Ginger Beef is a crispy and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a comforting dinner. With a sweet and savory sauce, this recipe combines tender strips of flank steak with caramelized ginger. Although it’s often considered a Canadian-Chinese dish, it’s incredibly simple to make at home. The ginger gives it a delightful warmth, while the crispy beef provides the perfect texture. Whether you love Mongolian Beef or are just looking for a unique twist on your regular stir-fries, this dish is sure to impress!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Beef and Marinade:

• 1 lb flank steak (sliced into ¼-inch slices, against the grain)

• 2 tsp cornstarch

• 2 tsp neutral oil (vegetable, canola, or avocado oil)

• 1 tsp oyster sauce

• 1 tbsp water

• ¼ tsp baking soda

For the Sauce:

• ⅔ cup water

• 1 ½ tbsp light brown sugar

• 1 tbsp light soy sauce

• 1 tbsp oyster sauce

• ¾ tsp dark soy sauce (or regular soy sauce)

• ½ tsp sesame oil

• 1 tbsp minced ginger

For the Rest of the Dish:

• ⅓ to ½ cup cornstarch

• ¼ to ⅓ cup neutral oil (for frying)

• 2 tbsp finely julienned ginger

• 1 scallion, thinly sliced

Directions

1. Marinate the Beef:
   In a medium bowl, combine flank steak slices with cornstarch, neutral oil, oyster sauce, water, and baking soda. Mix well and let marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.

2. Prepare the Sauce:
   In a liquid measuring cup, mix together water, brown sugar, soy sauces, sesame oil, and minced ginger. Set aside.

3. Coat the Beef:
   Add cornstarch to a shallow dish. Dredge marinated beef slices in cornstarch until fully coated.

4. Fry the Beef:
   Heat neutral oil in a wok over high heat. Once the oil is hot, add half of the beef slices and sear them for 1-2 minutes on each side until crispy. Remove and set aside. Repeat with the remaining beef.

5. Fry the Ginger:
   Drain most of the oil from the wok, leaving 2 tbsp. Turn heat to medium-high, add julienned ginger, and fry until crispy. Remove some pieces for garnish.

6. Make the Sauce:
   Add the pre-mixed sauce to the wok and simmer for 2 minutes. Mix cornstarch with 3 tbsp of water and add the slurry to the sauce to thicken.

7. Combine and Serve:
   Add the fried beef and sliced scallions to the sauce, tossing everything together for 30 seconds until well-coated. Serve with steamed rice.

Nutrients (Per Serving)

• Calories: 374 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 17g

• Protein: 25g

• Fat: 22g

• Saturated Fat: 4g

• Cholesterol: 68mg

• Sodium: 612mg

• Potassium: 438mg

• Fiber: 0.4g

• Sugar: 5g

• Vitamin A: 30 IU

• Vitamin C: 1mg

• Calcium: 35mg

• Iron: 2mg

Marinating the Beef: Tenderizing and Flavor Infusion

The marination process is key to achieving tender beef with great flavor. Flank steak is a great choice for this dish because of its lean yet flavorful nature. Slicing the steak against the grain into ¼-inch slices allows the beef to absorb the marinade more effectively, making each piece of meat tender and flavorful.

The marinade is a combination of cornstarch, neutral oil, oyster sauce, water, and a pinch of baking soda. The cornstarch helps to create a crispy exterior once the beef is fried, while the oyster sauce infuses the beef with umami-rich flavor. The baking soda tenderizes the meat, ensuring that it remains soft and juicy during the frying process. Letting the beef marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for the best flavor) ensures that the meat absorbs all the seasonings, making it perfectly ready for frying.

Preparing the Sauce: Sweet, Savory, and Aromatic

The sauce for Ginger Beef is the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and aromatic elements. It includes a mixture of light brown sugar, soy sauces, sesame oil, and minced ginger. The brown sugar adds sweetness that caramelizes during cooking, while the soy sauces provide a rich, savory depth to the dish. Dark soy sauce (or regular soy sauce) adds color and flavor, making the sauce beautifully complex.

