If you’re craving a dish that’s bursting with bold, savory flavors and offers a wonderful harmony of tender beef and sweet caramelized onions, then you are absolutely going to love this Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry Recipe. It’s a quick and delicious stir fry that perfectly balances the richness of the beef with the freshness of garlic and ginger, all wrapped up in a luscious, flavorful sauce. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or impressing guests with an easy yet impressive meal, this recipe hits all the right notes for a satisfying and memorable dinner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry Recipe shines because of its simple but essential ingredients. Each one contributes deeply to the final taste, texture, or appearance — from the tenderly marinated beef to the glaze of glossy sauce coating everything beautifully.
- Beef (flank steak or sirloin): Thinly sliced for quick cooking and tender bites.
- Large onion: Sliced to add sweetness and a hint of crunch after caramelizing.
- Garlic cloves: Minced to infuse the dish with aromatic depth.
- Fresh ginger: Adds a subtle zing that complements the beef perfectly.
- Soy sauce: Provides salty umami richness essential to stir fry sauces.
- Oyster sauce: Brings a slightly sweet earthiness for complexity.
- Hoisin sauce: Adds a touch of sweetness and a beautiful sheen to the dish.
- Cornstarch: Ensures a slightly thickened sauce that clings to each ingredient.
- Sesame oil (or vegetable oil): Imparts a toasty aroma and helps stir fry the ingredients evenly.
- Cooking wine (optional): Enhances flavor and tenderizes the beef.
- Sugar: Balances savory and sharp flavors with a gentle sweetness.
- Water or beef broth: Adds moisture and helps create the sauce.
- Black pepper: Adds a mild spicy kick to finish.
- Green onions: Chopped for garnish and fresh, vibrant color.
- Cooked rice or noodles: Perfect for serving this flavorful stir fry.
How to Make Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the Beef
Start by combining the thinly sliced beef with 1 tablespoon each of soy and oyster sauce, cornstarch, and optional cooking wine. This simple marinade not only seasons the beef but also tenderizes it and helps the sauce cling beautifully after cooking. Let the beef soak up the flavors for at least 10 to 15 minutes — this step is absolutely worth it for punchy, savory goodness.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
While the beef marinates, whisk together the remaining soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sugar, and water or beef broth. This sauce mix is the heart of the Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry Recipe, bringing together salty, sweet, and umami notes in perfect harmony to coat every bite.
Step 3: Cook the Beef
Heat your wok or large skillet over medium-high heat and add sesame oil. Once hot, add the marinated beef and work quickly, stir-frying for just 2 to 3 minutes until the beef is nicely browned but still tender. Then, remove it from the pan and set aside — don’t overcook here, as beef cooks fast and you want it juicy and flavorful.
Step 4: Stir-Fry the Onions and Aromatics
In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed and toss in the sliced onions. Stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing them to soften and start to caramelize, which brings out their natural sweetness. Then add the minced garlic and fresh ginger and stir for another minute until the whole pan smells incredible and fragrant.
Step 5: Combine Beef and Sauce
Now, return the cooked beef to the pan with the onions. Pour in the prepared sauce and stir everything together to coat the beef and onions evenly. Let it simmer gently for 2 or 3 minutes until the sauce thickens just a bit, giving everything a beautiful glossy finish and ensuring your stir fry stays juicy and vibrant.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Finish off by sprinkling chopped green onions over the top for a burst of color and fresh onion flavor. Serve your Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry Recipe immediately over steaming hot rice or noodles — the perfect base to soak up every last drop of that delicious sauce.
How to Serve Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry Recipe
Garnishes
Chopped green onions are classic, but you can also add toasted sesame seeds or thin slices of fresh red chili for a little heat and crunch. These simple garnishes add extra flavor and texture, making each bite even more exciting.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with fluffy steamed jasmine rice or silky egg noodles. For a balanced meal, consider serving alongside crisp stir-fried greens like bok choy or Chinese broccoli to add freshness and a slight bitterness that complements the savory beef.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving the stir fry in lettuce cups for a light, hand-held meal. Alternatively, top it over a bed of cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. You can also pile the beef and onions on bao buns for an irresistible Asian-inspired sandwich.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The beef and onions will keep well for up to 3 days, maintaining their flavor and texture nicely.
Freezing
This Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry Recipe can be frozen if needed. Place cooled portions in freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium heat to avoid overcooking the beef. You can add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce as it warms through. Microwave reheating works too, but the skillet method helps maintain texture better.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?
Absolutely! While flank steak or sirloin work best because they’re tender and slice thinly, you can also use ribeye or even skirt steak for a richer flavor. Just be sure to slice against the grain for tenderness.
Is it necessary to marinate the beef?
Marinating isn’t required but highly recommended. It infuses the meat with flavor and tenderizes it, making your stir fry taste restaurant-quality in no time. Even 10 minutes is enough to make a big difference.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make it vegetarian, swap the beef for firm tofu or mushrooms and substitute oyster sauce with a vegetarian version or soy sauce. The flavorful sauce and caramelized onions still make for a delicious dish.
What can I use instead of cooking wine?
If you don’t have cooking wine on hand or prefer not to use it, a splash of rice vinegar or extra beef broth works well to add acidity and depth to the marinade without overpowering the beef.
How do I get the onions nicely caramelized without burning?
Keep the heat at medium or medium-high and stir frequently. Cooking the onions slowly allows their natural sugars to develop sweetness and color without scorching. Adding a pinch of salt also helps draw out moisture for better caramelization.
Final Thoughts
This Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry Recipe has quickly become one of my absolute favorite go-to meals because it’s packed with layers of flavor and comes together in under 30 minutes. It’s the kind of comforting yet impressive dish you’ll find yourself craving again and again. Give it a try — I promise it’ll become a staple in your kitchen as well!
Print
Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A flavorful Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry featuring tender slices of beef marinated and stir-fried to perfection with caramelized onions, garlic, and ginger in a savory sauce. This quick and easy dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner, served over steamed rice or noodles.
Ingredients
Beef Marinade
- 1 lb beef (flank steak or sirloin), thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cooking wine (optional)
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ cup water or beef broth
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Cooking Oils
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (or vegetable oil)
Instructions
- Marinate the beef: In a bowl, combine the thinly sliced beef with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, cornstarch, and cooking wine if using. Let it marinate for at least 10-15 minutes to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the remaining soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sugar, and water or beef broth. Set this sauce mixture aside for later use.
- Cook the beef: Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sesame oil and swirl to coat the pan. Once hot, add the marinated beef and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the beef is just browned but not fully cooked through. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the onions and aromatics: In the same pan, add a bit more oil if needed, then toss in the sliced onions. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until they soften and begin to caramelize. Add the minced garlic and ginger, stirring for another minute until fragrant.
- Combine and simmer: Return the beef to the pan with the onions. Pour in the prepared sauce, stirring to evenly coat the beef and onions. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and everything is heated through.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the chopped green onions on top and serve the stir fry immediately over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh ginger and garlic to enhance the aroma and flavor.
- You can substitute beef broth with water, but broth adds more depth to the sauce.
- Adjust the soy sauce quantity to taste if you prefer a saltier or milder dish.
- Cooking wine is optional but recommended to tenderize the beef and enrich flavor.
- Use a wok or a heavy skillet to ensure even, high-heat cooking.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the beef tender and the onions caramelized.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
