This Asian-inspired Beef Stir Fry with Rice has rice, beef, vegetables and a homemade stir fry sauce that combine to form a comforting dinner filled with flavor.
Love a good stir fry recipe? Also try this Steak Stir Fry with Peppers or this Pork Stir Fry Recipe.
Beef Stir Fry with Rice
I am definitely a lover of all food, but recipes like this beef stir fry tend to be among my favorites. I love a good, classy 5 star dinner, but there is just something about adding everything together into one pan that I absolutely love. Forget worrying about a side dish – the veggies are already in there! No frills, nothing fancy, but this Asian Rice and Beef Stir Fry Recipe is one recipe where you’ll go back for seconds!
What Kind of Beef Do You Use for Beef Stir Fry?
The biggest thing you’ll want to make sure of is that you use a cut of beef that is tender. Because the beef is cut thinly and then quickly cooked, you don’t want a cut that will remain tough. I used a flat iron steak in this recipe, but I can’t always find flat iron steaks. A sirloin, tri-tip, ribeye or strip steak are all great choices as well. There are even some cuts that may not be quite as tender – such as flank steak or skirt steak – that still work very well in a stir fry recipe.
How to Make the Beef Stir Fry Sauce
This Stir Fry Sauce is so easy that you’ll wonder why you ever bought it in the first place! These are the ingredients you’ll need:
- water
- ketchup
- soy sauce
- cornstarch
- honey
- a pinch of red pepper
To make the sauce, all you have to do is combine the ingredients and cook until it has thickened.This happens really quickly – you’ll be surprised how easy it is to make yourself!
More Asian Inspired Recipes
Sweet Asian Chicken with Pineapple Rice
Fresh Green Bean Salad with Asian Dressing
Asian Ginger Chicken Salad
Orange Chicken
Butter Chicken
Peanut Chicken Stir Fry
Pressure Cooker Cashew Chicken
Tools Used to Make this Asian Rice and Beef Stir Fry Recipe
This recipe can be made using normal kitchen tools – including a good skillet and saucepans. But I love that this recipe doesn’t require much!
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Beef Stir Fry with Rice
Ingredients
Sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
- 4 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons honey
- pinch of crushed red pepper
Rice and Beef
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 lb flank or flat iron steak cut into very thin slices
- 1/2 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the 1/2 cup water, ketchup, soy sauce, cornstarch, honey and red pepper. Cook until a thick sauce is formed, stirring very frequently. (This should happen pretty quickly.)
- In another saucepan, bring the 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the rice, reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pan. Cook until the rice is tender and the water has been absorbed, 16-18 minutes. Let it sit for a few minutes, then fluff with a fork.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the steak in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook until the steak is browned. Remove the meat to a plate or bowl.
- Add the carrots to the pan and cook until tender, 4-5 minutes. (You may need to add another touch of oil.) Return the meat to the skillet along with the peas and green onions and cook just until heated through. Stir in the cooked rice and the stir fry sauce and stir to combine.
- Serve topped with the chopped peanuts.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information
Originally published November 7, 2014
Jill says
Made the stir fry tonight it was very good! I used left over steak that I made on the grill.
Deborah says
I’m so glad you liked it! And I love the idea of using leftover steak!
Chelsey says
I love stir fry and this one was so fun! I loved the addition of steak and peanuts!
Vanessa says
I loved this recipe is wonderful and very tasty. so very good.
Joanne says
I love quick and easy stir fries like this! Especially since you can mix in pretty much anything and with the right sauce, it’ll taste good.
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes says
This is a meal my family would love too.
Dan says
My kids are so into anything stir-fry lately. My kids even take it for lunch in their thermos. I’ll add this one to the list – love the ketchup!
Gilly says
Any thoughts for subbing the ketchup? My husband despises ketchup. It’s actually the ONLY thing he absolutely will not eat.
Deborah says
I haven’t tried any substitutions, but the ketchup taste is not strong at all. You could probably use some tomato sauce, but you might need a little bit of sugar as well. Let me know if you try it without the ketchup!
Cat says
Try hot roasted red pepper jelly…I used it instead of ketchup and honey. It was delish!
ashley@blondegirlcravings says
Yum! I think both of my little ones will really enjoy this dish. Pinned!
Amy @Very Culinary says
Everything. You. Make. Deborah!! <3
Deborah says
You are my favorite person. 🙂 xoxo
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
Google is my friend—-despite the fact its my Big Brother too. I call it encyclogoogle.
I use it constantly. I am with you trying to find something like this recipe. You know it’s somewhere! But where. I am glad you found it. I love Asian inspired food. Actually it’s nice to see a beef one.
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
I’ve never seen a stir fry made with ketchup before. It looks delicious thought and simple enough to give it a try.