Number 58. I remember writing this number down many times over the years when I helped serve customers at my dad’s Chinese takeaway. No 58 was sizzling beef with ginger and spring onion [beef with scallion and ginger]. A popular Chinese dish made up of tender thin strips of beef, stir-fried with fresh ginger and spring onions, and served with a delicious sauce.
And although you can order it from the menu at Chinese restaurants, what’s great about this beef with ginger and spring onion recipe is how quick and easy it is to make – so perfect for a midweek meal, or a quick dinner to feed the family. All you have to do is stir fry all the ingredients in a wok and then serve over rice or noodles. It’s that simple.
What ingredients are needed for this ginger and spring onion beef?
I guarantee you’ll have most of these ingredients at home in the fridge and your store cupboard.
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beef steak of your choice
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spring onion [scallion/green onion]
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fresh ginger
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oyster sauce
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light soy sauce
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Chinese rice wine
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cornflour/cornstarch
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white pepper
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sugar
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water
How to get tender beef every time
The Chinese method of velveting meat helps keep the beef super tender, which makes all the difference – you really don’t want chewy stir fry beef. Some people have different ways to velvet beef but I find the simplest is the best, by just adding cornflour. Leave the cornflour meat mixture to sit for at least 15 minutes [or even longer up to half an hour] you’ll find the beef is soft and juicy.
What type of beef to use
When preparing beef with ginger and spring onion, choosing the right cut of beef is crucial to achieving tender, succulent results. Opt for cuts that are well-suited for quick cooking, such as minute steak, sirloin steak, or beef medallions. These cuts are relatively lean and tender, making them ideal for stir-frying. Slice the beef thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness and enhance the texture of the dish. Adding the cornflour/cornstarch will also help to tenderise the beef slices.
How to make this Chinese beef stir fry with ginger and spring onions
First, get your beef steak and carve thin slices against the grain using a sharp knife.
Then add a tablespoon of cornflour. Using your hands, make sure all the beef strips are coated in it.
While you leave the meat for 15 minutes, shred the spring onion and ginger – you’re looking for long, thin strips.
In a small bowl, add the sauce ingredients of light soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornflour/cornstarch, Chinese rice wine, sugar, pepper and water. Mix together well.
Once you’re ready to cook the beef – heat a wok [I have a cast iron wok] or a deep-sided pan on a very high heat and add a tbsp of oil. You’ll need to work fast here. Add the ginger first, and stir fry until they become fragrant – you’ll be able to smell them.
Then add the beef and continue to stir fry. The sliced beef will cook quickly, around 1-2 minutes. It’s now time to get your bowl of sauce and add it to the wok. Give it a good stir – you’ll soon see the sauce begin to thicken. After another 1-2 minutes, add the spring onions/scallions and cook for a further minute before serving straight away.
What to serve with it?
This ginger and spring onion beef stir fry is great served on top of steamed white rice and pak choi. You could also serve it with egg fried rice, or on top of noodles. Leftovers are great over soup noodles too.
How to store leftovers
Leftovers taste amazing. So much so, that you could increase the quantities and batch-cook several portions. If you want to freeze beef scallion and ginger, put them in a suitable container with a lid, and freeze for up to three months. Make sure to fully defrost before reheating in a microwave on high until thoroughly heated. If you want to refrigerate any leftovers, store them in a container for up to three days.
Can other ingredients be added?
While this is an authentic Chinese beef with ginger and spring onion recipe that was made in my dad’s Chinese takeaway you can make your own variations. Add some red chilli for some spicy heat – do this when you’re stir-frying the ginger. Or experiment with other vegetables such as peppers, broccoli, or mushrooms to add colour and texture. You can adjust the seasoning according to your preference, adding more soy sauce for saltiness or a dash of sesame oil for aromatic richness.
Other Chinese recipes you might like:
Crispy chilli beef
Air fryer honey garlic chicken thighs
Crispy Chinese pork belly
Chinese steamed spare ribs
Spicy Chinese braised aubergine
Poached Chinese chicken
General Tso’s chicken
Chinese beef with ginger and spring onion
Ingredients
- 340 g beef medallion steaks minute steak, flank steak or sirloin
- 2 tablespoons cornflour/cornstarch divided
- 2 cm piece of ginger peeled and thinly shredded into long thin strips
- 2-3 spring onions sliced into thin strips
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon Chinese rice wine
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 5 tablespoons of water
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Get your beef steak and carve thin slices against the grain using a sharp knife.
- Then add a tablespoon of cornflour/cornstarch. Using your hands, make sure all the beef strips are coated in it. And then leave for 15 minutes or up to half an hour.
- In a small bowl, add the sauce ingredients of light soy sauce, oyster sauce, one tablespoon cornflour/cornstarch, Chinese rice wine, sugar, pepper and water. Mix together well. Put to one side.
- Once you’re ready to cook the beef – heat a wok or a deep-sided pan on a very high heat and add a tablespoon of vegetable oil. You’ll need to work fast here. Add the ginger first, and stir fry for a minute until they become fragrant.
- Then add the beef and continue to stir fry. The sliced beef will cook quickly, around 1-2 minutes.
- Then add the sauce. Give it a good stir – you’ll soon see the sauce begin to thicken.
- After another 1-2 minutes, add the spring onions/scallions and cook for a further minute before serving straight away over steamed rice.
Nutrition
Did you make this beef with ginger and spring onion?
Please let me know how this beef stir fry turned out for you. Leave a comment below and tag @cooksimplyathome on Instagram. For other simple and delicious meals take a look at my other recipes.
