Savory Beef Stir-Fry with Oyster Sauce
This Savory Beef Stir-Fry with Oyster Sauce is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights. The rich umami flavor of oyster sauce combined with soy sauce and a hint of sweetness from sugar makes for a delicious sauce that pairs beautifully with tender strips of beef. For best results, consider par-freezing the beef before slicing—this ensures perfectly thin slices that cook up quickly. Toss in colorful vegetables like red onion and capsicum for added nutrition and visual appeal. Serve over steaming rice for a satisfying one-dish meal that will impress your family or guests without taking up too much of your precious time.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Oyster sauce
2 tablespoons (none)
Soy sauce
2 tablespoons (none)
Sugar
1 teaspoon (none)
Sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Cornflour
1 tablespoon (none)
Peanut oil
2 tablespoons (none)
Garlic cloves
2 (chopped)
Ginger
2 teaspoons (chopped)
Red chile
1 (deseeded and chopped)
Filet of beef
200 g (sliced)
Onion
1 small (sliced)
Red capsicum
1 (sliced)
Rice
to serve (cooked)
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, whisk together the oyster sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and cornflour until well combined. Set this sauce mixture aside.
2
Heat 1 tablespoon of peanut oil in a wok over high heat. Once hot, add half of the sliced beef and stir-fry quickly until browned and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes. Remove the beef from the wok and set aside on a plate.
3
Add the remaining tablespoon of peanut oil to the wok, followed by the second batch of beef. Stir-fry until browned, then remove and set aside with the first batch.
4
In the same wok, add the chopped garlic, ginger, and red chili, and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
5
Add the sliced onion and red capsicum to the wok. Stir-fry for about 1 minute until the vegetables are slightly tender but still crisp.
6
Return the cooked beef to the wok along with the prepared sauce mixture. Stir everything together, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until heated through and well combined.
7
Serve immediately over a bed of rice, garnished with additional chili if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I ensure the beef slices are thin enough?
For best results, consider par-freezing the beef before slicing. This makes the meat firmer and allows you to cut perfectly thin strips that cook quickly.
What are the primary flavors in this stir-fry?
The dish features a rich umami flavor profile created by the combination of oyster sauce and soy sauce, balanced with a hint of sweetness from sugar.
What type of oil is recommended for cooking?
Peanut oil is recommended because it has a high smoke point, making it ideal for high-heat stir-frying in a wok.
Why should I cook the beef in batches?
Cooking the beef in batches ensures the wok stays hot enough to brown the meat quickly rather than steaming it in its own juices.
What vegetables are included in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one small sliced red onion and one sliced red capsicum for added nutrition and color.
How long does it take to cook the beef?
Each batch of beef should be stir-fried for about 2-3 minutes until it is browned and cooked through.
What is the purpose of cornflour in the sauce?
Cornflour acts as a thickening agent, giving the sauce a glossy consistency that clings well to the beef and vegetables.
How should the ginger and garlic be prepared?
Both the garlic cloves and the ginger should be finely chopped before being added to the stir-fry.
Is this recipe spicy?
The recipe includes one deseeded and chopped red chili, which provides a mild heat that can be adjusted to your preference.
What should I serve with Savory Beef Stir-Fry?
It is best served over a bed of steaming rice to soak up the flavorful oyster sauce.
How long should I stir-fry the aromatics?
The chopped garlic, ginger, and red chili should be stir-fried for about 30 seconds until they become fragrant.
What is the desired texture of the vegetables?
The onion and red capsicum should be stir-fried for about 1 minute until they are slightly tender but still crisp.
Can I garnish this dish?
Yes, you can garnish the finished stir-fry with additional sliced chili if you prefer more heat and visual appeal.
What cut of beef is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifies using 200g of filet of beef for a tender and high-quality result.
How long does the final mixing step take?
After returning the beef to the wok with the sauce, cook and stir for an additional 1-2 minutes until everything is heated through.
What ingredients are in the stir-fry sauce?
The sauce mixture consists of oyster sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and cornflour.
How much oyster sauce is used?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce.
What kind of chili is used?
The recipe uses one red chili that has been deseeded and chopped.
Is sesame oil necessary?
While only 1/2 teaspoon is used, sesame oil adds a distinct nutty aroma and depth of flavor to the sauce.
What is the first step of the recipe?
The first step is to whisk together the oyster sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and cornflour in a small bowl.
How much ginger is needed?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of chopped ginger.
Is this a quick meal to prepare?
Yes, it is described as a quick and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights.
What category of cuisine does this fall under?
This dish is categorized as Asian cuisine.
Can I use different vegetables?
While onion and capsicum are recommended, the sauce profile works well with various stir-fry vegetables like broccoli or snap peas.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 2 chopped garlic cloves.
Why is sugar added to the sauce?
A small amount of sugar (1 teaspoon) is added to balance the saltiness of the soy and oyster sauces.
Should the chili be deseeded?
Yes, the recipe recommends deseeding the red chili before chopping to control the spice level.
What amount of soy sauce is used?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of soy sauce.
What is the total amount of peanut oil used?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of peanut oil in total, divided for cooking the beef batches.
Does this recipe include rice?
The recipe lists cooked rice as an ingredient to serve with the stir-fry.