Description
This Oyster Sauce Beef & Onion Stir-Fry is a quick and flavorful Asian-inspired main course that features tender flank steak stir-fried with caramelized onions in a savory oyster sauce blend. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this dish combines the richness of oyster sauce with fragrant garlic and a hint of sesame oil for an irresistibly delicious meal served best with steamed rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Marinade
- 1 pound flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional for marinating)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (optional for marinating)
Stir-Fry Sauce
- 1/3 cup oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Oils
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar, cornstarch, water, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Heat the Pan and Cook Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add the thinly sliced beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until just browned but not fully cooked through. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the Onions: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the pan. Add the sliced onions and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing them to soften and develop a light caramelization.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, making sure not to burn the garlic.
- Combine Beef and Sauce: Return the cooked beef to the pan with the onions and garlic. Pour the prepared sauce over the beef mixture and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the beef and onions evenly.
- Finish with Sesame Oil: Drizzle 1/2 teaspoon of sesame oil over the stir-fry, toss everything together to combine, then remove the pan from heat.
- Serve: Serve the oyster sauce beef and onion stir-fry hot, ideally paired with steamed rice to soak up the savory sauce.
Notes
- For extra tenderness, marinate the beef for 10 minutes with 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon soy sauce before cooking.
- Add sliced bell peppers or snow peas to the stir-fry to increase the vegetable content and add color.
- Use a very hot pan or wok to achieve a good sear on the beef and to caramelize the onions properly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