Sesame oil contributes a nutty, slightly smoky taste that enhances the overall flavor profile. The fresh minced ginger is the star of the sauce, infusing the dish with a fragrant, peppery warmth. This sauce is the perfect complement to the crispy beef and caramelized ginger, creating a satisfying contrast of flavors in every bite.

Coating and Frying the Beef: Crispy and Golden Perfection

The key to achieving crispy beef in Ginger Beef is the dredging process. After marinating, the beef is coated in cornstarch, ensuring a crunchy, golden exterior once fried. The cornstarch creates a light, crisp texture without being overly greasy, giving the dish a satisfying crunch that contrasts with the tender interior of the beef.

To fry the beef, heat neutral oil in a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Fry the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can cause the pieces to steam rather than fry. The beef should be fried for 1-2 minutes on each side until it turns crispy and golden. Once fried, remove the beef from the wok and set it aside to drain on paper towels.

Frying the Ginger: Enhancing Flavor and Texture

Fried ginger is one of the signature elements of Ginger Beef. After frying the beef, some of the oil is drained from the wok, leaving just enough to fry the julienned ginger. The ginger is fried until it becomes crispy, which deepens its flavor and adds a crunchy texture that contrasts beautifully with the beef. Some of the crispy ginger is removed for garnish, adding both visual appeal and extra flavor to the final dish.

Making the Sauce: Thickening and Flavor Infusion

Once the ginger is fried, the pre-made sauce is added to the wok and simmered for a few minutes to bring all the flavors together. The sauce is then thickened with a cornstarch slurry, which is simply a mixture of cornstarch and water. This slurry thickens the sauce, giving it a glossy, smooth texture that coats the crispy beef perfectly.

The beef is then tossed in the sauce along with sliced scallions, which add a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color. The result is a dish where the crispy beef is fully coated in a rich, flavorful sauce, with just the right amount of caramelized ginger to bring everything together.

Serving Ginger Beef: A Delicious, Satisfying Meal

Serve Ginger Beef immediately with a side of steamed rice to soak up the delicious sauce. The crispy beef, rich sauce, and tender ginger create a satisfying and flavorful meal that’s perfect for dinner. You can also pair it with a light side of stir-fried vegetables or a simple green salad for added freshness. The dish is a complete meal on its own, but it can also be served as part of a larger spread of Chinese or Asian-inspired dishes.

Why Ginger Beef is a Hit

Ginger Beef is a dish that works on many levels. It’s crispy, flavorful, and satisfying, with just the right balance of sweet, savory, and aromatic notes. The caramelized ginger gives the dish a warmth that pairs perfectly with the crunchy beef and rich sauce. The simplicity of the ingredients allows the natural flavors of the beef to shine, while the cooking method ensures a dish that’s both crispy and tender.

Ginger Beef is perfect for those who love Mongolian Beef or other stir-fry dishes but are looking for a unique twist. The dish’s quick cooking time makes it ideal for busy weeknights, while its vibrant flavors and crispy texture make it impressive enough for special occasions or dinner parties. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will be a hit with anyone who enjoys bold, savory flavors.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of Ginger Beef provides approximately 374 calories, with 25 grams of protein, making it a satisfying and filling dish. While the dish is a bit higher in fat due to the frying process, it provides healthy fats from the sesame oil and is a great source of protein from the beef. The dish is also relatively low in carbohydrates, making it suitable for low-carb diets. The addition of fresh ginger and scallions provides some additional vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and calcium, though the dish is moderate in sodium due to the soy sauce.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ginger Beef is a flavorful, crispy, and aromatic dish that’s perfect for a cozy dinner or as a show-stopping dish at a dinner party. The balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors, along with the crispy beef and rich sauce, makes it a satisfying and delicious meal. Whether you’re a fan of stir-fries or just looking for a new way to enjoy beef, this dish is sure to impress. It’s easy to make, full of flavor, and perfect for any occasion, making it a must-try in your cooking repertoire.