There’s something incredibly satisfying about a dinner that’s bursting with flavor yet comes together in a snap. This Easy Beef Stir Fry Recipe does exactly that — tender, juicy beef meets crisp veggies, all coated in a luscious, slightly sweet sauce you’ll want to eat over and over. Let me tell you why it’s one of my absolute go-tos for busy nights.

A black bowl is filled with a bottom layer of white steamed rice, topped with a stir-fry mix of brown cooked meat strips and colorful sliced vegetables including red, green, and orange bell peppers, along with green onions and light brown onion pieces. The meat and vegetables are glazed with a shiny sauce and sprinkled with white sesame seeds on top. In the background, another black bowl with the same dish is partially visible, all set on a white marbled texture surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Beef Stir Fry Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Beef Stir Fry Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Beef Stir Fry Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this Easy Beef Stir Fry Recipe has everything I look for when cooking after a busy day: quick, flavorful, and totally versatile. It's a total crowd-pleaser, and it feels like a treat without much fuss.

Speedy Prep & Cooking: You can have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes, perfect for hectic evenings.
Vibrant, Fresh Veggies: Mixed bell peppers and onions add a pop of color and crunch that really wakes up the dish.
Flavor-Packed Sauce: The blend of hoisin, soy, vinegar, and a hint of sweetness balances savory and tangy perfectly.
Customizable & Flexible: Tweak ingredients or add your favorite veggies easily to suit your taste or what’s in your fridge.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe hits the right notes because each ingredient plays a role, from the tender beef to the bright veggies and that irresistible sauce. Here’s why I trust these choices — and how you can pick the best versions at the store.

Flat lay of fresh raw beef steak cut into thick strips, a small mound of vibrant mixed color bell peppers (red, yellow, and green), one small unpeeled onion quartered, a few whole green onions with bright green stalks, two whole uncracked brown garlic cloves, a small piece of fresh ginger root with peeled halves showing, a small white ceramic bowl of golden sesame oil, a small white ceramic bowl of dark glossy hoisin sauce, a small white ceramic bowl of deep brown soy sauce, a small white ceramic bowl of clear rice vinegar, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white cornstarch powder, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse sea salt flakes, a small white ceramic bowl of toasted sesame seeds, a small white ceramic bowl of clear water, and a small white ceramic bowl of pale yellow vegetable oil, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Beef steak: Choose a tender cut like sirloin or flank steak—thinly sliced against the grain for perfect bite and juiciness.
Sesame oil: Just a splash adds amazing nuttiness that takes the dish to another level.
Cornstarch & baking soda: These are secret weapons — cornstarch thickens the sauce, and baking soda tenderizes the beef, making it melt-in-your-mouth.
Hoisin sauce (or oyster sauce): Adds a sweet and savory depth; I love the complexity it brings but oyster sauce works just as well.
Soy sauce: For that salty umami kick—go for low sodium if you’re watching salt intake.
Rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar/Shaoxing wine): Adds brightness and balances the rich flavors with a gentle tang.
Brown sugar (or honey/maple syrup): Sweetness rounds out the sauce, feel free to experiment with your favorite natural sweeteners.
Bell peppers (mixed colors): They’re crisp, sweet, and colorful—use whatever combo you like for beauty and flavor.
Onion and green onions: Adds sharpness and freshness; green onions also make a lovely garnish.
Garlic and ginger: Essential aromatics that make all the difference; fresh minced is best.
Vegetable oil (or canola oil): For a neutral high-heat oil perfect for stir-frying without burning.
Sesame seeds: Sprinkle these on top for texture and that extra nuttiness—toast them for more flavor.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Easy Beef Stir Fry Recipe is how adaptable it is. I often swap or add veggies depending on what’s fresh or what my mood is, so don’t hesitate to personalize it.

