Beef with Bitter Melon Stir Fry aka 苦瓜牛肉 – who would’ve thought something bitter could be yummy? Not me when I was a child, but now as an adult, I appreciate the unique flavors of this dish. This is a go to when we want bitter melon!
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What is Bitter Melon?
Bitter melon, aka bitter gourd, is part of the gourd family – closely related to zucchini, squash, and cucumber.
Many Asian cuisine uses bitter melon as an ingredient, including Chinese, Indian, Burmese, Indonesian, Thai, and more.
This gourd is known for its bitter tasty and bumpy appearance. It can definitely be known for its acquired taste, but some still like to eat it due to its health benefits.
Bitter melons is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, fiber, and Iron. It can also help reduce blood sugar, decrease cholesterol, and may have cancer fighting properties!
If you want to check out bitter melons, check out some of my favorite bitter melon recipes!
How to cook Beef with Bitter Melon Stir Fry
First gather your ingredients:
- ½ lb beef, cut in to strips
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 bitter melon, halved and sliced ¼-inch thick
- 2 cloves of garlic, smashed
- 1 tablespoon douchi aka black beans
- 1 teaspoon garlic chili sauce
Add the beef with soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch in a large mixing bowl. Let this marinade for at least 15 minutes (up to over night).
If you haven't already sliced the bitter melons, this is a great time to do it. Cut it half way through length-wise first, then slice it ¼-inch thick.
In a large mixing bowl, fill with water and ice. Set aside. In a pot of boiling water, add bitter melon and let it blanch for 1 minute, and then remove bitter melon from boiling water and transfer to the ice water. Drain and set aside.
Heat a wok or large skillet with 2 tablespoon vegetable oil with garlic and douchi (black beans), and when oil is hot add beef and cook stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes or until the meat is mostly browned.
Add sliced bitter melons, and stir fry over high heat about 3 minutes, and add beef back in to wok/skillet.
Add garlic chili sauce and stir fry for another 2 minutes or until meat is cooked thoroughly and bitter melon is softened but still crisp.
Remove from heat and serve!
Beef with Bitter Melon Stir Fry
Beef with Bitter Melon Stir Fry aka 苦瓜牛肉 - Marinated beef stir fried with sliced bitter melon and douchi (black beans) sauce.
Ingredients
- ½ lb beef, cut in to strips
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 bitter melon, halved and sliced ¼-inch thick
- 2 cloves of garlic, smashed
- 1 tablespoon douchi aka black beans
- 1 teaspoon garlic chili sauce
Instructions
- Add the beef with soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch in a large mixing bowl. Let this marinade for at least 15 minutes (up to over night).
- If you haven’t already sliced the bitter melons, this is a great time to do it. Cut it half way through length-wise first, then slice it ¼-inch thick.
- In a large mixing bowl, fill with water and ice. Set aside. In a pot of boiling water, add bitter melon and let it blanch for 1 minute, and then remove bitter melon from boiling water and transfer to the ice water. Drain and set aside.
- Heat a wok or large skillet with 2 tablespoon vegetable oil with garlic and douchi (black beans), and when oil is hot add beef and cook stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes or until the meat is mostly browned.
- Add sliced bitter melons, and stir fry over high heat about 3 minutes, and add beef back in to wok/skillet.
- Add garlic chili sauce and stir fry for another 2 minutes or until meat is cooked thoroughly and bitter melon is softened but still crisp.
- Remove from heat and serve!
Recommended Products
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LEE KUM KEE Chili Garlic Sauce, 368 GR -
Hiware 10-Pairs Fiberglass Chopsticks - Reusable Chopsticks Dishwasher Safe, 9 ½ Inches - Black -
Eleulife Wok Pan with Lid, 13 Inch Carbon Steel Wok with Spatula, Nonstick Woks and Stir-fry Pans, No Chemical Coated Flat Bottom Chinese Wok for Induction, Electric, Gas Stove, All Stoves -
L.k.k Panda Brand Oyster Sauce 18oz -
Wan Ja Shan Organic Aged Soy Sauce, 33.8fl.oz -
Koon chun Party Time -- Chinese Douchi - Fermented Black Beans - 16 Oz Bag Each
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 295Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 545mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 5gSugar: 1gProtein: 20g
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.
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More Delicious Beef Stir Fry Recipes!
If you’re craving something quick, hearty, and packed with flavor, these beef stir fry recipes are sure to hit the spot:
- Beef, Mushroom, and Broccoli Stir Fry – Savory, garlicky, and super satisfying. Tender marinated beef is stir fried with fresh broccoli and mushrooms in a delicious sauce—perfect for busy weeknights.
- Broccoli Beef Stir Fry – A Chinese takeout favorite made easily at home! Sliced beef and crisp-tender broccoli tossed with garlic and a tasty marinade.
- Beef and Vegetables Stir Fry – A colorful mix of baby corn, asparagus, and carrots stir fried with marinated beef for a wholesome, tasty dish.
- Beef Yu Choy Stir Fry – Juicy beef meets tender yu choy (a leafy green) in this simple and savory stir fry.
- Beef Noodles Stir Fry – Everything you want in one pan: marinated beef, crisp veggies, and chewy noodles tossed in a flavorful sauce.