Beef and Snap Pea Stir-Fry with Ginger
In short: Thin strips of beef and crisp snap peas stir-fried over high heat with fresh ginger, garlic and a quick soy and rice vinegar sauce in 20 minutes. It takes about 23 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 8 min
- Resting
- 15 min
- Total
- 23 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 310 kcal
A beef stir-fry is one of the fastest dinners you can cook, and it rewards a little preparation. Slice the beef thin, mix the sauce first and keep the pan very hot, and everything finishes in minutes. Snap peas stay crisp and sweet against the savory beef, while ginger and garlic carry the flavor. This is a general-purpose stir-fry sauce, so swap in green beans, broccoli or bell pepper whenever you like.
Instructions
- Toss the beef with 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp cornstarch until each slice is lightly coated. Leave it for 15 minutes.
- Stir the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl until the cornstarch dissolves.
- Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat until it smokes lightly. Add half the oil, then the beef in a single layer, working in two batches if the pan is small.
- Sear the beef for 1 minute without stirring, then stir-fry for 1 minute more until browned. Move it to a plate.
- Add the remaining oil, snap peas and pepper. Stir-fry for 3 minutes until the peas are bright green and just tender but still crisp.
- Add the garlic and ginger and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the sauce and cook for 1 minute until glossy.
- Return the beef and its juices to the pan and toss for 30 seconds until just cooked through. Top with spring onions and serve.
Tips
- Freeze the steak for 20 minutes before slicing to get thin, even strips. The cornstarch coat keeps the beef tender in the hot pan.
- For heat, add 1/2 tsp chili flakes with the garlic. Broccoli florets blanched for 1 minute or green beans can replace the snap peas.
Questions and answers
Why is my stir-fry beef tough?
Usually the pan was not hot enough, so the beef stewed, or the meat was cut with the grain. Slice across the grain, cook in batches and keep the heat high.
Can I use frozen vegetables in a stir-fry?
Yes, add them straight from frozen to a very hot pan, but expect them to be softer. Fresh snap peas keep the best crunch.
What can I serve with a beef stir-fry?
Steamed rice or noodles are the usual choice. For something lighter, serve it over cauliflower rice or with a cucumber salad.
How long does it take to make Beef and Snap Pea Stir-Fry with Ginger?
About 23 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 8 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Beef and Snap Pea Stir-Fry with Ginger?
About 310 kcal per serving, with 28 g of protein, 15 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 310 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 15 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 920 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
