Snow Peas Beef Stir Fry

This Snow Peas Beef Stir Fry is a quick and delicious Chinese-inspired dish that combines tender marinated beef with crisp, vibrant snow peas. The crunch from the veggies and the savory, slightly sweet sauce make it a perfect weeknight dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• About Snow Peas
• About Thick Soy Sauce
• Best Cut of Beef for Stir Fry
• How to cook Snow Peas Beef Stir Fry (Step by Step)
• Storage & Reheating
• FAQ
• Snow Pea Beef Stir Fry Recipe
• More Delicious Snow Peas Recipes
• Pin for later!

Snow peas also bring back memories of my Grandpa. When I was little, I ate very much like him - meat was always our favorite (especially big chunks of beef - ground meat just didn't hit the same!). But for some reason, Grandpa loved snow peas. As I've gotten older, I've also grown to love them, especially paired with steak in a good stir fry.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Quick & Easy - Ready in about 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
• Balanced & Flavorful - Juicy beef, crisp-tender snow peas, and a savory-sweet sauce.
• Simple Ingredients - Just a few Asian pantry staples + fresh veggies.
• Customizable - Works with chicken, shrimp, or even tofu if you want to switch it up. And you can add other veggies as well! I sometimes like to add mushrooms!

About Snow Peas

Snow peas (荷兰豆 / hé lán dòu) are a popular vegetable in Chinese cooking. They're mild in flavor, slightly sweet, and add a satisfying crunch to stir fries.

• Where to find them: Most grocery stores sell them fresh, often pre-washed and ready to use. Frozen works too in a pinch.
• Prep tip: Remove the tough string along the pod before cooking for the best texture.
• Nutrition: Packed with vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber - while being low in calories.

You can stir fry them (like in this recipe) or eat them raw in salads.

About Thick Soy Sauce

For this recipe, I use Thick Soy Sauce (Soy Paste) instead of regular soy sauce. It's darker, thicker, and has a rich, slightly sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with beef.

• Substitutes:
  • Regular soy sauce + a little sugar (to replace the sweetness).
  • Oyster sauce (similar salty-sweet balance and thicker texture).
  • Cornstarch slurry (to thicken if using light soy sauce).

👉 You can find thick soy sauce at Asian grocery stores or online (Kimlan brand is a popular choice). Here are some on Amazon:

Kimlan Soy Paste / Thick Soy Sauce

Lee Kum Kee Oyster Sauce

Best Cut of Beef for Stir Fry

This recipe works well with a variety of beef cuts. The key is to slice the meat thinly and against the grain so it stays tender when stir fried at high heat. Some good options include:

• Flank steak - lean, flavorful, and ideal for quick stir fries.
• Sirloin - tender enough for high-heat cooking and widely available.
• Chuck or shank - more economical cuts that can work well if sliced very thin and marinated a little longer.

👉 No matter which cut you choose, always slice against the grain to keep the beef tender and juicy. Marinating with soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch also helps lock in flavor and soften the meat.

How to cook Snow Peas Beef Stir Fry (Step by Step)

First, gather your ingredients:

• 1 lb beef, sliced or chunk
• ¼ cup thick soy sauce (soy paste)
• 1 tablespoon rice cooking wine
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 8 oz snow peas, trimmed
• (Optional) Chinese dried red chili pepper

Start by marinating the beef. In a medium bowl, combine the thick soy sauce, rice cooking wine, and cornstarch. Add the beef slices and mix until coated. Let it marinate for 15-30 minutes at room temperature, or refrigerate if preparing ahead.

Heat the cooking oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Once hot, add the beef and garlic. Stir fry for about 1-2 minutes, just until the beef is browned on the outside, then remove from the pan and set aside.

In the same pan, toss in the snow peas and optional dried red chili peppers. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes, until the snow peas are bright green and crisp-tender.

Return the beef and garlic to the pan, tossing everything together for another 30-60 seconds, or until the beef reaches your desired doneness.

Remove from heat immediately and serve hot with steamed rice!

Storage & Reheating

If you have leftovers, let the stir fry cool completely before storing. Place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

For the best results when reheating, warm it in a hot wok or skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if needed. This keeps the snow peas crisp and the beef tender. The microwave works too, but the snow peas may soften more than when freshly cooked. Freezing is not recommended, as snow peas lose their crisp texture once thawed.

FAQ

What if I can't find thick soy sauce?
You can substitute with regular soy sauce and add a small pinch of sugar for sweetness. Oyster sauce is another good option, since it has a similar texture and savory-sweet balance.

Do I need to trim the snow peas?
It's optional, but recommended. Removing the string along the edge gives a more tender bite and better eating experience. Some people (like my mom) demands it!

Can I make this dish spicy?
Definitely! Add dried red chili peppers (as suggested) or toss in a spoonful of chili oil for extra heat.

Can I make it ahead of time?
You can marinate the beef up to a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, just cook everything fresh for the best flavor and texture.

More Delicious Snow Peas Recipes

• For a lighter snow peas dish, try Shrimp and Snow Peas Stir Fry! Tender shrimp with crisp snow peas - perfect weeknight dinner!
• Or if chicken is your preferred protein, check out this Chicken and Snow Peas Stir Fry! Juicy chicken and crunchy snow peas tossed in a savory sauce - simple, healthy and satisfying!
• You can also switch it up and stir fry pork with snow peas and mushrooms! This is a hearty combo of pork, earthy mushrooms, and vibrant snow peas!

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