Name: Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 300 g sirloin steak (or rib eye, flank steak, or blade steak); 1 tablespoon soy sauce; ½ tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine; 2 tablespoons water; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 1 teaspoon cornstarch (added after marinating); 1 tablespoon oil (added after marinating); ½ white onion (or yellow onion); 4-5 slices ginger; 3 cloves garlic (minced or sliced thinly); 1 stalk green onion (cut into 2-inch pieces); 1 tablespoon soy sauce (low sodium); 1 tablespoon corn starch; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1½ tablespoons oyster sauce; ½ tablespoon hoisin sauce; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; ½ tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine (or dry sherry/rice wine); 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce (for color, can substitute with regular soy sauce); ½ cup water; Oil for cooking (approximately 3-4 tablespoons total)

If you are craving a delicious and satisfying meal packed with bold flavors, this Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s a perfect combination of tender, thinly sliced beef mingling with sweet, caramelized onions and the subtle heat of ginger and garlic. This stir fry delivers a wonderful burst of savory umami from the oyster and hoisin sauces while maintaining a beautiful balance of textures. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or something special to impress guests, this recipe will quickly become a staple you reach for again and again.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows ingredients laid out on a wooden surface, including a large raw steak with marbled red and white fat placed on a white rectangular plate at the top. Surrounding it are various small bowls and items: a glass bowl with dark soy sauce, two whole green onions with green and white stalks, a wooden bowl filled with coarse white sugar, a metal cup with golden liquid, a large piece of knobby ginger root, a small green ceramic bowl with thick dark sauce, a white onion, a glass bowl with dark liquid, and several peeled garlic cloves scattered around. The overall color palette mixes natural earth tones with the bright white of the onion and green stalks, all on a rustic wooden background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

What’s fantastic about this Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry Recipe is how a handful of simple, fresh ingredients come together to create such a dynamic dish. Each element is essential, adding its unique taste, texture, or aroma to make the final dish shine with authenticity and deliciousness.

300 g sirloin steak: Choose a tender cut like sirloin for the perfect bite and quick cooking time.
½ white onion: Adds sweetness and a slight crunch that balances the beef beautifully.
4-5 slices ginger: Imparts a warm, zesty aroma that awakens the senses.
3 cloves garlic: Freshly minced or sliced thinly for that signature savory punch.
1 stalk green onion: Adds a fresh, vibrant finish and a pop of color to the dish.
1 tablespoon soy sauce: Brings depth and umami to the marinating beef.
½ tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine: Provides a subtle sweetness and rich complexity.
2 tablespoons water: Helps tenderize the beef and create the sauce base.
1 teaspoon sesame oil: Adds a toasty, nutty aroma that elevates the dish.
1 teaspoon cornstarch: Key for creating a velvety coating on the beef that locks in juices.
1 tablespoon oil: Used for cooking the beef, helping achieve that perfect sear.
1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce: Adds extra flavor without overpowering saltiness.
1 tablespoon corn starch: Used in the sauce to thicken and give that glossy finish.
1 teaspoon sugar: Balances the savory elements with a hint of sweetness.
1½ tablespoons oyster sauce: Provides a rich, savory depth filled with umami goodness.
½ tablespoon hoisin sauce: Infuses a mild sweetness and complexity.
1 teaspoon sesame oil: Reinforces the distinctive nutty flavor throughout.
½ tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine: Adds layers of flavor and fragrance.
1 teaspoon dark soy sauce: Gives the dish its inviting, dark color and concentrated taste.
½ cup water: Essential for creating the perfect stir fry sauce consistency.

TIP

You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.

How to Make Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Before turning on the heat, take the time to peel and slice your onion into separate segments, thinly slice the ginger, and mince or slice the garlic. Cut your green onion into 2-inch pieces, slicing the thicker white portion in half lengthwise for tender bites. Proper prep will make cooking a breeze and help each ingredient shine.

Step 2: Marinate the Beef

Thinly slice your sirloin steak against the grain — this is key for tenderness. For easier slicing, pop the meat in the freezer for 15 minutes to firm it up slightly. Combine your beef with soy sauce, Shaoxing cooking wine, water, and sesame oil to let those flavors soak in for about 15 minutes. Only add the cornstarch and oil once marination is complete to create that luscious, glossy coating that keeps the beef juicy.

