Zesty Garlic Beef Stir-Fry with Green Beans & Rice Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand quick, flavorful solutions that satisfy hunger and delight taste buds.

This garlic beef stir-fry bursts with savory flavors that dance across your palate.

Rich, tender beef mingles with crisp green beans in a mouthwatering symphony of textures.

Fragrant garlic infuses every bite with an irresistible aroma that beckons you to the table.

Simple ingredients transform into an extraordinary meal that comes together in mere minutes.

The combination of seared beef, vibrant vegetables, and fluffy rice creates a balanced plate everyone will love.

Prepare to experience a restaurant-quality dish that brings excitement to your home cooking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients For Spicy Garlic Beef Stir-Fry With Green Beans & Rice

• Beef: Choose tender cuts like sirloin or flank steak, sliced against the grain for maximum tenderness and quick cooking.
• Soy Sauce: Adds umami depth and helps tenderize the meat, select low-sodium for better control of saltiness.
• Cornstarch: Creates a protective coating that seals in meat juices and helps achieve a beautiful golden sear.
• Sesame Oil: Brings a nutty, aromatic flavor that elevates the entire dish's complexity.

• Green Beans: Select fresh, crisp beans with vibrant color and no blemishes for the perfect tender-crisp texture.
• Garlic: Provides intense, sharp flavor; choose firm, plump cloves without sprouts for maximum pungency.
• Ginger: Adds warm, spicy undertones; look for smooth, firm roots with tight skin.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces exciting heat and can be adjusted based on personal spice tolerance.

• Hoisin Sauce: Contributes sweet and tangy complexity with rich, dark flavor profile.
• Oyster Sauce: Delivers deep, savory umami notes that round out the stir-fry's taste.
• Vinegar: Balances richness with bright acidity, cutting through the dish's heavier elements.
• Brown Sugar: Provides subtle sweetness and helps sauce caramelize beautifully.
• Green Onions: Offers fresh, mild onion flavor and vibrant color as garnish.
• Sesame Seeds: Adds delightful nutty crunch and visual appeal to the final dish.

Tools To Cook Spicy Garlic Beef Stir-Fry

• Wok or Large Skillet: Essential for high-heat stir-frying and getting that perfect sear on beef.
• Small Mixing Bowls: Perfect for marinating beef and mixing sauce ingredients.
• Whisk: Helps blend sauce components smoothly and quickly.
• Cutting Board: Needed for slicing beef and green beans.
• Sharp Knife: Ensures precise, even cuts for meat and vegetables.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure sauce and marinade ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and moving ingredients in the wok.

How To Make Spicy Garlic Beef Stir-Fry

• Prepare the Beef Marinade

Mix sliced beef with soy sauce, cornstarch, and sesame oil. Let it sit and soak up those delicious flavors for 10-15 minutes.

• Whip Up the Flavor Sauce

In a small bowl, blend soy sauce, hoisin, oyster sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, water, and cornstarch until smooth and well combined.

• Sizzle the Green Beans

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in green beans and cook quickly, keeping them crisp and vibrant for 4-5 minutes. Set aside.

• Brown the Beef

Add more oil to the pan. Spread beef in a single layer and let it develop a gorgeous golden crust for 1-2 minutes. Stir-fry until the meat is perfectly browned.

• Enhance with Aromatics

Introduce garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes to the beef. Stir rapidly for about 30 seconds to release their intense flavors.

• Bring Everything Together

Return green beans to the pan. Pour the prepared sauce over the mixture, coating everything evenly. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and glossy.

• Plate and Enjoy

Serve the sizzling stir-fry over fluffy rice. Sprinkle with green onions or sesame seeds for an extra touch of deliciousness.

