Quick & Easy Chinese Beef Tomato Stir-fry
Tender beef cooked in a sweet and savory tomato stir fry sauce with aromatics. This Chinese Beef Tomato Stir-fry is a quick and easy main dish ready in 30 minutes with simple ingredients. Great for the whole family and better-than-takeout!
- Prep time
- 15 min
- Cook time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 0.5 lb flank steak
- 2 large tomatoes (sliced into large wedges)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 green onions (finely chopped, optional garnish)
- 1/2 tbsp ginger (thinly sliced)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp white granulated sugar (or cane sugar)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
- 2 tsp regular soy sauce
- 1.5 tsp cornstarch (or potato starch)
- 1/4 tsp baking soda (do not skip this!)
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp water (cold)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (or potato starch/tapioca starch)
- 1 cup water (cold or sub with chicken/beef stock)
Instructions
- 1
Slice flank steak against the grain on an angle into 1/4-inch thick pieces. Tip: To thinly slice flank steak, freeze it for 45-60 minutes fully exposed to the cold freezer air. This hardens the exterior and makes slicing the beef easier especially with a sharp knife!
- 2
Transfer sliced beef into a large bowl. Mix in Beef Marinade ingredients as listed and combine well. Marinate for at least 15 minutes or overnight for best results.
- 3
In a small bowl, combine together cornstarch and cold water to make your cornstarch slurry. Set aside.
- 4
Heat vegetable oil in a large pan or wok on medium heat. Fry marinated beef and quickly spread it evenly across the pan to cook. Cook until it’s 75% cooked or mostly brown.
- 5
Next add garlic, onions, ginger, ketchup stir fry together. Cook until onions are softened, about 1 minute.
- 6
Add cornstarch slurry, followed by tomatoes and mix until everything is combined. Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken uncovered, about 2 minutes.
- 7
Gentle mix in sugar to avoid breaking the tomatoes apart. Garnish with green onions and enjoy!