Tasty 5-Ingredient Crispy Honey-Garlic Beef Stir-Fry Recipe

Crispy honey-garlic beef stir-fry revamps weeknight dinners into flavor-packed adventures.

Bold Asian-inspired ingredients dance together in a sizzling wok, creating irresistible textures and aromas.

Sweet meets savory in this mouthwatering culinary creation that guarantees instant satisfaction.

Tender beef pieces get coated in a golden, caramelized glaze that promises maximum deliciousness.

Every bite combines crunchy exterior with succulent meat, delivering a harmonious blend of contrasting sensations.

Quick cooking techniques ensure restaurant-quality results without complicated preparation or extensive kitchen skills.

Home cooks can easily elevate their meal game with this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Ingredient Rundown for Honey-Garlic Stir-Fry

• Beef Flank or Skirt Steak: Tender cut with rich flavor, best sliced against the grain for maximum tenderness.
• Scallions: Fresh, mild onion flavor that adds brightness and color to the dish.

• Honey: Natural sweetener that creates a glossy, caramelized coating.
• Soy Sauce or Tamari: Provides deep umami and salty complexity to the sauce.
• Shaoxing Wine or Dry Sherry: Adds depth and authentic Chinese cooking flavor.
• Water: Helps balance and thin the sauce for even coating.

• Green Beans: Crisp vegetable that adds nutritional value and textural contrast.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that brings intense, pungent flavor to the dish.
• Cornstarch: Helps create a crispy coating on the beef and thickens the sauce.
• Vegetable or Canola Oil: Neutral oil perfect for high-heat stir-frying.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall seasoning and brings out natural flavors.

• White Rice: Classic accompaniment that absorbs the delicious sauce perfectly.

Directions for Stir-Frying to Perfection

Step 1: Prepare Beef Strips

Slice the steak into wide strips crosswise, then cut into thin pieces. Gently toss the beef with soy sauce to add flavor and tenderize the meat.

Step 2: Chop Vegetable Companions

Prepare the green beans by trimming ends. Peel and mince garlic cloves. Slice scallions, keeping white and green parts separate for layered flavor.

Step 3: Create Flavor-Packed Sauce

• Honey
• White wine
• Soy sauce
• Water

Blend ingredients until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Crisp Up the Beef

Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Coat beef pieces in cornstarch for extra crispiness. Fry until golden and crunchy. Transfer beef to a plate and set aside.

Step 5: Sauté Vegetables

In the same pan, stir-fry green beans and minced garlic. Cook until beans are tender-crisp and bright green.

Step 6: Combine and Coat

Return crispy beef to the pan. Pour the prepared sauce over the meat and vegetables. Toss everything together, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle chopped scallion greens on top for a fresh finish. Serve immediately with steamed white rice for a complete meal.

Tips for Crunchy Beef with Sticky Sauce

• Master Meat Slicing: Cut steak against the grain for maximum tenderness, ensuring each piece is thin and uniform for quick, even cooking.
• Cornstarch Coating Trick: Thoroughly dry beef before dusting with cornstarch to achieve an ultra-crispy exterior that locks in juicy flavor.
• High-Heat Hero: Use a blazing hot pan to create that perfect sear, developing rich caramelization without overcooking the meat.
• Sauce Timing Technique: Add sauce in the final moments of cooking to prevent burning and allow it to beautifully glaze the beef and green beans.
• Freshness Finale: Sprinkle freshly chopped scallion greens just before serving to add a bright, crisp flavor and vibrant color to the dish.

Best Practices for Reheating This Stir-Fry

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled stir-fry to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze: Pack leftovers in freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 2 months.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water to prevent drying and restore moisture. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating and maintain the beef's crispy texture.

Great Sidekicks for Honey-Garlic Beef

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Choose a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel to complement the rich, crispy beef's deep flavors and balance the sweet-savory honey-garlic sauce.
• Serve Alongside Crisp Asian Beer: Grab a Japanese Sapporo or Chinese Tsingtao to cut through the dish's richness and refresh your palate with its light, effervescent character.
• Create Textural Contrast with Rice: Fluffy white rice perfectly absorbs the flavorful sauce while providing a neutral base that highlights the stir-fry's vibrant taste profile.
• Enhance with Pickled Vegetable Side: Add quick-pickled cucumber or radish to introduce a tangy, crunchy element that brightens the meal and provides a palate-cleansing counterpoint to the savory beef.

