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### Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
While the beef is marinating, you can prepare the sauce:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together **2 tablespoons soy sauce**, **2 tablespoons oyster sauce**, **1 tablespoon hoisin sauce**, **1 tablespoon sugar**, **1 teaspoon sesame oil**, and **1 teaspoon rice vinegar**. Add **1/4 cup water** or **beef broth** to thin the sauce.
2. In a separate small bowl, mix **1 tablespoon cornstarch** with **1 tablespoon water** to create a slurry. This will be used to thicken the sauce at the end of cooking.
Set both the sauce and cornstarch slurry aside for later use.
### Step 3: Stir-Fry the Vegetables
To keep the dish simple and quick, use vegetables that cook quickly. Bell peppers and onions work perfectly, but feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms, snow peas, or broccoli.
1. **Heat the Wok**: Place a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add **1 tablespoon of vegetable oil**.
2. **Stir-Fry the Vegetables**: Add the sliced **onions** and **bell peppers** to the wok. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes, or until the vegetables are just tender but still crisp. You want them to maintain some texture in the final dish.
3. **Add the Garlic**: Add the minced garlic and stir-fry for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Then remove the vegetables from the wok and set them aside.
### Step 4: Stir-Fry the Beef
Now that your vegetables are cooked and your sauce is prepared, it’s time to cook the beef:
1. **Heat the Wok**: Add the remaining **1 tablespoon of vegetable oil** to the wok and heat over medium-high heat.
2. **Cook the Beef**: Add the marinated beef to the wok in a single layer. Let it cook for about 1-2 minutes without stirring to allow it to sear. Once the beef starts to brown, stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until it is fully cooked and browned on all sides.
3. **Add the Sauce**: Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and stir to combine. Let the sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes to thicken slightly and coat the beef evenly.
### Step 5: Combine Beef and Vegetables
1. Once the beef is cooked and the sauce has thickened, add the stir-fried vegetables back into the wok. Toss everything together, ensuring the beef and vegetables are evenly coated with the sauce. Stir-fry for an additional 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
2. **Thicken the Sauce**: If the sauce is not thick enough, add the cornstarch slurry (the mixture of cornstarch and water) to the wok. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
### Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once everything is well combined and the sauce has reached your desired thickness, remove the wok from the heat. Garnish with freshly chopped **green onions** for a pop of color and flavor.
Serve the tender beef over a bed of steamed **white rice**, **brown rice**, or **noodles** for a complete meal. You can also serve it with a side of steamed vegetables or a simple salad to balance out the richness of the dish.
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## Tips for Perfect Chinese-Style Tender Beef
– **Use the Right Cut of Beef**: Flank steak, sirloin, or ribeye are ideal for stir-frying. These cuts are tender and absorb flavors well. Tougher cuts can be used, but they may require additional tenderizing methods.
– **Velveting the Beef**: This is the key to making your beef tender. The egg white and cornstarch marinade ensures that the beef stays moist and tender during stir-frying.
– **High Heat**: Stir-frying at high heat is essential for achieving that signature sear on the beef while keeping it juicy. It also helps cook the vegetables quickly while maintaining their crispness.
– **Sauce Balance**: Taste the sauce before adding it to the beef. Adjust the seasoning if needed by adding a little more soy sauce for saltiness or sugar for sweetness.
– **Customize Vegetables**: Feel free to experiment with vegetables based on your preferences. Carrots, mushrooms, baby corn, or snap peas can all work well in this dish.
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## Variations
While this recipe is fantastic as is, there are plenty of ways to customize it according to your preferences. Here are a few ideas:
– **Spicy Beef**: Add sliced **chili peppers** or **chili paste** to the sauce to make it spicy. You can also add **Sriracha** or **chili oil** for a more intense heat.
– **Mongolian Beef**: For a slightly sweeter version of this dish, add **hoisin sauce** and **brown sugar** to the sauce. Serve it with **green onions** for a traditional Mongolian-style dish.
– **Beef with Broccoli**: Add **steamed broccoli** to the stir-fried beef for a classic combination that adds extra texture and nutrition to the dish.
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## Conclusion
This **Simple & Fast Chinese-Style Tender Beef** recipe is perfect for anyone looking to make a quick, delicious, and tender beef dish. With minimal prep time, easy-to-find ingredients, and a few simple
techniques, you can recreate the flavors of your favorite Chinese restaurant at home.
The velveting technique ensures the beef is perfectly tender, while the savory sauce adds depth and richness. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or impressing guests with your culinary skills, this dish is sure to satisfy everyone at the table.
By using fresh vegetables and customizing the sauce to your taste, you can make this dish your own and enjoy the flavors of authentic Chinese cuisine right in the comfort of your kitchen.
