Imagine a sizzling pan, tender steak strips glistening with a golden-brown crust, and the intoxicating aroma of garlic filling your kitchen. This Garlic Steak Stir Fry is not just a meal—it's a culinary adventure that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience. In just 25 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-quality dish that will have your family and friends begging for seconds, proving that gourmet cooking can be quick, simple, and absolutely delicious.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Asian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb steak, sliced
- 2 cups mixed vegetables
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by slicing the steak into thin, uniform strips against the grain to ensure tenderness. Mince the garlic cloves finely and chop mixed vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
- Season the sliced steak with salt and pepper. Allow the meat to rest at room temperature for 10 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large wok or wide skillet over high heat until the oil is shimmering and almost smoking.
- Add the seasoned steak strips to the hot pan, spreading them in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes without stirring, allowing the meat to develop a golden-brown sear.
- Stir and flip the steak pieces to cook the other sides, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until the meat is browned but still slightly pink in the center.
- Remove the steak from the pan and set aside on a clean plate, keeping it warm.
- In the same pan, add minced garlic and stir quickly for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Add mixed vegetables to the pan and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until they are crisp-tender and retain their vibrant color.
- Return the cooked steak to the pan, pour soy sauce over the mixture, and toss everything together for 1-2 minutes to combine and heat through.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or soy sauce if needed.
- Serve immediately, preferably over steamed rice or noodles, garnishing with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Tips
- Meat Matters: Always slice steak against the grain to ensure maximum tenderness. Cutting thin, uniform strips helps the meat cook quickly and evenly.
- High Heat is Key: Use a wok or heavy skillet and ensure it's scorching hot before adding ingredients. This creates that perfect sear and prevents the meat from steaming.
- Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Cook steak in a single layer to achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust. Overcrowding will cause the meat to steam instead of sear.
- Timing is Everything: Remove steak from the pan when it's still slightly pink in the center. It will continue cooking while resting, ensuring juicy, perfectly cooked meat.
- Garlic Control: Add minced garlic quickly and watch carefully—it can burn in seconds, turning bitter and ruining the dish's flavor.
- Vegetable Vibrancy: Stir-fry vegetables just until crisp-tender to maintain their color, nutrients, and texture.
- Final Touch: A splash of soy sauce at the end brings all flavors together, creating a harmonious and delicious final dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 7g
Protein: 27g
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 70mg
