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Easy Hunan Beef Recipe

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4.3 from 84 reviews

This Easy Hunan Beef recipe delivers a flavorful stir-fry featuring tender thinly sliced flank steak, fresh bell peppers, broccoli, and green onions, all tossed in a savory, slightly spicy sauce. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s a perfect quick and healthy weeknight dinner that pairs beautifully with rice or noodles.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Protein

  • 1 lb beef flank steak (thinly sliced)

Vegetables

  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1 medium red bell pepper (bite sized pieces)
  • 1 medium green bell pepper (bite sized pieces)
  • 5 green onions
  • 1 medium onion (bite sized pieces)
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic (minced)

Sauce

  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 2 tsp chili paste (Sambal Oelek is a great option)
  • 2 tsp cornstarch

Other

  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Whisk Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the beef broth, low-sodium soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, chili paste, and cornstarch. Whisk thoroughly until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and the sauce is smooth. Set aside.
  2. Cut Vegetables: Chop the broccoli into florets. Slice the red and green bell peppers into bite-sized pieces. Chop the onion into bite-sized pieces as well. Mince the garlic finely and slice the green onions into small sections. Slice the beef flank steak as thinly as possible for quick cooking and tender texture.
  3. Brown Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tbsp vegetable oil. Once hot, add the sliced beef in a single layer and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 7 minutes. Avoid overcrowding to ensure good browning. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Cook Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the bell peppers, onion, green onions, broccoli florets, and minced garlic. Stir-fry for about 7 minutes or until the vegetables are tender but still slightly crisp.
  5. Add Beef: Return the browned beef back to the skillet with the cooked vegetables, mixing gently to combine.
  6. Toss & Simmer: Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetables. Toss everything together to coat evenly, then cook and simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
  7. Serve: Serve the Hunan beef hot on its own or over your favorite grain such as steamed white rice, brown rice, or noodles.

Notes

  • For best results, slice the beef thinly against the grain to maximize tenderness.
  • Adjust the level of chili paste to control spiciness according to your preference.
  • Use low-sodium soy sauce to keep the salt content moderate.
  • Make sure to whisk the sauce well to prevent lumps from the cornstarch.
  • This dish pairs excellently with steamed jasmine or basmati rice.
  • To make it gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari and ensure oyster sauce is gluten-free or use a mushroom-based alternative.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Chinese

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/easy-hunan-beef-recipe/