Teriyaki Beef Stir-Fry Recipe: You Won’t Believe How Easy This Is to Make

If you’re looking for a quick, flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights, a Teriyaki Beef Stir-Fry should be your go-to. This dish combines tender beef with crisp vegetables, all coated in a savory-sweet teriyaki sauce that’s made to impress. It’s easy, satisfying, and packed with flavor!

Ingredients

• Beef: Use flank steak, sirloin, or ribeye. These cuts are tender and work well for stir-frying.
• Vegetables: Bell peppers, broccoli, onions, carrots, and snap peas add color, crunch, and nutrition.
• Teriyaki Sauce: You can buy a good quality store-bought sauce or make your own with soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and rice vinegar.
• Aromatics: Garlic and ginger bring that authentic stir-fry flavor.
• Optional Garnishes: Sesame seeds, green onions, and red pepper flakes for extra texture and heat.

Preparation

1. Prep the Beef:
2. Slice the beef thinly against the grain. Cutting against the grain helps make the meat tender when stir-fried. Aim for bite-sized strips, which cook quickly and evenly.
3. Prep the Vegetables:
4. Cut the vegetables into similar sizes to ensure they cook at the same rate. Bell peppers and onions should be sliced, carrots julienned, and broccoli cut into florets.
5. Make the Teriyaki Sauce:
6. Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and a splash of rice vinegar in a bowl. Stir it all together to create that perfect salty, sweet, and tangy balance.
7. Marinate the Beef (Optional):
8. If you have extra time, marinate the beef in some teriyaki sauce for about 15-30 minutes. This helps infuse more flavor into the meat, but you can skip this step if you need more time.

Cooking Instructions

1. Stir-Fry the Beef:
2. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the beef. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until it’s browned and cooked. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if needed to get a good sear on the meat.
3. Cook the Vegetables:
4. Add more oil to the same pan and toss in your vegetables if necessary. Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes. The goal is to keep them crisp-tender. You want the broccoli to retain its bright green color and the peppers to have some bite still.
5. Combine the Beef and Vegetables:
6. Once the vegetables are ready, return the beef to the pan. Pour in the teriyaki sauce and toss everything together until it’s evenly coated. Allow it to simmer for 1-2 minutes so the sauce thickens slightly.
7. Simmer and Serve:
8. Let the stir-fry simmer for another minute to meld all the flavors. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed—add a splash of soy sauce for more salt or a pinch of sugar if you want it sweeter.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the teriyaki beef stir-fry over a bed of steamed rice—white or brown both work well. If you’re in the mood for noodles, try serving it over soba or rice noodles. For a low-carb version, cauliflower rice is a great substitute. Top with sesame seeds, chopped green onions, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra flavor and visual appeal.

Tips and Variations

1. Customization:
2. Feel free to swap out any veggies based on what you have in the fridge. Mushrooms, zucchini, or even baby corn are excellent alternatives.
3. Add Some Spice:
4. If you like your stir-fry with a bit of heat, throw in some chili flakes, a drizzle of sriracha, or fresh sliced chili peppers.
5. Make it Vegetarian:
6. Replace the beef with tofu or tempeh for a plant-based version that’s just as satisfying.

Storage and Leftovers

This dish stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep it in an airtight container. When reheating, use a skillet over medium heat to prevent the beef and vegetables from becoming too soggy. You can also microwave it, though the texture won’t be as crisp.

Conclusion

This Teriyaki Beef Stir-Fry is the dish you’ll want to make repeatedly. It’s quick, easy, and flavor-packed—perfect for busy nights when you need a satisfying meal that everyone will love. Plus, it’s versatile enough to customize based on your tastes and what you have on hand. Give it a try tonight, and see how quickly it becomes a favorite in your recipe rotation!