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Home » Recipes » Stir Fries » The Easiest Beef Stir Fry {2-Ingredient Sauce!}

The Easiest Beef Stir Fry {2-Ingredient Sauce!}

5/17/22

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This is the EASIEST Beef Stir Fry recipe with a 2-ingredient stir fry sauce. You likely already have all the ingredients in your pantry!  

The Easiest Beef Stir Fry

Ingredients and substitutions

  • Sesame oil – use another cooking oil like grapeseed oil or canola oil instead.
  • Sirloin steak – or another tender cut of beef like tenderloin or ribeye. You can also buy pre-cut strips at the grocery store.
  • Garlic – fresh minced garlic is best but the jarred variety will work in a pinch.
  • Salt & pepper – to taste.
  • Broccoli – cauliflower, bok coy and cabbage would all be good too.
  • Carrot – swap out for another veggie of your choice like mushrooms, onions or water chestnuts.
  • Baby corn – you can use frozen corn kernels, they just won’t be as crispy.
  • Red pepper – or any other colour bell pepper like yellow or red.
  • Rice – I like using white rice but you can use another rice of your choice or even quinoa.

Stir fry sauce

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  • Low-sodium soy sauce – tamari or coconut aminos are the best substitutes here.
  • Hoisin sauce – substitute for oyster sauce or use 2 tbsp. of honey instead.
photo collage: making a beef stir fry recipe

How to make beef stir fry

  1. Cook the rice.
  2. Sauté the steak.
  3. Mix together the stir fry sauce.
  4. Cook the veggies.
  5. Toss everything together.
  6. Serve and enjoy!
4 make-ahead Beef Stir Fry dinners in glass storage containers

Two-ingredient stir fry sauce

The great thing about this beef stir fry is that the sauce comes together with just TWO ingredients: hoisin sauce and soy sauce. If you don't have hoisin sauce already on hand at home you can substitute the same amount of oyster sauce or add two tablespoons of honey instead. Really, it's quite versatile and there's no need to overthink it.

beef and broccoli stir fry in skillet

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best beef for stir fry?

You’ll want to use a tender cut of meat for this beef stir fry recipe. Stir fries are ready in about 10 minutes (the beef cooks for even less time), so you should use a cut of beef that has little to no fat or muscle fibres. I use sirloin steak and slice it against the grain into thin bite-sized slices, but other options for a beef stir fry include tri tip, tenderloin, top loin, flank steak, rib eye and shoulder cuts.

How do you make the meat more tender?

In order to tenderize the beef ahead of time, you can add 1 tsp of baking soda and 1 tsp of cornstarch to the beef along with 2 tbsp of soy sauce. Let it all sit in a large bowl or Ziploc bag for 30 minutes before sauteing on high heat. This should result in more tender beef, especially if you're using a tougher cut of meat.
 
The baking soda and cornstarch will create a layer that will prevent the meat from drying out and overcooking. You don't have to do this step if you're in a hurry, but it will result in tastier, more flavourful meat and who doesn't love that?!

How do you thicken the sauce?

If you'd like a thicker sauce, you can feel free to add in 1 tbsp of cornstarch. Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl and add the sauce towards the end just like you would do if you were making the recipe normally. This will make the sauce a bit thicker and have more substance if you're choosing to serve the stir fry over rice or noodles.

wooden spoon stirring an easy beef stir fry dinner

Storing and reheating

This recipe is perfect for meal prep because it comes together in less than 30 minutes and in one skillet to boot. You can enjoy this stir fry for dinner, of course, but it also makes for amazing weekly lunches for work. Just divide everything up into glass meal prep containers and it will keep in the fridge up to 5 days.

I find that you don't get the same “leftovers” taste with beef as you do with chicken so that's always a bonus! To reheat, just pop the glass bowls into the microwave for 2-3 minutes and you've got one tasty lunch!

