Name: Beef with Oyster Sauce
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1 lb beef flank steak (or skirt steak); 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1 tablespoon light soy sauce (or soy sauce); 1 teaspoon peanut oil; 2 teaspoons cornstarch; 1/2 cup chicken broth; 2 tablespoons oyster sauce; 1 tablespoon light soy sauce (or soy sauce); 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce (or soy sauce); 2 teaspoons sugar; 2 teaspoons cornstarch; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 2 tablespoons peanut oil (or vegetable oil); 1/2 white onion, sliced; 3 cloves garlic, sliced; 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, sliced; 1 lb asparagus, tough ends removed and cut into bite-size pieces (or 1 bell pepper)

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This Beef with Oyster Sauce is a savory, tender, and flavorful stir-fry dish. Featuring extra tender beef cooked with crisp asparagus, it’s brought together with a rich and savory oyster sauce-based brown sauce. Quick to prepare, healthy, and satisfying, this dish is perfect for a busy weekday dinner. Plus, it’s gluten-free adaptable, making it suitable for those with dietary preferences or restrictions.

Beef with Oyster Sauce

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Beef with Oyster Sauce brings a balance of savory and sweet flavors that coat the beef and vegetables in a luscious sauce. The beef remains juicy and tender, and the asparagus adds a nice crispness to the dish. It’s the kind of meal that feels indulgent yet is healthy and quick to prepare, making it a go-to for weeknight dinners. Plus, it’s easy to adapt for a gluten-free version by swapping out the soy sauce and oyster sauce for gluten-free alternatives.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Marinating:

1 lb beef flank steak (or skirt steak)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon light soy sauce (or soy sauce)
1 teaspoon peanut oil
2 teaspoons cornstarch

For the Sauce:

1/2 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon light soy sauce (or soy sauce)
1 teaspoon dark soy sauce (or soy sauce)
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon sesame oil

For Stir Fry:

2 tablespoons peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
1/2 white onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, sliced
1 lb asparagus, tough ends removed and cut into bite-size pieces (or 1 bell pepper)

Directions

1. Marinate the Beef:

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the beef, baking soda, soy sauce, peanut oil, and cornstarch. Mix everything well and let it marinate while you prepare the other ingredients.

2. Prepare the Sauce:

In a small bowl, mix together the chicken broth, oyster sauce, soy sauces, sugar, cornstarch, and sesame oil. Stir well to ensure the cornstarch dissolves completely.

3. Stir-Fry the Beef:

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated beef and spread it out into a single layer. Let it cook undisturbed for about 1 minute or until the bottom turns golden. Flip the beef over and cook for another minute until just cooked through. Remove the beef from the pan and set it aside on a plate.

4. Sauté the Aromatics:

In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil, then sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant.

5. Cook the Asparagus:

Add the asparagus (or bell pepper) to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute or until it starts to soften.

6. Add the Sauce:

Stir the sauce again to dissolve any cornstarch that may have settled, then pour it into the pan. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes.

7. Combine and Serve:

Return the cooked beef to the pan and stir to coat everything well in the sauce. Once everything is well mixed and heated through, transfer the dish to a large plate and serve hot.

Servings and Timing

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Variations

Gluten-Free Version: To make this dish gluten-free, swap the soy sauce and oyster sauce with tamari and gluten-free oyster sauce.
Vegetable Options: You can substitute asparagus with other vegetables like bell peppers, snow peas, or broccoli for variation.
Spicy Kick: Add more chili peppers or a dash of Sriracha to the sauce if you like it spicier.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store any leftover Beef with Oyster Sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: To reheat, simply warm the dish on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to keep the sauce from becoming too thick.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories: 269 kcal
Carbohydrates: 10.3g
Protein: 27.2g
Fat: 13.1g
Saturated Fat: 3.3g
Cholesterol: 71mg
Sodium: 656mg
Potassium: 546mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 4.3g
Calcium: 30mg
Iron: 17mg

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes, you can use other cuts of beef like sirloin or rib-eye if you prefer, though flank or skirt steak is ideal for this recipe due to its tenderness.
Can I use other vegetables instead of asparagus?
Absolutely! Feel free to use bell peppers, snow peas, or broccoli in place of asparagus for a similar effect.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
While it’s best fresh, you can prepare the beef and sauce ahead of time, then just reheat and stir-fry the vegetables when you’re ready to serve.
Is there a substitute for sesame oil?
You can use vegetable oil or another neutral oil in place of sesame oil, though you’ll miss out on the signature nutty flavor.

Conclusion

This Beef with Oyster Sauce is a quick, delicious, and easy-to-make dish packed with savory and slightly sweet flavors. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pan meal requires minimal prep and comes together in just 30 minutes. The tender beef and crisp asparagus are coated in a rich sauce that is both satisfying and comforting. Plus, it’s adaptable to be made gluten-free and customized with your favorite vegetables. Serve it with steamed rice or noodles for a complete, flavorful meal!