Beef in Oyster Sauce

Beef & Bok Choy

Thinly sliced beef is coated in egg and cornstarch infused with garlic and ginger and fried to crispy perfection. It is paired with tender Bok Choy and onions and tossed in a simple soy and oyster sauce mixture.

This beef in Oyster sauce is a fantastic recipe for a quick weeknight meal. Pair it with some steamed rice or stir fry noodles for a wholesome dinner the whole family will love.

How to thinly slice beef

When it comes to this Beef in Oyster Sauce dish, it is important to thinly slice the beef for the best results. A thick piece of meat will result in a chewy bite. To get perfectly thin beef, here is what you will want to do.

Choose the Right Meat: Opt for a tender cut of beef as it will result in more succulent and flavorful slices. Common choices include sirloin, flank, or ribeye.

Chill the Meat (Optional): For easier slicing, you can partially freeze the beef for about 30 minutes to an hour. This helps firm up the meat, making it easier to achieve thin and even slices. Be cautious not to freeze it solid, as this will make it challenging to cut. At the very least, make sure you are cutting the meat straight from the refrigerator so it is somewhat chilled.

Use a Sharp Knife: Having a sharp knife is essential to making any good cut. I recently purchased these Global knives and love with how sharp they are.

Trim Excess Fat: Trim excess fat and connective tissue from the beef. A leaner cut will be easier to thinly slice.

Slice Against the Grain: Identify the grain or fibers of the meat. The goal is to cut against the grain to shorten the muscle fibers, resulting in a more tender bite. Place the beef on the cutting board, and using a sharp knife, start slicing perpendicular to the grain. This means cutting across the lines or fibers you see in the meat. This technique helps break up the muscle fibers, making the meat more tender.

Slice Evenly: Aim for thin, even slices. Generally, slice the beef about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.

How to Make Beef with Oyster Sauce

Add one pound of thinly sliced flank steak to a resealable bag or glass bowl along with the following ingredients

2 Tablespoons cornstarch

1 Tablespoon soy sauce

1 Tablespoon rice vinegar

1 beaten egg white

1 Tablespoon sesame oil

2 teaspoons diced garlic

1 teaspoon grated ginger

Cooking Beef and Bok Choy

Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add a generous drizzle of vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add the beef and cook for about one minute on each side. Remove from the pan to a clean plate lined with paper towels. It works best to cook in batches to ensure you don’t overcook the meat.

Add another drizzle of vegetable oil to the pan and cook the onions for 1-2 minutes. Add the Bok choy and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

Return the beef to the pan with the vegetables and toss with 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon soy sauce and a teaspoon of sugar. Cook just for a minute, stirring constantly, until the sauce has slightly thickened.

Serve the beef with oyster sauce over rice or with stir-fry noodles for a complete meal.

What is Oyster Sauce?

Oyster sauce is a popular condiment in Asian cuisine, particularly in Chinese cooking. It is a thick, dark brown sauce made from oyster extracts, usually combined with other ingredients to enhance its flavor. The primary components of oyster sauce include oyster juices, soy sauce, sugar, salt, and sometimes additional seasonings.

The flavors that oyster sauce adds to a dish can be described as savory, sweet, and umami-rich. It has a deep, complex taste that complements a wide range of ingredients. Oyster sauce is commonly used as a cooking sauce and a finishing sauce in stir-fries, marinades, and glazes.

More Asian Inspired Dinner Recipes

I enjoy a variety of food and changing up my weeknight dinners. Here are some of our favorite Asian inspired dishes we love.

Smoked Asian Ribs

• Sesame Shrimp Bowls
• Korean Beef & Rice Bowls
• Sesame Asian Chicken Salad

Notes

*Ribeye or sirloin are also good options

Serving: 1 g | Calories: 296 kcal | Carbohydrates: 9 g | Protein: 35 g | Fat: 13 g | Saturated Fat: 4 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7 g | Cholesterol: 90 mg | Sodium: 844 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 2 g