Spicy Garlic Beef Stir-Fry with Green Beans & Rice is a bold and satisfying dish that’s quick to make and packed with flavor. Tender strips of beef are seared and tossed in a garlicky, spicy sauce with crisp green beans, served over a bed of fluffy rice. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner that feels like takeout—only fresher and better.
ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
beef sirloin or flank steakgreen beans (trimmed)garlic clovesfresh gingersoy saucesesame oilsriracha or chili garlic saucesoy saucebrown sugarcornstarchvegetable oilsaltblack peppercooked white or jasmine rice
directions
Slice beef thinly against the grain and toss in a bowl with cornstarch, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, sriracha or chili garlic sauce, and a splash of water. Set aside.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
Add green beans and cook for 3–4 minutes until tender-crisp and slightly blistered. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, add more oil if needed, then add beef in a single layer. Sear until browned, about 1–2 minutes per side. Work in batches if necessary.
Add minced garlic and ginger to the beef and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Return green beans to the skillet, pour in the sauce, and toss everything together. Simmer for 1–2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the beef and beans.
Serve hot over a bed of steamed rice and garnish with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Servings and timing
This recipe yields approximately 4 servings.Preparation time: 15 minutesCook time: 15 minutesTotal time: 30 minutes
Variations
Add sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, or snap peas for more veggies.
Use chicken or tofu instead of beef for a different protein.
Add crushed red pepper flakes for more heat.
Swap rice for rice noodles or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
Use hoisin or oyster sauce in place of brown sugar for deeper flavor.
storage/reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.Reheat in a skillet or microwave until heated through. Add a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed.Not recommended for freezing due to texture changes in the green beans.
FAQs
Can I use frozen green beans?
Yes, just thaw and pat dry before stir-frying for best texture.
What cut of beef works best?
Flank steak or sirloin are ideal—slice thinly against the grain for tenderness.
Can I make it less spicy?
Yes, reduce or omit the sriracha or chili garlic sauce to your taste.
Is this gluten-free?
Use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative to keep it gluten-free.
Do I have to marinate the beef?
No long marinating is needed—just coat with cornstarch and season before cooking.
How do I get the beef tender?
Slice it thinly against the grain and don’t overcook—high heat, short cook time is key.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes, prep all components in advance and stir-fry just before serving for best results.
What rice works best?
Jasmine or white rice are classic, but brown rice also works well for added fiber.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, but cook the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
Should I blanch the green beans?
No need—stir-frying keeps them crisp and flavorful.
Conclusion
Spicy Garlic Beef Stir-Fry with Green Beans & Rice is a quick, flavorful meal that brings the sizzle and spice of your favorite Asian takeout right to your kitchen. With tender beef, crisp green beans, and a punchy garlic-chili sauce, it’s an easy and delicious way to spice up your dinner routine.
PrintSpicy Garlic Beef Stir-Fry with Green Beans & Rice
This Spicy Garlic Beef Stir-Fry is an easy and flavorful meal made with thinly sliced beef, tender-crisp green beans, and a bold garlic-chili sauce. Served over steamed rice, it’s a takeout-style dinner you can make at home in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Ingredients
For the Beef Marinade:
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1 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
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1 tbsp soy sauce
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1 tsp cornstarch
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1 tsp sesame oil
For the Stir-Fry:
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1 tbsp vegetable oil
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3 cups green beans, trimmed
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tsp ginger, minced
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1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (or to taste)
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2 green onions, sliced (optional)
For the Sauce:
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3 tbsp soy sauce
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1 tbsp hoisin sauce
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1 tbsp oyster sauce
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1 tbsp rice vinegar
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1 tbsp brown sugar
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1/4 cup water
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1 tsp cornstarch
For Serving:
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Cooked jasmine or white rice
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Sesame seeds or more sliced green onions (optional)
Instructions
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Marinate the beef: In a bowl, mix sliced beef with soy sauce, cornstarch, and sesame oil. Set aside for 10–15 minutes.
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Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin, oyster sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, water, and cornstarch.
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Cook the green beans: Heat 1/2 tbsp oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add green beans and stir-fry for 4–5 minutes, until tender-crisp. Remove and set aside.
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Stir-fry the beef: Add remaining 1/2 tbsp oil to the pan. Add marinated beef in a single layer. Cook for 1–2 minutes without stirring, then stir-fry for another 2–3 minutes until browned.
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Add aromatics: Add garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes to the beef. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Combine and sauce it up: Return green beans to the pan. Pour in the sauce and stir to coat everything. Cook 1–2 minutes until sauce thickens.
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Serve: Spoon stir-fry over rice and top with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
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Add bell peppers or snap peas for extra veggies.
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Use chili garlic sauce or sriracha for a spicier kick.
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Beef can be swapped with chicken or tofu.