Step 3: Mix the Stir Fry Sauce

Whisk together soy sauce and corn starch first to avoid lumps, then add sugar, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, Shaoxing cooking wine, dark soy sauce, and water. This mixture is the heart of the dish, blending sweet, savory, and aromatic notes that will glaze your beef and vegetables perfectly.

Step 4: Sear the Beef

Heat your wok or large frying pan until very hot. Add generous oil to prevent sticking and to achieve a beautiful sear on the beef slices. Spread the beef evenly across the pan and stir fry until about 90% cooked, typically 2-4 minutes depending on thickness. Remove beef and set aside to rest — it’ll finish cooking later in the sauce, keeping the texture tender and delicious.

Step 5: Stir Fry the Aromatics and Onions

Add a bit more oil to the pan and toast your ginger slices until they turn slightly brown. Then, toss in the onion segments and garlic, stir frying until soft and slightly caramelized, about 2 minutes. This step builds layers of flavor and brings out the natural sweetness of the onions.

Step 6: Finish the Stir Fry with Sauce and Beef

Push your cooked aromatics to the side, then pour in the stir fry sauce, stirring constantly as it thickens and transforms from a pale, milky color to a rich, dark brown glaze. Mix the onions into this sauce, add your beef back in along with the green onions, and stir fry everything together for another minute. The sauce should coat the beef and vegetables evenly, making every bite packed with flavor.

How to Serve Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry Recipe

The image shows a black frying pan on a white marbled surface filled with cooked beef slices in dark brown sauce. The beef pieces are medium-sized and scattered throughout the pan. Mixed with the beef are thin slices of light yellow onions and whole pieces of green onions laid across the beef for color contrast. The sauce has a glossy texture that coats the ingredients, making them look juicy and tender. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or a handful of fresh chopped cilantro can add a lovely fresh burst on top. For a touch of heat, thinly sliced fresh chilies or a drizzle of chili oil works beautifully.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine or brown rice, which soaks up that savory sauce perfectly. For a lighter option, serve alongside steamed or sautéed green vegetables like bok choy, broccoli, or snap peas to add vibrant color and crunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For a modern twist, serve your Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry Recipe on a bed of cauliflower rice for a low-carb meal. Or, toss in fresh herbs and chopped nuts to add texture contrasts and visual appeal. Serving it family-style on a large platter invites everyone to dig in and enjoy the communal spirit of this delicious dish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. The beef may firm up slightly but reheats beautifully, retaining its rich flavor.

Freezing

While this dish is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze it for up to 1 month. Place cooled stir fry in a freezer-safe container, leaving some room for expansion. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to maintain texture and taste.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwave reheating if possible, as it can overcook the beef and dull the vibrant flavors in this Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry Recipe.

FAQs

Can I use other cuts of beef for this Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry Recipe?

Absolutely! Sirloin is excellent, but rib eye, flank steak, or blade steak work equally well as long as you slice them thinly against the grain for tenderness.

What can I substitute if I don’t have Shaoxing cooking wine?

If Shaoxing wine is not available, dry sherry or a mild rice wine can be used as alternatives — they add a similar depth and sweetness.

Is this recipe spicy?

No, this particular Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry Recipe is not spicy by default, but you can easily add fresh chili, chili oil, or red pepper flakes to suit your heat preference.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

While the recipe is beef-based, you can swap the meat for firm tofu or seitan and adjust sauces accordingly to craft a tasty vegetarian or vegan version.

What’s the key to getting tender beef in a stir fry?

Marinating the beef with soy sauce, cooking wine, and cornstarch helps tenderize it and creates a velvety coating that keeps the meat juicy and flavorful throughout cooking.

Final Thoughts

This Chinese Beef and Onion Stir Fry Recipe is a true crowd-pleaser that brings together simplicity and incredible flavor in one pan. Once you make it, you’ll understand why it’s such a beloved dish — the tender beef, the sweet and savory sauce, and those perfectly cooked onions all come together to create a dish that’s hard not to fall in love with. Give it a try soon, and prepare for some serious kitchen joy.