Beef and Onion Stir Fry

Beef and Onion Stir Fry (洋蔥炒牛肉) is a delicious Chinese home-style dish made with tender marinated beef, sweet onions, and a savory sauce. It's easy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for a weeknight dinner served with a bowl of hot steamed rice!

Jump to:

• About the Ingredients
• How to Stir Fry Beef and Onion (Step by Step)
• Tips for the Best Beef and Onion Stir Fry
• Storage & Reheat
• FAQ
• Beef and Onion Stir Fry Recipe
• More Delicious Beef Stir Fry Recipes
• Pin this recipe for later!

The beef is marinated in soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch to help keep it tender and flavorful. The onions are stir-fried until slightly softened but still have a little crunch, and everything comes together in a delicious savory sauce.

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how simple it is! You don't need a ton of ingredients or a complicated sauce to make a really tasty beef stir-fry.

About the Ingredients

Here are some tips and information about the ingredients you'll need to make this Beef and Onion Stir Fry.

Beef

For this recipe, I used ribeye, which is one of my favorite cuts for stir-frying because it's tender and has great flavor from the marbling.

However, you can also use:

• Sirloin: A great everyday option that's flavorful and relatively tender.
• Flat iron steak: Another tender cut that works well for quick stir-fries.
• Flank steak: A leaner option that works well when sliced thinly against the grain.

No matter which cut you choose, the most important thing is to slice the beef thinly against the grain. This shortens the muscle fibers and helps keep the beef tender instead of chewy.

Tip: If your beef is difficult to slice thinly, pop it in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes to firm it up slightly. This makes slicing much easier!

Onions

I used white onions in this recipe, but yellow or sweet onions also work!

• White onions: Have a slightly sharper flavor when raw, but become milder and sweeter when cooked.
• Yellow onions: A great all-purpose choice that becomes sweet and flavorful when stir-fried.
• Sweet onions: Naturally milder and sweeter, making them a good option if you prefer a less pungent onion flavor.

Personally, I like my onions cooked until they're softened but still have a little crunch. However, you can cook them longer if you prefer softer, sweeter onions.

Oyster Sauce

Oyster sauce adds a rich, savory umami flavor that makes this stir-fry extra delicious.

You can use regular oyster sauce or vegetarian oyster sauce. I actually really like the vegetarian kind made with shiitake mushrooms because it has such a delicious savory flavor!

Just keep in mind that vegetarian oyster sauce is usually a little different in flavor and consistency depending on the brand.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is one of my favorite ingredients to use when marinating beef for Chinese stir-fries.

It helps coat the beef, retain moisture during cooking, and gives the meat a more tender texture. It also helps the sauce lightly cling to the beef.

You don't need a lot of it, either!

Soy Sauce and Sesame Oil

Soy sauce provides the savory, salty flavor that forms the base of the marinade.

I recommend using regular light soy sauce rather than dark soy sauce, which is thicker and primarily used for adding color and a richer flavor.

For sesame oil, I like adding a little toasted sesame oil at the end for its nutty aroma. It's optional, but a small amount can add a nice finishing touch.

How to Stir Fry Beef and Onion (Step by Step)

1. Prepare the ingredients

Slice the beef thinly against the grain.

Slice the onion into strips and mince the garlic.

I recommend having all your ingredients ready before you start cooking because stir-frying happens quickly!

2. Marinate the beef

In a bowl, combine the sliced beef with:

• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Cornstarch
• Water
• Sugar
• White pepper
• Cooking oil

Mix everything together until the beef is evenly coated.

Let the beef marinate for about 15-30 minutes in the refrigerator while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

3. Stir-fry the onions

Heat a little cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

Add the sliced onions and stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes, or until they begin to soften.

Add the minced garlic and stir-fry for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Remove the onions and garlic from the skillet and set aside.

Tip: If you prefer softer onions, you can cook them a little longer before removing them from the skillet.

4. Cook the beef

Increase the heat to high and add a little more cooking oil if needed.

Add the marinated beef, including the marinade clinging to it, and spread it out in an even layer.

