Stir-Fried Beef With Oyster Sauce

By
Rhonda Parkinson
Rhonda Parkinson
Rhonda Parkinson is a freelance writer who has authored many cookbooks, including two Everything guides to Chinese cooking.
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Updated on 06/2/22
stir fry beef and mushroom

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Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 7 mins
Total: 22 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
1003 Calories
14g Fat
164g Carbs
48g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 1003
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g 19%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 101mg 34%
Sodium 709mg 31%
Total Carbohydrate 164g 60%
Dietary Fiber 6g 21%
Protein 48g
Calcium 66mg 5%
*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.)

With this easy-to-follow recipe, you can make stir-fried beef with oyster sauce. Oyster sauce complements beef well by enhancing the natural flavor of the meat. Moreover, this dish is a staple in Chinese restaurants. By learning to make it yourself, however, you can control exactly what goes in the meal and avoid harmful ingredients such as MSG. And if you have medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, you can eliminate salt and sugar or, at the very least, reduce the amount of these ingredients used in the meal. 

Ingredients

  • 1 pound beef steak (round or flank)
  • 1/4-inch slice of ginger (chopped)
  • 3/4 cup mushrooms (sliced)
  • 1 small carrot (peeled and cut diagonally into thin slices)
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar (granulated or soft)
  • 1/4 cup water (or low-sodium chicken broth)
  • 4 tablespoons oil for stir-frying (or as needed)
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 4 cups steamed rice
  • For the Marinade:
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine (or dry sherry)
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Steps to Make It

  1. To begin, cut the beef across the grain into thin slices, 2 to 3 inches long and 1/4-inch thick. Then, add the marinade ingredients in the order given. Marinate the beef for 15 minutes. In a small bowl, mix the water or chicken broth, sugar and oyster sauce together and set aside.

  2. Next, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high to high heat in a preheated wok. Add the ginger and stir-fry quickly until aromatic, about 20 seconds. Take care not to burn the ginger. Then, add the beef. Brown for a minute, stir-fry until it changes color and is nearly cooked through. You can cook the ​beef in two batches if it's easier. After that, remove the beef slices from the wok and drain. Then, clean out the wok.

  3. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in the wok. Add the sliced carrot and stir-fry briefly. Next, add the mushrooms. Push the vegetables to the side and add the sauce in the middle. Let the mixture come to a boil, and then add the beef back into the pan. Mix everything together. When you're done, taste a sample and adjust seasoning, if desired.

  4. Serve the beef stir-fry hot with steamed rice. Substitute white rice with brown rice for a healthier meal.