The Perfect Ginger Beef Stir Fry Recipe for Busy Weeknights

Spicy ginger beef stir fry reinvents ordinary weeknight meals into an extraordinary culinary adventure.

Bold and vibrant flavors dance across your palate with each delectable bite.

Traditional Asian-inspired techniques merge seamlessly with robust ingredients that promise intense satisfaction.

Aromatic and complex, this dish delivers a harmonious balance between tender meat and zingy seasonings.

Marinades penetrate deeply, infusing every morsel with remarkable depth and character.

Sophisticated yet approachable, the recipe invites home cooks to elevate their kitchen skills with confidence.

Why Spicy Ginger Beef Stir Fry Will Spice Up Your Dinner

• Unlock Quick Flavor Explosion: This stir fry delivers intense, bold tastes in under 30 minutes with minimal cooking skills required.
• Master Restaurant-Quality Technique: Learn professional wok cooking methods that transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal right in your kitchen.
• Nutrient-Packed Power Meal: Packed with high protein (45g), vibrant vegetables, and balanced macronutrients, this dish fuels your body while satisfying serious hunger cravings.
• Textural Delight Combination: Experience crispy golden ginger, tender beef, crunchy vegetables, and silky sauce that create a multi-dimensional eating experience in every single bite.

Must-Have Ingredients for Spicy Ginger Beef Stir Fry

• Beef: Tender cut preferred, sliced against the grain for maximum tenderness and quick cooking.

• Ginger, Garlic, Onion: Essential flavor base that adds depth and warmth to the stir fry.
• Broccoli, Spring Onions, Mangetout, Spinach: Fresh vegetables providing crunch, color, and nutritional balance.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasoning for enhancing beef and vegetable flavors.
• Chili Flakes: Adds optional heat and spicy kick to the dish.
• Cooking Oil: Neutral oil for high-heat cooking and preventing sticking.

• Soy Sauce: Classic Asian stir fry seasoning for umami and saltiness.
• Rice Vinegar or Cooking Wine: Adds subtle acidity and complexity.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken sauce and create glossy coating.

• Rice: Neutral base that complements the spicy and savory stir fry.

How to Make Spicy Ginger Beef Stir Fry

Step 1: Prep The Beef

Freeze beef for 30 minutes, then slice thinly across the grain to ensure tender, easy-to-eat pieces.

Step 2: Create Crispy Ginger Topping

Heat oil in a wok and fry ginger matchsticks until they turn golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels for a crunchy garnish.

Step 3: Sear The Beef

Season beef with salt and pepper, then quickly sear in the wok until nicely browned. Remove and set aside.

Step 4: Build The Vegetable Base

• Onion
• Minced ginger
• Garlic

• Broccoli
• Spring onions
• Mangetout

Cook briefly to maintain crispness and vibrant color.

Step 5: Create The Sauce And Finish Dish

Prepare and mix sauce ingredients, then pour into the wok and let thicken. Return beef to the wok, toss in spinach, and combine thoroughly. Serve over rice, garnishing with crispy ginger and a sprinkle of chili flakes.

Top Tips for Perfect Spicy Ginger Beef Stir Fry

• Slice with Precision: Partially freeze beef for 30 minutes to make cutting thin, even slices easier and more controlled.
• Maximize Ginger Flavor: Fry ginger matchsticks until golden for a crispy topping that adds intense, aromatic crunch to the stir fry.
• High Heat is Key: Use a scorching hot wok to sear beef quickly, ensuring a beautiful brown exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
• Layer Vegetables Strategically: Add vegetables in order of cooking time, starting with onions and ending with delicate spinach to maintain perfect texture and vibrant colors.
• Sauce Success: Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly before adding to the wok, allowing flavors to blend and create a smooth, glossy coating for the beef and vegetables.

Storing and Reheating Spicy Ginger Beef Stir Fry

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the stir fry will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, maintaining its delicious flavors and textures.
• Reheating Stovetop: Warm your stir fry in a hot wok or skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent drying, stirring gently to distribute heat evenly and restore the dish's original sizzling appeal.
• Freezing Option: Freeze the beef stir fry in freezer-safe containers for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, ensuring the meat remains tender and the vegetables retain their vibrant crunch.

