Cumin Beef is such a flavorful stir fry - thinly sliced beef marinated for tenderness, then wok-fried with garlic, onions, scallions, chili, and plenty of cumin. The bold aroma of cumin with tender beef makes this dish irresistible, and the best part? You can make it at home in about 20 minutes!
Jump to:
What is cumin beef?
Cumin Beef (孜然牛肉, zī rán niú ròu) is a Chinese stir fry featuring thinly sliced beef cooked with cumin and chili. It's often paired with onions, scallions, garlic, and dried chili peppers, and sometimes seasoned with Sichuan peppercorn for a numbing kick. The result is smoky, spicy, and incredibly aromatic.
Cumin beef origin
Traditionally, this dish is made with lamb - known as Cumin Lamb (孜然羊肉). That's the version you'll see at many Sichuan restaurants.
But interestingly, this dish doesn't actually originate from Sichuan! It comes from the Uyghur community in Xinjiang, Northwest China. The Uyghurs are a Turkic-speaking ethnic group with a cuisine full of bold spices, and cumin is one of their signature flavors.
Over time, dishes like Cumin Lamb spread across China and became especially popular in Sichuan cuisine. Today, you'll find both cumin lamb and cumin beef on the menus of Sichuan and Chinese restaurants worldwide.
How to Cook Cumin Beef (Step by Step)
First gather your ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless beef, thinly sliced (hot pot-style beef works well)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon cooking oil (divided: 1 tablespoon for marinade, 1 tablespoon for stir fry)
- 5 cloves garlic, crushed and roughly chopped
- ½ onion, sliced
- 2 scallions, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 4-8 dried red chili peppers (optional, adjust for heat)
- 2 tablespoon ground cumin (divided: 1 tablespoon for beef, 1 tablespoon for finishing)
- Salt, to taste
Marinate beef: In a bowl, combine sliced beef with cornstarch, soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon oil. Mix well and set aside while prepping the vegetables.
Prep aromatics: Crush and chop garlic cloves, slice onions, and chop scallions.
Cook beef: Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high with 1 tablespoon oil. Add beef and stir fry 2 minutes, then sprinkle in 1 tablespoon cumin. Continue stir frying for another 2-3 minutes until beef is mostly browned. Remove beef, leaving oil/juices in the pan.
Stir fry onions: If the pan is dry, add a touch more oil. Toss in sliced onions and stir fry about 2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
Combine & season: Return beef to the pan along with garlic, scallions, dried chili peppers (if using), remaining 1 tablespoon cumin, and salt to taste. Stir fry everything together 2 minutes, until beef is fully cooked and coated in spices.
Serve: Remove from heat and serve hot with steamed rice.
Storage & Reheat
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for best texture, or microwave in short bursts.
- Freezer: Not recommended, as stir-fried beef can dry out once thawed.
FAQ
Can I use lamb instead of beef?
Yes! The traditional version is made with lamb, and it works beautifully with the same recipe.
Do I need Sichuan peppercorn?
It's optional. For authentic numbing heat, add ½ teaspoon toasted and ground Sichuan peppercorns along with the cumin.
How do I slice beef thinly?
Partially freeze the beef for 30 minutes before slicing. This makes it easier to cut thin, even slices that cook quickly and stay tender. I short cut and buy it from the hot pot section of Asian supermarkets tho!
Is this dish spicy?
It can be! The dried chili peppers add heat, but you can leave them out for a milder version.
Cumin Beef Recipe
Cumin Beef is a bold and flavorful Chinese stir fry made with thinly sliced beef, onions, scallions, garlic, and plenty of cumin. This dish has roots in Uyghur cuisine from Xinjiang, China, but has become a favorite in Sichuan restaurants worldwide. Quick to make and packed with smoky, spicy flavor — perfect served hot over steamed rice.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless beef, thinly sliced (hot pot–style beef works well)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon cooking oil (divided: 1 tablespoon for marinade, 1 tablespoon for stir fry)
- 5 cloves garlic, crushed and roughly chopped
- ½ onion, sliced
- 2 scallions, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 4–8 dried red chili peppers (optional, adjust for heat)
- 2 tablespoon ground cumin (divided: 1 tablespoon for beef, 1 tablespoon for finishing)
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine beef with cornstarch, soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon oil. Let it marinade for at least 15 mins.
- White waiting you can crush the garlic and chop it, slice onions, and chop scallions.
- Heat wok or large skillet over medium-high with 2 tablespoon oil. Add beef and stir fry 2 minutes, then sprinkle in 1 tablespoon cumin. Continue cooking another 2–3 minutes until mostly browned. Remove beef, leaving juices in the pan.
- If needed, add a little more oil. Stir fry onions for about 2 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Return beef to the pan with garlic, scallions, dried chilies (if using), remaining 1 tablespoon cumin, and salt. Stir fry everything 2 minutes until beef is fully cooked and coated with spices.
- Remove from heat and serve hot with rice.
Notes
- Lamb option: Use thinly sliced lamb for the traditional version of this dish.
- Spicier version: Add ground Sichuan peppercorns (about ½ tsp) for numbing heat.
- Beef slicing tip: Partially freeze beef for 30 minutes before slicing to get thin, even pieces.
- Vegetable add-ins: Bell peppers, celery, or carrots can be added for extra crunch.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 606Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 478mgCarbohydrates: 54gFiber: 9gSugar: 29gProtein: 41g
The nutrition information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving. Please double check the nutrition information for your exact ingredients and brands for more precise nutrition information. Keep in mind that if there is a marinade, often times not all the ingredients will be consumed.
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.
- Beef and Onion Stir Fry - A Chinese home-style classic! Sliced beef and onions quickly stir fried in a rich, umami-packed sauce.
- 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!
Pin for later!
Got questions or comments? Drop them below!