Variation: Sometimes, I throw in snap peas or broccoli for extra crunch and green goodness — it works like a charm every time.
Protein Options: Feel free to use chicken, tofu, or shrimp if you want a twist or if beef isn't your pick that day.
Spice it up: Adding a dash of chili flakes or fresh sliced chilies lifts the flavor with a little heat, which I love especially in cooler months.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Beef Stir Fry Recipe

A white bowl filled with three layers: the bottom layer is fluffy white rice, the middle layer has colorful strips of cooked bell peppers in green, red, orange, and yellow, and the top layer shows strips of brown cooked meat covered in a shiny sauce, sprinkled with white sesame seeds. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with two dark wooden chopsticks placed next to it. Below the bowl, part of a black pan is visible, filled with the same meat and bell pepper mix, and a green cloth is nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients

Slice your beef thinly against the grain — this helps it stay tender. Toss it with baking soda, cornstarch, and sea salt, then let it rest while you chop the peppers, onion, green onions, garlic, and ginger. Having everything ready before the pan heats up makes stir-frying far less stressful.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

Mix hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, water, and cornstarch in a bowl until smooth. This combo creates that gorgeous glossy coating for your stir-fry that ties all the flavors together.

Step 3: Cook the Beef

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add the beef in a single layer and sear until just browned but not fully cooked — about 1-2 minutes per side. Remove the beef and set it aside; this step locks in juiciness.

Step 4: Stir-Fry the Veggies

In the same pan, add the garlic and ginger and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Toss in bell peppers and onions, stir-frying just until they brighten and soften slightly — you want them crisp-tender, not mushy.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Return the beef to the pan, pour in the sauce, and stir constantly for about 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats everything perfectly. Finish with a sprinkle of green onions and sesame seeds for extra flair.

Top Tip

From my kitchen to yours, here are some little tricks that make this Easy Beef Stir Fry Recipe a surefire winner every time.

Get your mise en place right: Prepping everything before you start cooking means you won't rush and risk overcooking the beef or veggies.
Temperature matters: Make sure your pan is really hot before adding beef — this helps it brown beautifully instead of steam.
Baking soda magic: Trust the baking soda trick for tender beef; just don’t skip rinsing or patting dry if you pre-marinade — it makes a difference.
Add sauce at the end: Stir-frying without sauce until the end keeps those fresh veggie textures intact instead of sogging them down.

How to Serve Easy Beef Stir Fry Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping my stir fry with a handful of toasted sesame seeds for crunch and nuttiness, plus freshly sliced green onions for vibrant color and that subtle oniony punch. Sometimes, I drizzle a little extra sesame oil on top or add a few red pepper flakes if I’m craving heat.

Side Dishes

Serving this Easy Beef Stir Fry Recipe over steamed jasmine rice or alongside garlic noodles is my go-to. When I want something lower-carb, cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles work beautifully too. For a complete meal, steamed edamame or a crisp side salad rounds it out perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I’ve served this stir fry in individual lettuce cups — it makes for a fun handheld experience that's both light and flavorful. Another time, I layered it over crispy wonton chips as a festive appetizer that was a hit at a party.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to cool the stir fry quickly and tuck it in the fridge overnight, and it tastes great reheated without losing too much of its fresh flavor or texture.

Freezing

Freezing works, but texture of the veggies changes a bit — I recommend freezing the beef and sauce separately if possible. When you thaw and reheat, add a splash of water or broth to bring the sauce back to life.

Reheating

I usually reheat leftovers over medium heat in a skillet, adding a small splash of water or soy sauce to prevent drying out. Microwaving works too, just watch so it doesn’t overcook — stirring halfway through helps keep everything evenly warm.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different cut of beef for this stir fry?

Absolutely! While flank steak or sirloin is ideal because they’re tender and cook fast, you can use ribeye or even tenderized round steak. Just slice thinly against the grain to keep it tender during cooking.

What’s the best way to slice beef for this recipe?

The key is to slice the beef thinly across the grain. This means cutting perpendicular to the muscle fibers, which breaks them up and results in a much more tender bite. Using a very sharp knife makes this easier and safer.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

Yes, you can swap beef for tofu, tempeh, or even seitan for a plant-based version. Just keep the sauce the same (check labels if buying pre-made sauces to ensure they’re vegetarian) and stir fry the protein until nicely browned before adding veggies.

How do I prevent vegetables from getting soggy?

Stir-fry over high heat and cook veggies just until they’re crisp-tender, not fully soft. Add sauce at the very end to avoid them steaming for too long. Also, cutting veggies uniformly ensures even cooking.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Beef Stir Fry Recipe has become my go-to for turning an ordinary weeknight into something a little more special and flavorful without any stress. I hope you find as much joy in making and eating it as I do—and that it becomes a staple in your home, too. Happy cooking, friend!