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Fast Chinese Beef & Green Bean Skillet Stir-Fry

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This Chinese Beef and Green Bean Skillet is a quick and satisfying one-pan meal that brings takeout flavors right to your kitchen. Enjoy tender beef and crisp-tender green beans coated in a savory-sweet sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb flank steak or sirloin, sliced thinly against the grain
  • 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
  • 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 thumb-sized piece ginger, grated or finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)
  • 1/2 tablespoon cooking oil (for searing beef)
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil (for sautéing green beans)
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil (for finishing)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients (Mise en Place): Slice the flank steak or sirloin thinly against the grain into bite-sized pieces. If marinating, toss the sliced beef with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon of oil. Set aside for at least 15 minutes.
  2. Trim the ends off the fresh green beans. If they are very long, cut them in half.
  3. Mince the garlic and grate or finely mince the ginger.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients: 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, and 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth. Ensure the cornstarch is fully dissolved.
  5. Cook the Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add half of the beef in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until seared and browned. Remove the cooked beef and set aside. Add another 1/2 tablespoon of oil if needed and repeat with the remaining beef.
  6. Sauté the Green Beans: Add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil to the skillet. Toss in the trimmed green beans and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes until vibrant and slightly tender-crisp. If too dry, add a tablespoon or two of water and cover to steam for a minute or two. Remove the green beans and set aside with the beef.
  7. Aromatics and Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and add 1/2 tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, stir-frying for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  8. Combine and Thicken: Whisk the prepared sauce mixture again and pour it into the skillet with the aromatics. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 1-2 minutes.
  9. Final Toss: Return the cooked beef and green beans to the skillet with the thickened sauce. Toss gently to coat everything in the sauce. Remove from heat.
  10. Finish and Serve: Drizzle with 1/2 teaspoon of sesame oil and give it one final toss. Serve immediately over steamed white rice or brown rice.

Nutrition

Keywords: Don't overcrowd your skillet to ensure proper searing. High heat is essential for stir-frying, and having all ingredients prepped before cooking is key. For tender beef, slice against the grain and consider marinating briefly.

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