Freezing this recipe

I would not recommend freezing the stir fry itself because it depends heavily on the veggies you've used. Some of them can come out soggy when you reheat them, so as long as you don't mind that aspect you should be okay to freeze it. Make sure to freeze it in glass meal prep bowls, then reheat in the microwave for 6-7 minutes.

Broccoli, baby corn, red bell peppers and str fried beef in glass meal prep containers

More easy stir fry recipes

  • Sticky Ginger Sesame Tofu Stir Fry
  • Chicken Stir Fry {Simple + Easy}
  • Easiest Ever Ground Turkey Stir Fry

Meal prep tools for this recipe

  • Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on turning this beef stir fry into your weekly lunches
  • A Rice Cooker will automatically cook the side dish of rice for you
  • I get all my grass-fed beef from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen so I always have steak on hand!
  • Use these Ziploc bag holders if you're marinating the steak ahead of time
Beef stir fry in a black skillet.

The Easiest Beef Stir Fry {2-Ingredient Sauce!}

This is the EASIEST Beef Stir Fry recipe with a 2-ingredient stir fry sauce. You likely already have all the ingredients in your pantry!  
4.85 from 46 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Asian
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 500kcal
Author: Taylor Stinson

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 8 oz sirloin steak, thinly sliced against the grain
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 tsp each salt & pepper
  • 1 head broccoli, chopped
  • 1 carrot, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 can baby corn, drained and rinsed
  • 1 red pepper, sliced
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

Stir fry sauce

  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup hoisin sauce

Rice (optional, to serve)

  • 1 cup dry white rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tsp butter

Instructions

  • Cook rice with water and butter together in a rice cooker (if serving with stir fry).
  • Optional step for more tender beef (skip if you're in a rush): Add 1 tsp cornstarch, 1 tsp baking soda and 2 tbsp soy sauce to sliced steak. Toss to combine and let marinate for 30 minutes in a large bowl or Ziploc bag.
  • Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over med-high heat. Add steak, garlic, salt and pepper, sauteeing for 2-3 minutes until seared. Remove from heat and transfer to a plate. Meanwhile, mix stir fry sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.
  • Without wiping pan clean, add broccoli and carrots, then cover skillet with a lid. Cook for 3-4 minutes until veggies are tender, stirring occasionally. Add in baby corn and red pepper, sauteeing another 2 minutes.
  • Add steak back to pan, along with stir fry sauce, tossing well to coat. Cook 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  • Serve overtop of rice and garnish with sesame seeds. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Use a tender cut of beef like tenderloin or ribeye.
Add in more veggies like mushrooms, cabbage, bok choy, cauliflower or water chestnuts.
Thicken the sauce using 1 tbsp. cornstarch.
Serve with a side of rice, ramen noodles, udon noodles or cauliflower rice.
Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Microwave for 2-3 minutes to reheat.

Nutrition

Calories: 500kcal | Carbohydrates: 81g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 921mg | Potassium: 1119mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 4735IU | Vitamin C: 180.3mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 3.5mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @GirlonBloor or tag #girlonbloor!
This is the EASIEST Beef Stir Fry recipe out there - with a simple 2-ingredient sauce, you'll likely already have all the ingredients you need to make this healthy dinner idea! #beefstirfry #skilletrecipe This is the EASIEST Beef Stir Fry recipe out there - with a simple 2-ingredient sauce, you'll likely already have all the ingredients you need to make this healthy dinner idea! #beefstirfry #skilletrecipe

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About Taylor Stinson

Hey there, my name's Taylor! I’m the founder of The Girl on Bloor, a food blog where I share healthy meal prep recipes for busy people. I'm a busy city girl living in downtown Toronto on (you guessed it!) Bloor Street. I've got 10 years experience meal prepping, along with a Master's degree in journalism, and you can find my work across the internet featured on publications such as Buzzfeed, HuffPost, Women's Health, Reader's Digest and more. I also run the awesome 5-Day Meal Prep Challenge, which is a free email course and Facebook group where I share my meal planning strategies and easy meal prep tips and recipes. Be sure to check out my free beginner’s guide to meal prep and follow me on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to get my latest recipes and meal prep tips!

