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Beef Stir Fry Recipe with 3 Ingredient Sauce

A quick and easy restaurant-quality beef stir fry with tender beef, crisp vegetables, and a simple 3-ingredient sauce made with soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 340 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Beef and Vegetables

  • 1 pound flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 1 green bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

For the 3-Ingredient Sauce

  • 1/3 cup soy sauce (low-sodium works great)
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar

Instructions
 

  • Slice beef as thinly as possible—about 1/4 inch thick—cutting against the grain. For easier slicing, pop the beef in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before slicing.
  • Toss the sliced beef with cornstarch in a medium bowl, coating each piece evenly. The beef should feel slightly tacky.
  • Whisk together the soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar in a small bowl until the honey dissolves completely. Set aside.
  • Heat your wok or largest skillet over high heat until it's smoking slightly—about 2 minutes. Add one tablespoon of vegetable oil and swirl it around.
  • When the oil shimmers, add half the beef in a single layer. Let it sit undisturbed for 90 seconds until you hear a vigorous sizzle.
  • Flip the beef pieces and cook another 60 seconds until just browned but still slightly pink in the center. Transfer to a clean plate.
  • Repeat with remaining beef, adding a touch more oil if needed. The beef should be golden-brown around the edges with a slightly crispy exterior.
  • Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the hot wok. Toss in the garlic and ginger, stirring constantly for about 20 seconds until fragrant.
  • Add the onions and cook for one minute, stirring frequently.
  • Add the bell peppers and broccoli. Keep everything moving with a spatula, cooking for about 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp with some charred spots.
  • Return the beef and any accumulated juices to the wok with the vegetables.
  • Pour the three-ingredient sauce over everything and toss vigorously for about 60-90 seconds, until the sauce transforms from thin and watery to glossy and thick, coating each piece.
  • When the sauce clings to the beef instead of pooling at the bottom, give it one final toss and remove from heat immediately. Serve over rice.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Flavors deepen overnight. For freezing, use freezer-safe containers and store for up to 3 months. Vegetables may soften slightly upon thawing. Reheat in a hot skillet with a tablespoon of water for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, for best results. The secret to success is having everything prepped before turning on the heat. Cut beef against the grain for tenderness. Use high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan. Add sauce at the very end to prevent burning. If beef is difficult to slice thin, freeze for 15-20 minutes first.