Chinese Beef With String Beans
A flavorful Chinese beef and green bean stir-fry featuring tender slices of flank steak in a savory sauce, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or Asian-inspired meals.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients before starting to cook the dish. Clean the beans and string, if necessary.
- Cut the green beans into crosswise halves.
- Trim the flank steak of all fat and slice it across the grain into paper-thin slices.
- Mix the soy sauce, sherry, and cornstarch together and set aside.
- Grate the ginger or use ginger powder if preferred.
- Heat sesame oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the sliced beef and stir-fry until browned and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and grated ginger; cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Pour in the beef stock or bouillon, and cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes.
- Serve hot, garnished with additional sesame oil if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a more intense flavor, marinate the flank steak in the soy sauce and sherry mixture for at least 30 minutes before cooking. If you don’t have fresh ginger, ginger powder works well. For added crunch, consider tossing in some sliced bell peppers or carrots along with the green beans. This dish is best served immediately but can also be made with leftover beef from recipes like Fried Beef With Spring Onion.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Chinese Beef With String Beans over a bed of steamed jasmine rice or alongside fried rice for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Chinese Fried Dumplings as an appetizer. For a refreshing contrast, consider serving a simple cucumber salad on the side, which complements the dish's savory flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of beef stock to prevent drying out. You can also microwave it, covered, on a low setting until heated through, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chinese Beef With String Beans contains roughly 1013 calories, with 8g protein, 28g carbohydrates, and 99g fat. It is a good source of protein (15% of the Daily Value) and iron (12% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?
Yes, while flank steak is ideal for its tenderness, you can substitute it with sirloin or ribeye. Just ensure to slice it thinly against the grain for the best texture. Cooking times may vary slightly based on the cut used.
What if I can’t find fresh green beans?
If fresh green beans aren't available, you can use frozen green beans as a convenient alternative. Just add them directly to the stir-fry without thawing, but note that cooking time may need to be adjusted slightly to ensure they are heated through.
Is this dish suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! This dish holds up well for meal prep. Simply prepare it as directed and divide into portions for the week. Just remember to store the rice separately to prevent it from becoming soggy.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).