Tender Beef Stir-Fry in Chinese Style

Tender Beef Stir-Fry in Chinese Style is a medium Chinese recipe that serves 4. 350 calories per serving.

Prep: 1 hr 10 min | Cook: 12 min | Total: 1 hr 32 min

Cost: $7.82 total, $1.95 per serving

Ingredients

  • 450 g Beef (e.g., flank steak) (slice against the grain into 2‑3 mm thin slices)
  • 1.5 tsp Baking soda (to raise pH and tenderize)
  • 300 ml Ice-cold water (add gradually to the meat)
  • 1 Stück Egg white (for coating)
  • 2 tbsp Cornstarch (1 tbsp for the first marinade, 1 tbsp to thicken the sauce)
  • nach Geschmack Black pepper (freshly ground)
  • 1 tsp Sugar (lightly sweet, balances the soy sauce)
  • eine Prise Salt
  • 1 Leek (white part separate, green part for garnish)
  • 1 mittelgroß Onion (sliced into strips)
  • 2-3 Garlic cloves (finely chopped)
  • 1 EL gerieben Fresh ginger
  • 1.5 tbsp Rice wine (Shaoxing) (for deglazing, flavor)
  • 2 tbsp Soy sauce (light)
  • 1 tbsp Dark soy sauce (or oyster sauce) (for color and depth)
  • 50 ml Water (for sauce)
  • 4 tbsp Vegetable oil (e.g., peanut or canola oil) (for high-heat searing)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the meat

    Remove tendons and silver skin, examine the grain direction and slice the meat into 2‑3 mm thin slices against the grain.

    Time: PT15M

  2. Make the first marinade

    Stir the baking soda with a little ice‑cold water, then add to the meat and mix well.

    Time: PT5M

  3. First marination time

    Let the meat marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.

    Time: PT15M

  4. Rinse off the baking soda

    Rinse the meat thoroughly under running water, let it drain and pat dry with paper towels.

    Time: PT5M

  5. Second coating

    Add egg white, 1 tbsp cornstarch, a pinch of salt, pepper and sugar to the meat and mix well.

    Time: PT5M

  6. Second resting time

    Let the meat rest for another 15 minutes so the coating can absorb.

    Time: PT15M

  7. Prepare the vegetables

    Separate the leek into white and green parts, slice the white part into strips, slice the onion into strips, finely chop garlic and ginger.

    Time: PT10M

  8. Stir-fry the vegetables

    Heat 2 tbsp oil in the wok over high heat, quickly stir-fry the onion and white leek for 3 minutes, then transfer to a plate.

    Time: PT3M

    Temperature: 200°C

  9. Reheat the wok

    Add more oil to the wok and heat to high temperature (about 200 °C).

    Time: PT1M

    Temperature: 200°C

  10. Sear the meat in batches

    Add the meat in 2‑3 batches to the hot wok, spread flat and sear for 2 minutes without stirring, then flip.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: 200°C

  11. Add aromatics

    Add garlic and ginger to the meat and stir-fry for 1 minute.

    Time: PT1M

    Temperature: 200°C

  12. Deglaze with rice wine

    Add rice wine and let it evaporate briefly until the liquid is almost gone.

    Time: PT1M

    Temperature: 200°C

  13. Stir in the sauce

    Stir in soy sauce, dark soy sauce and 50 ml water, bring to a brief boil.

    Time: PT1M

    Temperature: 200°C

  14. Thicken the sauce

    Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water and add to the pan, simmer for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: 200°C

  15. Return the vegetables

    Add the sautéed leek, onion and, if using, the green leek part back into the wok, mix well and heat for 1 minute.

    Time: PT1M

    Temperature: 200°C

  16. Serve

    Plate immediately and enjoy hot.

    Time: PT0M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
350
Protein
30 g
Carbohydrates
10 g
Fat
15 g
Fiber
2 g

Dietary info: Contains Egg, Contains Soy, High Protein, low-carb, high-protein, low-calorie

Allergens: Egg, Soy, Gluten

Last updated: March 14, 2026

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Tender Beef Stir-Fry in Chinese Style

A classic Chinese beef stir-fry where the meat is marinated with baking soda, egg white and cornstarch to make even tough pieces tender and juicy. Quickly pan-fried with leeks, onion, garlic and ginger and served with a light soy sauce glaze.

MediumChineseServes 4

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Source Video
1h 14m
Prep
8m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
1h 32m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$7.82
Total cost
$1.95
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Slice the meat against the grain into very thin slices
  • Let the baking soda marinade act for 15 minutes and then rinse thoroughly
  • Sear the meat in small batches so it doesn't lose too much juice

Safety Warnings

  • Hot oil can splatter – keep a distance and use a splatter guard if needed.
  • Avoid burns when handling a very hot wok.

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