This easy Beef in Oyster Sauce with Bok choy is a healthy and easy weeknight dinner recipe ready in just 30 minutes with Asian inspired flavors!
Beef & Bok Choy
Thinly sliced beef is coated in egg and cornstarch infused with garlic and ginger and fried to crispy perfection. It is paired with tender Bok Choy and onions and tossed in a simple soy and oyster sauce mixture.
This beef in Oyster sauce is a fantastic recipe for a quick weeknight meal. Pair it with some steamed rice or stir fry noodles for a wholesome dinner the whole family will love.
How to thinly slice beef
When it comes to this Beef in Oyster Sauce dish, it is important to thinly slice the beef for the best results. A thick piece of meat will result in a chewy bite. To get perfectly thin beef, here is what you will want to do.
- Choose the Right Meat:
- Opt for a tender cut of beef as it will result in more succulent and flavorful slices. Common choices include sirloin, flank, or ribeye.
- Chill the Meat (Optional):
- For easier slicing, you can partially freeze the beef for about 30 minutes to an hour. This helps firm up the meat, making it easier to achieve thin and even slices. Be cautious not to freeze it solid, as this will make it challenging to cut. At the very least, make sure you are cutting the meat straight from the refrigerator so it is somewhat chilled.
- Use a Sharp Knife:
- Having a sharp knife is essential to making any good cut. I recently purchased these Global knives and love with how sharp they are.
- Trim Excess Fat:
- Trim excess fat and connective tissue from the beef. A leaner cut will be easier to thinly slice.
- Slice Against the Grain:
- Identify the grain or fibers of the meat. The goal is to cut against the grain to shorten the muscle fibers, resulting in a more tender bite.
- Place the beef on the cutting board, and using a sharp knife, start slicing perpendicular to the grain. This means cutting across the lines or fibers you see in the meat. This technique helps break up the muscle fibers, making the meat more tender.
- Slice Evenly:
- Aim for thin, even slices. Generally, slice the beef about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.
How to Make Beef with Oyster Sauce
Add one pound of thinly sliced flank steak to a resealable bag or glass bowl along with the following ingredients,
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 beaten egg white
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons diced garlic
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
Mix everything so the beef is well coated. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes. Meanwhile, thoroughly clean the Bok choy and chop a onion into 1 inch pieces.
Cooking Beef and Bok Choy
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add a generous drizzle of vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add the beef and cook for about one minute on each side. Remove from the pan to a clean plate lined with paper towels. It works best to cook in batches to ensure you don’t overcook the meat.
Add another drizzle of vegetable oil to the pan and cook the onions for 1-2 minutes. Add the Bok choy and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Return the beef to the pan with the vegetables and toss with 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon soy sauce and a teaspoon of sugar. Cook just for a minute, stirring constantly, until the sauce has slightly thickened.
Serve the beef with oyster sauce over rice or with stir-fry noodles for a complete meal.
What is Oyster Sauce?
Oyster sauce is a popular condiment in Asian cuisine, particularly in Chinese cooking. It is a thick, dark brown sauce made from oyster extracts, usually combined with other ingredients to enhance its flavor. The primary components of oyster sauce include oyster juices, soy sauce, sugar, salt, and sometimes additional seasonings.
The flavors that oyster sauce adds to a dish can be described as savory, sweet, and umami-rich. It has a deep, complex taste that complements a wide range of ingredients. Oyster sauce is commonly used as a cooking sauce and a finishing sauce in stir-fries, marinades, and glazes.
More Asian Inspired Dinner Recipes
I enjoy a variety of food and changing up my weeknight dinners. Here are some of our favorite Asian inspired dishes we love.
Beef in Oyster Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
Marinated Beef
- 1 pound beef flank steak*
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 beaten egg white
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons diced garlic
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
Vegetables
- 1 small white onion chopped
- 2 bunches of Bok choy
Oyster Sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoons granulated suager
- sesame seeds
- green onions
Instructions
- Add thinly sliced beef to a resealable bag with the marinade ingredients. Mix everything so the beef is well coated. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a generous drizzle of vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add the beef and cook for one minute on each side. Remove from the pan to a clean plate lined with paper towels. It works best to cook in batches to ensure you don't overcook the meat.
- Add another drizzle of vegetable oil to the pan and cook the onions for 1-2 minutes. Add the Bok choy and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Return the beef to the pan with the vegetables and toss with oyster sauce, soy sauce and sugar. Cook just for a minute, stirring constantly, until the sauce has slightly thickened.
Serve over rice or stir-fry noodles and optionally garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
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