TENDER BEEF & ONION Stir-Fry: Tenderizes Beef Deliciously & Boosts the Flavor!
Hello food lovers!
Today, I’m excited to share a classic Japanese home-style dish that’s both incredibly flavorful and surprisingly easy to make: Tender Beef & Onion Stir-fry. This dish, often reminiscent of “Yakiniku” (Japanese BBQ) flavors, features succulent beef, sweet onions, and crisp bell peppers, all coated in a savory and slightly sweet sauce. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and pairs wonderfully with a bowl of steamed rice.
Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Main Stir-fry:
Beef (thinly sliced, sirloin or ribeye recommended): 180g (approx. 6.3 oz)
Onion: 150g (approx. 5.3 oz, about 1 medium)
Green Bell Pepper (Piman): 60g (approx. 2.1 oz, about 1 medium)
Garlic: 1 clove
Cooking Oil: 2 tsp (1 tsp for beef, 1 tsp for onions/veggies)
For the Beef Marinade (to make it extra tender!):
Soy Sauce: 1 tsp
Sugar: 1/2 tsp
Potato Starch (Katakuriko) or Cornstarch: 2 tsp
Vegetable Oil (or Sesame Oil): 1 tsp
Baking Soda (Juso): 1/3 tsp (This is key for tenderizing!)
For the Yakiniku-style Sauce:
Soy Sauce: 2 tbsp
Sugar: 1.5 tbsp (1 tbsp + 1 ½ tsp)
Apple Juice: 2 tsp
Mirin (Sweet Rice Wine): 1 tsp
Sake (Japanese Rice Wine): 1 tsp
Rice Vinegar: 1/2 tsp
Grated Ginger: 1/3 tsp
White Pepper: A pinch
MSG (e.g., Ajinomoto): A pinch (optional, for an umami boost)
(Note: 1 US cup = approx. 240ml. Teaspoon (tsp) and Tablespoon (tbsp) measurements are generally consistent internationally for small quantities.)
Instructions (Step-by-Step)
Let’s bring this delicious stir-fry to life in just a few simple steps!
Prepare Your Ingredients:
Thinly slice the beef against the grain.
Cut the onion into wedges.
Cut the green bell pepper into bite-sized pieces.
Mince the garlic.
Marinate Beef & Mix Sauce:
In a bowl, combine the sliced beef with all the “Beef Marinade” ingredients (soy sauce, sugar, potato/cornstarch, oil, baking soda). Mix well with your hands to ensure each piece is coated. Set aside.
In a separate small bowl, combine all the “Yakiniku-style Sauce” ingredients (soy sauce, sugar, apple juice, mirin, sake, rice vinegar, grated ginger, white pepper, and MSG if using). Whisk until the sugar is dissolved.
Cook the Beef:
Heat 1 teaspoon of cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
Add the marinated beef in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding). Stir-fry until the beef is browned and just cooked through.
Remove the beef from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
Stir-fry Vegetables & Combine:
Wipe the skillet clean if needed, or use a fresh one. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon of cooking oil and heat over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic and onion wedges. Stir-fry until the onions start to soften and become translucent (about 2-3 minutes).
Add the green bell pepper pieces and stir-fry for another minute until slightly tender-crisp.
Return the cooked beef to the skillet. Pour the prepared Yakiniku-style sauce over everything.
Continue to stir-fry over medium heat, tossing constantly, until the sauce has thickened and coats all the ingredients, and much of the liquid has evaporated (about 2-3 minutes).
Serve & Enjoy!
Transfer the Tender Beef & Onion Stir-fry to a serving dish. It’s best enjoyed immediately with hot steamed rice.
Tips for Success:
Don’t overcrowd the pan: Cook the beef in batches if necessary to ensure it sears properly rather than steams.
High heat for stir-frying: Generally, stir-frying requires medium-high to high heat for that characteristic “wok hei” (breath of the wok) flavor, but adjust as needed to prevent burning.
Prep everything first (Mise en place): Stir-frying goes quickly, so have all your ingredients chopped, measured, and ready to go before you start cooking.
I hope you enjoy this Tender Beef & Onion Stir-fry! It’s a favorite in my kitchen, and I’m sure it will be in yours too. Don’t forget to check out the video for a visual guide, and let me know in the comments if you try it!
Happy cooking!