Stir-Fry Variants You’ll Want to Try

• Spicy Szechuan Style: Replace honey with spicy chili sauce, add Szechuan peppercorns for intense heat. Incorporate diced bell peppers for extra crunch and color. Swap green beans with broccoli florets for a different vegetable profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Substitute soy sauce with balsamic vinegar, add dried oregano and thyme. Include kalamata olives and sun-dried tomatoes for Mediterranean flair. Use lamb instead of beef for a rich, hearty alternative.
• Coconut Curry Fusion: Blend coconut milk into the sauce, incorporate mild curry powder and ginger. Replace green beans with snap peas for added sweetness. Garnish with fresh cilantro and toasted coconut flakes for tropical notes.
• Korean BBQ Inspiration: Swap honey for gochujang sauce, add sesame oil and rice vinegar. Include kimchi as a side dish for authentic Korean flavors. Top with toasted sesame seeds and green onions for extra texture and aroma.

What Stands Out in Crispy Honey-Garlic Beef Stir-Fry

• Crunch into Crispy Perfection: The cornstarch coating transforms beef into incredibly crispy, golden-brown bites that deliver a satisfying texture with every mouthful.
• Speedy Flavor Explosion: This stir-fry comes together in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight meal for busy home cooks craving restaurant-quality flavors without lengthy preparation.
• Balanced Sweet-Savory Harmony: The honey and soy sauce create a mouthwatering glaze that perfectly balances sweet and umami notes, coating tender beef and fresh green beans in a delightful sauce.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimizing dishes and maximizing flavor, this recipe uses a single pan for cooking, reducing cleanup time and making meal preparation simple and stress-free.

Crispy Honey-Garlic Beef Stir-Fry Recipe

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4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy honey-garlic beef stir-fry delivers bold Asian-inspired flavors with tender beef glazed in sweet-savory sauce. Sizzling wok techniques and quick cooking ensure restaurant-quality results that make dinner both exciting and effortless for home chefs.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) beef flank or skirt steak

Vegetables:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) green beans
• 4 cloves garlic
• 3 medium scallions

Sauce Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) honey
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) soy sauce or tamari
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) water

Coating and Cooking Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (30 grams) cornstarch
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) vegetable or canola oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) soy sauce or tamari
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) water
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Serving:

• Cooked white rice

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Instructions

1. Slice beef against the grain into thin, bite-sized strips, ensuring uniform thickness for even cooking. Marinate the meat with a splash of soy sauce to enhance flavor and tenderness.
2. Prepare supporting ingredients by trimming green beans and finely mincing fresh garlic. Separate scallion whites and greens, chopping each section distinctly for layered garnishing.
3. Create a harmonious sauce by blending honey, rice wine, additional soy sauce, and water, whisking until ingredients integrate smoothly.
4. Dust beef pieces with cornstarch, shaking off excess for a delicate coating. Heat a large skillet with oil until shimmering, then carefully place meat to achieve a golden, crispy exterior.
5. Once beef reaches desired crispness, transfer to a holding plate, maintaining temperature and texture.
6. In the same skillet, sauté green beans and garlic, allowing vegetables to develop a slight char and retain crispness.
7. Return crispy beef to the pan, pour prepared sauce over the ingredients, and gently toss to ensure complete coating and heat distribution.
8. Finish the dish by scattering freshly chopped scallion greens across the top for a vibrant, aromatic garnish.
9. Serve immediately alongside steamed white rice, allowing the sauce to slightly soak into the grains for maximum flavor absorption.

Notes

• Prep like a pro by slicing steak against the grain for maximum tenderness and quick cooking.
• Cornstarch creates that irresistible crispy exterior, sealing in juicy beef flavors during high-heat frying.
• Cooking green beans briefly preserves their vibrant color and satisfying crunch, balancing the rich meat perfectly.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg