Spicy Garlic Beef Stir-Fry with Green Beans & Rice is a vibrant and satisfying dish perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner. It combines tender beef, fresh green beans, and a bold, spicy garlic sauce over a bed of fluffy rice. This recipe delivers all the savory, umami flavors of takeout, but made right at home with fresh ingredients and in less than 30 minutes. If you’re craving a satisfying, spicy meal, this recipe is exactly what you need!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Quick and Easy – Ready in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights.
- Packed with Flavor – The combination of garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and chili creates a sauce that is both savory and spicy, with a hint of sweetness.
- Customizable – Add extra vegetables or swap proteins to suit your taste and dietary preferences.
- Healthy Ingredients – Fresh vegetables, lean beef, and a flavorful sauce without the need for heavy or processed ingredients.
- One-Pan Meal – Minimal cleanup, as everything cooks in one pan or wok.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Stir-Fry:
- Beef sirloin or flank steak (thinly sliced against the grain)
- Fresh green beans (trimmed)
- Garlic cloves (minced)
- Fresh ginger (grated or minced)
- Soy sauce (low-sodium)
- Sesame oil
- Sriracha or chili garlic sauce (for heat)
- Brown sugar (for sweetness)
- Cornstarch (for thickening)
- Vegetable oil (for cooking)
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- Cooked white rice (preferably jasmine or another fragrant rice)
For the Sauce:
- Soy sauce
- Hoisin sauce
- Oyster sauce (for depth of flavor)
- Rice vinegar
- Brown sugar
- Water
- Cornstarch (for thickening)
For Garnishing:
- Green onions (sliced)
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Directions:
- Prepare the Beef: Start by slicing the beef into thin strips against the grain to ensure tenderness. In a bowl, toss the beef with a pinch of salt, black pepper, and a teaspoon of cornstarch. This will help achieve a crispy texture when seared. Set the beef aside for a few minutes.
- Make the Stir-Fry Sauce: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, sriracha or chili garlic sauce, and a small splash of water to create a savory, spicy stir-fry sauce. This sauce will bring the dish to life with its perfect balance of saltiness, heat, and sweetness.
- Cook the Green Beans: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the green beans and cook them for about 3–4 minutes. You want them to be tender-crisp, with a slight blistering on the skin for added texture. Once done, remove the beans from the pan and set them aside.
- Sear the Beef: In the same skillet, add a bit more oil if necessary, and then add the marinated beef in a single layer. Let the beef sear without stirring for about 1–2 minutes. After that, stir the beef and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes until it’s browned and cooked through. If you’re making a larger batch, cook the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Add Aromatics: Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the beef. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until the kitchen is filled with the aromatic scents of the garlic and ginger.
- Combine the Ingredients: Return the cooked green beans to the pan and add the prepared stir-fry sauce. Toss everything together until the beef and green beans are evenly coated in the sauce. Let the mixture simmer for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens and beautifully coats the beef and green beans.
- Serve the Stir-Fry: Spoon the spicy garlic beef stir-fry over a bed of steaming white or jasmine rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately for a deliciously satisfying meal.
Servings and Timing:
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations:
- Add More Veggies: Feel free to add sliced bell peppers, snap peas, or mushrooms to the stir-fry for extra color and texture.
- Different Protein: Swap out the beef for chicken, tofu, or shrimp for a variation on this delicious dish.
- More Spice: If you love spicy food, increase the amount of sriracha or chili garlic sauce, or add crushed red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
- Low-Carb Option: Instead of rice, try cauliflower rice or rice noodles for a lighter version of this dish.
Storage/Reheating:
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This dish reheats beautifully, so it’s great for meal prepping or leftovers.
- Reheating: To reheat, warm it up in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen the sauce. You can also reheat it in the microwave.
- Freezing: Freezing is not recommended due to the texture changes in the green beans.
Spicy Garlic Beef Stir-Fry with Green Beans & Rice
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef sirloin or flank steak thinly sliced against the grain
- 3 cups green beans trimmed
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger minced
- 3 tbsp soy sauce low-sodium
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp sriracha or chili garlic sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 4 cups cooked white rice or jasmine rice
Instructions
- Slice beef thinly against the grain and toss in a bowl with cornstarch, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, sriracha or chili garlic sauce, and a splash of water. Set aside.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add green beans and cook for 3–4 minutes until tender-crisp. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add more oil if needed, then add beef in a single layer. Sear until browned, about 1–2 minutes per side. Work in batches if necessary.
- Add minced garlic and ginger to the beef and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Return green beans to the skillet, pour in the sauce, and toss everything together. Simmer for 1–2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the beef and beans.
- Serve hot over a bed of steamed rice and garnish with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use frozen green beans?
Yes, you can use frozen green beans. Just be sure to thaw them first and pat them dry before stir-frying to ensure the best texture.
What cut of beef works best?
Flank steak or sirloin works best for this recipe. Both cuts are tender when sliced thinly against the grain, which is key to achieving a delicious stir-fry.
Can I make this dish less spicy?
Yes! If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount of sriracha or chili garlic sauce, or omit it entirely for a more neutral flavor.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, if you use gluten-free soy sauce (tamari) and ensure your hoisin sauce is gluten-free, this dish can be made gluten-free.
Do I need to marinate the beef?
No, there’s no need to marinate the beef for long periods. A quick coat with cornstarch, soy sauce, and sesame oil before cooking is all it takes to tenderize and flavor the beef.
How do I make the beef tender?
To get tender beef, slice it thinly against the grain, and make sure you don’t overcook it. Stir-frying over high heat for a short period ensures the beef remains tender and juicy.
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep all the components in advance. Slice the beef, chop the vegetables, and make the sauce. When it’s time to cook, just stir-fry everything together for a quick meal.
What rice works best?
Jasmine rice is a great choice because of its fragrant and fluffy texture. You can also use white rice or even brown rice for added fiber.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, you can double the recipe, but be sure to cook the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. This helps the beef sear properly and maintain its texture.
Should I blanch the green beans first?
There’s no need to blanch the green beans. Stir-frying them directly in the pan will give them a crisp-tender texture that pairs perfectly with the beef and sauce.
Conclusion:
Spicy Garlic Beef Stir-Fry with Green Beans & Rice is an exciting, flavorful dish that combines tender beef, crisp green beans, and a spicy, savory sauce. It’s a perfect choice for a busy weeknight when you want something quick yet packed with flavor. This dish is not only simple to make but also versatile and can be easily customized to suit your preferences. The vibrant combination of garlic, ginger, and chili sauce will leave you craving more! Try this easy and delicious stir-fry recipe today and elevate your weeknight dinner routine.