Comments

  1. Diane K (foodieforpeace) says

    March 10, 2021 at 19:53

    5 stars
    I selected this recipe for the sauce. I had a 3 pack of hoisin and wanted to try some new recipes. Very tasty. Made as written with addition of sliced water chestnuts. Thanks for the Asian inspired recipe.

    Reply
    • Taylor Stinson says

      March 11, 2021 at 07:54

      I’m so happy you enjoyed, thanks for leaving your review 🙂

      Reply
  2. Frida says

    February 10, 2021 at 04:11

    Can I make this recipe in the instsntpot?

    Reply
    • Taylor Stinson says

      February 10, 2021 at 07:42

      Hi Frida – I’m sure you could but I haven’t tried it myself. Let me know if you end up trying it this way!

      Reply
  3. Ene says

    October 17, 2020 at 14:04

    I made it this first time . Turned out amazing,. I did double sauce .

    Reply
  4. Dorothy says

    July 27, 2020 at 12:58

    5 stars
    Loved this! Just took all the fresh veggies in the refrigerator and tada! The meat was so tender you could cut it with a fork!

    Reply
    • Taylor Stinson says

      July 27, 2020 at 15:45

      I’m so happy you enjoyed 🙂

      Reply
  5. Regina says

    May 26, 2020 at 20:34

    5 stars
    I substituted 1 small zucchini for the corn. Also, next time I would mix Less amount of dressing. But this was delicious

    Reply
    • Taylor Stinson says

      May 27, 2020 at 07:57

      I’m so happy you enjoyed, Regina!

      Reply
  6. Beverly Sheffield says

    April 29, 2020 at 18:52

    5 stars
    Delish! And oh so easy!

    Reply
    • Taylor Stinson says

      April 30, 2020 at 08:25

      So happy you enjoyed, Beverly!

      Reply
  7. Sevi says

    April 4, 2020 at 02:40

    Didn’t see any mention of:
    Hoisin sauce
    White wine
    Water
    Butter
    In the instructions. They are shown in the ingredients list

    Reply
    • Taylor Stinson says

      April 4, 2020 at 16:49

      Hi Sevi – there is no white wine in this recipe, I’m wondering if you have misread something? As you can see under the headings, you use the water and butter to cook the rice, and you mix the soy sauce and hoisin sauce together to make the sauce.

      Reply
  8. Blair says

    August 17, 2019 at 01:24

    Oh, I did the same as Kerri. I marinated the beef and left out the extra salt. The beef was *perfect*!

    Reply
  9. Blair says

    August 17, 2019 at 01:22

    I made it! Both my boyfriend and I *loved* it!! He said, “this is definitely a keeper!” The only suggested improvement (from him): increase the sauce. Next time, I’ll double it, just for him.

    Reply
    • Taylor Stinson says

      August 19, 2019 at 07:18

      Oooooh I love that idea! So happy you enjoyed Blair 🙂

      Reply
  10. Kerri says

    May 19, 2019 at 15:12

    5 stars
    This is so good!! I did everything you listed except for adding salt (just because the soy sauce is salty enough for me) and it came out amazing. I used the tip you gave for the baking soda, corn starch and soy sauce as a marinade and the meat came out perfect. I have it plated with rice for this weeks meal prep. This ilrecipe is a keeper for me. And my other half tried it out and said we should have it for dinner one night too so its definitely a hit! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Taylor Stinson says

      May 21, 2019 at 08:32

      So happy to hear that Kerri!!! 🙂

      Reply
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Taylor Stinson

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I'm Taylor Stinson, a busy city girl living in downtown Toronto. Looking to switch up your weekly meal prep routine? I've got you covered with healthy recipes and meal planning resources. Join 1.5 million other monthly readers and dive in! MORE ABOUT ME..

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