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Beef with Oyster Sauce (蚝油牛肉) Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 87 reviews

A flavorful Chinese stir-fry featuring tender beef flank steak cooked with asparagus and a rich, savory oyster sauce. This quick and easy dish combines marinated beef with aromatic garlic, ginger, and onions, creating a perfect balance of umami and sweetness. Ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef Marinade

  • 1 lb beef flank steak (or skirt steak)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce (or soy sauce)
  • 1 teaspoon peanut oil
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Sauce

  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce (or soy sauce)
  • 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce (or soy sauce)
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 2 tablespoons peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 1/2 white onion, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 1 thumb ginger, sliced
  • 1 lb asparagus, tough ends removed and cut to bite size pieces (or 1 bell pepper)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the beef: Add the beef and all the beef marinade ingredients into a medium-sized bowl. Mix well to coat the meat evenly, then allow it to marinate while you prepare the other ingredients, enhancing tenderness and flavor.
  2. Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the chicken broth, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, cornstarch, and sesame oil. Stir thoroughly until the cornstarch is fully dissolved to ensure a smooth sauce consistency.
  3. Cook the beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the marinated beef, spreading it out in a single layer without overlapping. Cook until the bottom side turns golden, about 1 minute. Flip and cook the other side until just cooked through, approximately 1 minute more. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside on a large plate.
  4. Sauté the aromatics: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of peanut oil to the same skillet. Add the sliced onion, garlic, and ginger, stirring and cooking for about 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
  5. Cook the asparagus: Add the asparagus pieces to the skillet. Stir-fry them until they just start to soften, about 1 minute, preserving a crisp texture.
  6. Add the sauce: Give the prepared sauce another quick stir to make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved, then pour it into the skillet with the vegetables. Stir the mixture continuously for a few moments until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients nicely.
  7. Combine beef and serve: Return the cooked beef to the skillet and stir everything thoroughly to coat the beef and vegetables with the sauce. Once everything is well combined and heated through, transfer the dish to a large serving plate and serve hot as a main course.

Notes

  • Using baking soda in the marinade helps tenderize the beef.
  • If asparagus is unavailable, substituting with bell pepper offers a different but tasty twist.
  • Adjust the sugar quantity based on your preferred sweetness level.
  • Make sure to dissolve cornstarch properly for a smooth thick sauce.
  • For a gluten-free version, use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce alternatives.

Keywords: Beef with oyster sauce, Chinese beef stir-fry, quick Chinese dinner, beef and asparagus stir-fry, oyster sauce beef recipe

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