If you've ever had Taiwanese stir fries, you've probably come across this dish - Shacha Beef with Water Spinach (沙茶牛肉炒空心菜). It's savory, garlicky, and packed with umami from shacha sauce, with tender slices of beef and crisp-tender water spinach (空心菜). It's one of those simple dishes that doesn't look fancy… but once you taste it, you'll want to make it again and again.
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This is also a super common dish in Taiwan - you'll find it everywhere from home kitchens to 熱炒 (Taiwanese stir fry restaurants).
Why You'll Love This Dish
- Quick and easy - ready in about 20 minutes
- Packed with umami from shacha sauce
- A classic Taiwanese stir fry you can make at home
- Perfect with a bowl of rice
- Easy to customize with different proteins (like lamb!)
What is Shacha Sauce (沙茶醬)?
Shacha sauce is a Taiwanese/Chinese condiment made with ingredients like dried seafood, garlic, shallots, oil, and spices.
It has a savory, slightly smoky, umami-rich flavor that's often used in:
- Stir fries
- Hot pot dipping sauces
- Noodle dishes
👉 It's the key ingredient that gives this dish its signature taste!
The one we always get is Bullhead Barbecue Sauce:
How to Prep Water Spinach (空心菜)
Water spinach cooks quickly, but the stems and leaves cook at different speeds.
We like to separate the thicker stems from the leafy tops when prepping. Cut the stems into 2-3 inch pieces and keep the leaves whole or roughly chopped.
Since the stems are firmer, they benefit from a slightly longer cook time, while the leaves only need a quick toss at the end. This helps everything cook evenly without the leaves getting too soft.
Ingredients
For the Beef:
- 8 oz beef (thinly sliced - flank, sirloin, or ribeye)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon oil
For the Stir Fry:
- 1 bunch water spinach (空心菜), cut into 2-3 inch pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-2 tablespoons shacha sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- 1 tablespoon oil
How to Make Shacha Beef with Water Spinach
(Optional) Lightly Coat the Beef
If using very thin sliced beef (like hot pot beef), you can skip a full marinade.
Simply toss the beef with cornstarch and oil, or skip entirely. But if you aren't you can marinate the beef for stir fry with soy sauce, rice wine, corn starch, sesame oil, garlic, and sugar.
Cook the Beef with Shacha Sauce
Heat oil in a wok or pan over high heat.
Add garlic and stir fry until fragrant.
Add the beef and stir fry until just cooked through.
Add shacha sauce and toss to coat.
👉 Remove from pan and set aside.
Stir Fry the Water Spinach
In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed.
Add the water spinach stems first and stir fry briefly, then add the leaves and cook until just wilted.
Combine & Season
Return the beef to the pan.
Add soy sauce and sugar (if using), and toss everything together for 1-2 minutes.
Serve
Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice.
Substitutions & Variations
- No water spinach? Use spinach, bok choy, or napa cabbage
- Use lamb instead of beef for a bolder flavor (沙茶羊肉空心菜)
- Add chili for a spicy kick
- Add mushrooms for extra umami
What to Serve With
- Steamed white rice 🍚
- Simple soup (like egg drop soup or miso soup)
- Other stir fried veggies
Storage & Reheating
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Reheat in a pan or microwave until warmed through
Shacha Beef with Water Spinach Stir Fry
Shacha Beef with Water Spinach Stir Fry is a classic Taiwanese stir fry made with tender beef, garlic, and crisp water spinach tossed in savory, umami-rich shacha sauce. It’s quick, simple, and perfect served with a bowl of rice for an easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
For the Beef:
- 8 oz beef (thinly sliced – flank, sirloin, ribeye, or hot pot sliced beef)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon oil
For the Stir Fry:
- 1 bunch water spinach (空心菜), stems and leaves separated, cut into 2–3 inch pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1–2 tablespoons shacha sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- 1 tablespoon oil
Instructions
- Prep the Beef
Lightly toss the beef with cornstarch and oil. If using very thin hot pot sliced beef, this step is optional. - Cook the Beef
Heat oil in a wok or pan over high heat. Add garlic and stir fry until fragrant.
Add beef and cook until just done. Stir in shacha sauce and toss to coat.
Remove from pan and set aside. - Stir Fry the Water Spinach
In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed.
Add the stems first and stir fry briefly, then add the leaves and cook until just wilted. - Combine & Season
Return the beef to the pan. Add soy sauce and sugar (if using), and toss everything together for 1–2 minutes. - Serve
Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice.
Notes
- Using hot pot sliced beef is a great shortcut and works perfectly in this dish
- No full marinade needed if the beef is very thin - cornstarch alone helps keep it tender
- Cook the beef and vegetables separately to avoid overcooking
- Water spinach cooks quickly - don’t overdo it or it can become too soft
- Adjust shacha sauce to taste (it’s very flavorful!)
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: ⅓ of recipeAmount Per Serving: Calories: 312Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 345mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 22g
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!
If you love this shacha beef stir fry, here are some more easy and flavorful beef stir fry recipes to try:
- Beef Vegetables Stir Fry
A classic and versatile stir fry with tender beef, crisp vegetables, and a savory sauce - perfect for a quick weeknight meal. - Stir Fry Ground Beef
An easy and budget-friendly option made with ground beef, garlic, onions, and a simple soy-based sauce. - Beef Yu Choy Stir Fry (牛肉炒油菜 / 菜心)
Tender beef stir fried with yu choy (choy sum) in a light, savory sauce - simple, fresh, and delicious. - Beef Stir Fry Marinade
Want perfectly tender beef every time? This easy marinade is great for any beef stir fry recipe.
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