Pairing Spicy Ginger Beef Stir Fry with Rice or Noodles

• Boost Flavor Pairing: A crisp Riesling or Gewürztraminer white wine perfectly complements the spicy ginger beef, balancing the dish's heat with its subtle sweetness and aromatic profile.
• Refreshing Beverage Match: Serve alongside an ice-cold Asian beer like Tsingtao or Sapporo, which cuts through the richness of the beef and provides a clean, refreshing counterpoint.
• Texture-Enhancing Side: Cucumber and mint salad offers a cool, crunchy contrast to the warm stir fry, adding a light and zesty element that cleanses the palate between spicy bites.
• Complementary Grain Option: Swap traditional white rice with fragrant jasmine or coconut rice to elevate the dish's depth and introduce a subtle nutty undertone that harmonizes with the ginger and beef flavors.

Variations of Spicy Ginger Beef Stir Fry to Try

• Zesty Beef Adventure: Swap broccoli with colorful bell peppers and add a splash of lime juice for a tangy Mexican-inspired version.
• Coconut Curry Craze: Incorporate coconut milk into the sauce and sprinkle in some curry powder for a creamy, aromatic South Asian spin.
• Teriyaki Fusion Bowl: Replace the original sauce with homemade teriyaki, using soy sauce, mirin, and a touch of honey, garnishing with toasted sesame seeds.
• Low-Carb Lettuce Wrap Edition: Skip the rice and serve the stir-fry in crisp lettuce leaves for a lighter, carb-conscious alternative that doesn't compromise on flavor.

Ginger Beef Stir Fry Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Spicy Ginger Beef Stir Fry delivers a bold Asian-inspired symphony of flavors dancing on your plate. Tender beef strips sizzle with zesty ginger, creating a quick and irresistible meal that brings restaurant-quality excitement directly to your kitchen.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 350 grams (0.75 pounds) sirloin steak
• 1 large head of broccoli, cut into small florets
• 150 grams (1 packed cup) mangetout (snow peas)
• 2 large handfuls fresh baby spinach

Protein and Aromatics:

• 1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 thumb-sized piece ginger, peeled and minced
• 1 large chunk ginger, peeled and cut into thin matchsticks
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 medium bunch spring onions/scallions, chopped

Seasonings and Sauces:

• 5 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chilli flakes
• 5 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons Chinese rice wine
• 3 tablespoons soft brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water

Serving:

• Boiled rice

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Chill beef in the freezer for 25-35 minutes to facilitate precise, uniform slicing against the grain into thin, delicate strips approximately 1/8 inch (3 millimeters) thick.
2. Prepare crispy ginger garnish by heating vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet, frying ginger matchsticks until golden brown and crisp, then carefully transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
3. Season beef strips generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, then quickly sear in the same wok over high heat until exterior develops a rich, caramelized brown crust, about 2-3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
4. In the same wok, sauté diced onions, minced fresh ginger, and crushed garlic until fragrant and translucent, approximately 1-2 minutes.
5. Add broccoli florets, sliced spring onions, and mangetout (snow peas), stir-frying rapidly to maintain crisp texture and vibrant green color, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes.
6. Whisk sauce ingredients together, creating a glossy, aromatic liquid, then pour into the wok and allow to simmer and thicken for 1-2 minutes.
7. Return seared beef to the wok, gently tossing to coat with sauce and warm through, then fold in fresh spinach leaves until just wilted.
8. Plate over steamed jasmine or basmati rice, garnish with reserved crispy ginger and a sprinkle of red chili flakes for an extra kick of heat.

Notes

• Slice beef when partially frozen to achieve paper-thin cuts that cook quickly and absorb maximum flavor.
• Crispy ginger matchsticks transform from simple ingredient to crunchy garnish, adding unexpected texture and bold aromatic punch.
• Searing beef at high temperature creates delicious caramelized edges, sealing in juices and developing deep umami characteristics.
• Rapid vegetable stir-frying maintains vibrant colors, crisp textures, and preserves essential nutrients for a healthier meal.
• Sauce reduction concentrates sweet, spicy, and savory elements, coating each ingredient with glossy, intense flavor profile.
• Layering ingredients strategically ensures balanced heat distribution and prevents overcooking delicate components like spinach and tender beef slices.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 850 kcal
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 1800mg
• Fat: 50g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 40g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 80g
• Fiber: 10g
• Protein: 45g
• Cholesterol: 120mg