Tips To Perfect Your Beef Stir-Fry

• Quick Marinating Magic: Let beef marinate longer (up to 30 minutes) for deeper flavor penetration and more tender meat.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust red pepper flakes for mild to fiery heat – start with less and gradually increase according to personal preference.
• Veggie Swap Potential: Replace green beans with broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas for diverse vegetable textures and nutrition.
• Low-Carb Friendly: Swap rice with cauliflower rice or serve over zucchini noodles for a lower-carbohydrate alternative that keeps the dish light and satisfying.
• Protein Power Move: Substitute beef with chicken, tofu, or shrimp to create different protein variations while maintaining the delicious stir-fry technique and flavor profile.

Serving Ideas For Spicy Garlic Beef Stir-Fry

• Family Dinner Delight: Serve this zesty stir-fry in large ceramic bowls for a cozy, restaurant-style presentation that makes everyone feel special.
• Quick Meal Prep Trick: Batch cook extra beef and green beans to create next-day lunch bowls with leftover rice, making weekday meals a breeze.
• Spice Level Customization: Place red pepper flakes and sliced chilies on the side, allowing each person to adjust heat intensity according to their personal preference.
• Garnish Glow-Up: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, or thinly sliced green onions on top to add fresh color, texture, and a burst of additional flavor.

Storing Spicy Garlic Beef Stir-Fry

• Smart Meal Prep Strategy: Chop green beans and slice beef the night before to save 15-20 minutes during cooking. Store ingredients in separate sealed containers in the refrigerator.
• Quick Refrigeration Technique: Store leftover stir-fry in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days. Keep rice separate to maintain its texture and prevent sogginess.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Freeze uncooked marinated beef and blanched green beans in zip-lock bags for future quick meals. Label containers with date and contents for easy tracking.
• Reheating Magic: Warm stir-fry in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or additional sauce to restore moisture and prevent drying. Avoid microwave to maintain meat's tenderness and crisp vegetable texture.

Sizzling Garlic Beef Stir-Fry With Green Beans & Rice Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Delectable spicy garlic beef stir-fry with green beans & rice delivers authentic Asian flavors in mere minutes. Home cooks can savor restaurant-quality cuisine without complex techniques or expensive ingredients.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups green beans, trimmed
• 1 tsp ginger, minced
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (or to taste)
• 2 green onions, sliced (optional)
• 3 tbsps soy sauce
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• ¼ cup water
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• Cooked jasmine or white rice
• Sesame seeds (optional)

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Instructions

1. Marinate: Envelop beef slices in a robust blend of soy sauce, cornstarch, and sesame oil. Rest at room temperature for flavor infusion.
2. Sauce Preparation: Whisk together soy sauce, hoisin, oyster sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, water, and cornstarch into a unified, glossy mixture.
3. Green Bean Transformation: Sear green beans in a blazing skillet with oil, creating a quick char and vibrant emerald hue. Transfer to a holding plate once crisp-tender.
4. Beef Caramelization: Distribute marinated beef across the scorching pan, allowing each slice to develop a golden crust. Stir-fry dynamically until perfectly cooked through.
5. Aromatic Awakening: Introduce minced garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes, rapidly integrating these flavor-boosting ingredients with the seared beef.
6. Final Fusion: Reunite green beans and beef, then cascade the prepared sauce over the mixture. Simmer until the liquid transforms into a clingy, lustrous glaze that coats every ingredient.
7. Serving Finale: Nestle the stir-fry atop steamed rice, crowning with a sprinkle of green onions and toasted sesame seeds for textural contrast and visual appeal.

Notes

• Optimize Meat Texture: Slice beef against the grain for maximum tenderness, ensuring each piece cuts easily and remains juicy during high-heat cooking.
• Control Heat Intensity: Adjust red pepper flakes based on personal spice tolerance – start with less and gradually increase for perfect flavor balance without overwhelming heat.
• Maintain Wok Temperature: Keep skillet or wok blazing hot to achieve authentic stir-fry caramelization, preventing meat from steaming instead of developing golden-brown crust.
• Dietary Adaptation: Swap beef with tofu or chicken for alternative protein options; use tamari instead of soy sauce for gluten-free version, allowing everyone to enjoy this vibrant dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Stir-Frying
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg