Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry

By
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.
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Updated on 03/1/22
Beef and Vegetable Stir Fry

jjpoole / E+ / Getty Images

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
282 Calories
8g Fat
25g Carbs
26g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 282
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 2g 11%
Cholesterol 59mg 20%
Sodium 1636mg 71%
Total Carbohydrate 25g 9%
Dietary Fiber 5g 18%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 26g
Vitamin C 4mg 19%
Calcium 44mg 3%
Iron 4mg 20%
Potassium 1015mg 22%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Stir-fries are known to cook quickly, but the prep can often be time-consuming. In this simple five-ingredient stir-fry recipe, however, the prep is made easy by using leftover cooked roast beef, frozen vegetables, and store-bought stir-fry sauce. You only need a hot pan, some oil, and cornstarch, and you'll have dinner on the table in less than 15 minutes.

This recipe suggests using leftover roast beef, but almost any type of cooked, mildly seasoned beef will work, including sliced steak and pot roast. And when it comes to the vegetables, you can use a combination of broccoli, carrots, and snap peas or a package labeled "stir-fry vegetables." There are many stir-fry sauces on the market, so just choose the one you like best.

The vegetables are first thawed in a skillet in oil and a tablespoon of water, which steams them while maintaining their crunch. Cornstarch is stirred into the stir-fry sauce to help thicken, and then the mixture is added to the skillet; the last step is to add the cooked beef and then cook for several minutes, stirring occasionally. This easy beef and vegetable stir-fry is perfect over a bed of rice or noodles.

Although this is a short-cut recipe, it's important to follow a few steps to achieve the perfect dish, including that the wok or pan is very hot and the meat is room temperature before adding to the stir-fry.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 (16-ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables

  • 1 tablespoon water

  • 1 cup stir-fry sauce

  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch

  • 2 cups sliced cooked roast beef

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Heat the olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the frozen vegetables and the water. Stir, cover the skillet, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, shaking the pan once during cooking time, until the vegetables are thawed. 

  3. Mix the stir-fry sauce and the cornstarch in a small bowl. Add this mixture to the skillet and stir to combine.

  4. Add the beef and stir again. Cover the skillet and cook over low heat for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are crisp-tender and the beef is hot.

  5. Serve with cooked rice or noodles.

  6. Enjoy.

Tip

Make sure whatever leftover beef you use does not have a strong flavor that will compete with the stir-fry sauce. A simple grilled steak or beef roast will work well with the sauce, but meat that was marinated or seasoned with stronger flavors that do not pair well with Asian ingredients will ruin the dish.

Recipe Variations

  • You can sub in or add cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu for the beef, as long as the proteins are not strongly seasoned.
  • Eliminate the beef altogether to make this dish vegetarian.