continue stir-frying until the beef is mostly cooked through but still tender, about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked onions to the pan with the beef. Pour the prepared sauce over the mixture and stir-fry everything together for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and everything is coated evenly. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- Be sure to slice the flank steak thinly and against the grain to keep it tender in the stir-fry.
- Marinating the beef with baking soda helps tenderize the meat effectively.
- You can substitute small onions with shallots or pearl onions if preferred.
- Adjust the sauce ingredients to taste, especially the ketchup and sugar for sweetness balance.
- This dish pairs well with steamed rice or noodles.