Let it sear briefly before stir-frying until the beef is almost cooked through.

Important: Avoid overcrowding the skillet! If your pan isn't large enough, cook the beef in two batches so it sears rather than steams.

5. Combine everything

Return the cooked onions and garlic to the skillet with the beef.

Add the remaining soy sauce, oyster sauce, and water.

Stir-fry everything together for another 30-60 seconds, or until the beef is cooked through and the sauce lightly coats the beef and onions.

6. Serve!

Turn off the heat and drizzle with a little toasted sesame oil if desired.

Give everything one final toss and serve immediately over hot steamed rice.

Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Beef and Onion Stir Fry

Here are a few tips to help make this dish turn out delicious every time.

1. Slice the beef against the grain.

This makes a huge difference in tenderness! If you slice with the grain, the beef can end up chewy even if you're using a good cut.

2. Don't skip the marinade.

Marinating the beef with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch helps season the meat and gives it a tender texture.

3. Cook over medium-high to high heat.

Stir-frying is a quick cooking method. You want enough heat to brown the beef without having it sit in the skillet too long.

4. Avoid overcrowding your pan.

If you add too much beef at once, it can release moisture and start steaming rather than browning. Cooking in batches can help!

5. Don't overcook the beef.

Thinly sliced beef cooks quickly. Once it's cooked through, remove it from the heat to prevent it from becoming tough or dry.

Storage & Reheat

How to Store Leftovers

Let the stir fry cool completely before storing. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

Can You Freeze Beef and Onion Stir Fry?

Yes, freeze in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Keep in mind that onions will soften more once thawed, but the flavor will still be great.

Best Way to Reheat

• Stovetop (Best): Heat a skillet over medium heat, add a splash of water or broth, and stir fry for 3-4 minutes until hot.
• Microwave (Quick): Heat in short bursts (about 45 seconds at a time), stirring between each, until warmed through.

FAQ

What is the best cut of beef for stir-frying?

Ribeye, sirloin, and flat iron steak are all great choices.

I used ribeye for this recipe because it's tender and flavorful, but you don't have to use an expensive cut to make a delicious stir-fry!

Flank steak is another option. Just be sure to slice it thinly against the grain.

Can I marinate the beef overnight?

Yes, you can marinate it overnight in the refrigerator if you want to prepare it ahead of time.

However, because the marinade contains soy sauce and oyster sauce, the beef may become saltier the longer it sits.

For this recipe, 15-30 minutes is usually enough to give the beef plenty of flavor.

Can I make this without oyster sauce?

Yes! If you don't have oyster sauce, you can use a little additional soy sauce with a pinch of sugar.

The flavor won't be exactly the same, since oyster sauce adds richness and umami, but it'll still be tasty.

You can also use vegetarian mushroom-based oyster sauce, which is one of my favorite substitutes.

How do I keep the beef tender?

The most important things are slicing the beef thinly against the grain, marinating it with cornstarch, and avoiding overcooking.

Cooking the beef in batches also helps prevent overcrowding, so it can brown quickly rather than steaming in its own juices.

Can I add other vegetables?

Absolutely! Bell peppers, snow peas, and baby corn are all delicious additions.

If you're adding vegetables, keep in mind that some may take longer to cook, so you might want to stir-fry them separately before combining everything.

More Delicious Beef Stir Fry Recipes

• Beef Noodles Stir Fry - Marinated beef stir fried with garlic, carrots, onions, snow peas, and tender noodles in a flavorful sauce. A satisfying one-pan dish!
• Beef and Vegetables Stir Fry - A quick stir fry with juicy beef, baby corn, asparagus, and carrots in a savory sauce. Simple, healthy, and super tasty.
• Mongolian Beef Stir Fry - Tender beef and onions cooked in a sweet-savory sauce. A restaurant favorite made easy at home!
• Beef Yu Choy Stir Fry - Tender beef paired with crunchy yu choy (a leafy Chinese veggie) in a garlicky soy-based sauce. Simple and satisfying!

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