Beef and Onion Stir Fry – Juicy, Tender, and So Easy!
If you’re looking for a quick and flavorful dinner idea that comes together in minutes and tastes like something out of a high-end Asian restaurant, let me introduce you to my go-to Beef and Onion Stir Fry.
This dish is all about balance — tender, juicy beef, crisp onions, a savory sauce, and just the right touch of aromatics. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty yet simple, and it pairs beautifully with a bowl of steamed rice or noodles.
Let me show you exactly how I make this at home — no fancy tools or ingredients needed, just good food made with love.
Why I Love This Beef and Onion Stir Fry
- It’s quick and ready in under 30 minutes
- You can use any cut of beef you have on hand
- The sauce is rich, savory, and perfectly coats the beef
- It’s budget-friendly and family-approved
- Tastes even better than takeout!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Stir Fry:
- 400–500g beef (sirloin, flank, or any tender cut), sliced thinly against the grain
- 1 medium onion, sliced into thick strips
- 4 green onions (white and green parts separated and cut into 2-inch sections)
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 tbsp rice wine (or dry sherry)
- Freshly crushed black pepper to taste
For the Marinade:
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp cooking oil (added last to lock in the marinade)
How to Make Beef and Onion Stir Fry — Step by Step
Step 1: Prepare the Aromatics and Vegetables
I always start by cutting the green onions. You’ll want to keep the white and green parts separate because they go in at different times. The whites get stir-fried for flavor, and the greens are saved till the end for a fresh pop.
Then I slice up one large onion into thick strips and separate the layers — this helps it cook evenly and maintain that delicious crunch.
Mince your garlic finely — I use about four cloves for a punch of flavor.
Step 2: Slice and Marinate the Beef
The trick to juicy, tender beef is slicing it thinly against the grain. That breaks up the fibers and keeps every bite soft.
Now for the marinade — this is where all the magic happens. In a bowl, mix the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, baking soda, and cornstarch. Toss the beef in until it’s fully coated. Lastly, add the sesame oil and cooking oil — this helps seal the marinade into the beef.
You don’t have to marinate for hours — just mixing everything well is enough because we’ll cook the beef quickly.
Step 3: Stir-Fry the Onions
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a hot pan or wok over medium-high heat.
Add the white parts of the green onions and the sliced onion. Stir-fry just until the raw onion smell fades — we still want them slightly crunchy.
Add a pinch of sugar and salt to enhance the flavor. Once fragrant and just tender, take them out of the pan and set aside.
Step 4: Cook the Beef
Add a little more oil to the same pan. When hot, add the marinated beef and don’t stir immediately. Let it pan-sear until one side is slightly browned.
Flip the beef and then add in your minced garlic. Stir everything together and let the beef cook until about 70% done.
Pour in the rice wine — always pour it along the edges of the pan so the aroma gets released by the heat.
Then add a little more dark soy sauce and oyster sauce. I also add just a splash of water (no cornstarch slurry needed here because we already added it in the marinade).
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Once the sauce begins to bubble and thicken, toss in some freshly crushed black pepper for heat.
Add the onions and the green parts of the green onion back into the pan. Give everything a quick toss for 1–2 minutes.
That’s it! Your Beef and Onion Stir Fry is ready to be served.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve it hot with steamed jasmine or basmati rice
- Pair with garlic noodles or stir-fried veggies
- Top with toasted sesame seeds or more spring onions for garnish
Tips for Perfect Stir Fry
- Slice beef thinly against the grain for the best texture
- Don’t overcook the onions — they should be slightly crunchy
- Avoid overcrowding the pan when frying the beef
- Let the beef sear before stirring for that beautiful caramelization
- Rice wine or dry sherry adds amazing depth — don’t skip it
Beef and Onion Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 400 g beef thinly sliced, against the grain
- 1 medium onion thick strips
- 4 green onions white and green parts separated
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp oil divided
- 1 tbsp rice wine or dry sherry
- Fresh black pepper to taste
- For Marinade:
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp cooking oil
Instructions
- Marinate Beef: Mix sliced beef with all marinade ingredients. Set aside.
- Prep Veggies: Slice onions and green onions. Mince garlic.
- Stir-Fry Onions: In hot oil, sauté onions and white green onion parts until soft. Set aside.
- Cook Beef: Add beef to the pan, sear without stirring for 1–2 mins. Flip and add garlic.
- Deglaze: Add rice wine, a splash of water, more soy sauce/oyster sauce.
- Combine: Return onions + green parts of spring onion. Stir-fry for 1–2 mins.
- Serve: Enjoy hot with rice or noodles.
