Stir-fried Beef and Bean Sprouts
[Chuseok Holiday Special] Quick & Easy Stir-fried Beef with Bean Sprouts – Ready in Minutes!
When you’re tired from preparing holiday dishes, or simply need a quick yet satisfying meal, I highly recommend this super simple ‘Stir-fried Beef and Bean Sprouts’. It’s incredibly easy to make, packed with rich flavor, and full of nutrition. Perfect as a side dish for rice or even as a topping for a delicious rice bowl. This versatile dish is a must-try!
Main Ingredients- 200g Beef (bulgogi or japchae cut)
- 1 pack Bean Sprouts (approx. 200g)
- 4 Spring Onions (scallions)
- 2-3 Shiitake Mushrooms (optional)
- 1/4 Broccoli (optional)
- A bit of Cilantro (optional)
- 2 Eggs (for scrambled eggs)
- 3-4 Cherry Tomatoes (for garnish)
Seasoning & Sauce Ingredients- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp Fish Sauce (or Korean soup soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 2 Tbsp Water (for cornstarch slurry)
- 1 Tbsp Cornstarch or Potato Starch (for cornstarch slurry)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp Fish Sauce (or Korean soup soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 2 Tbsp Water (for cornstarch slurry)
- 1 Tbsp Cornstarch or Potato Starch (for cornstarch slurry)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, finely chop the 4 spring onions. Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over low heat and gently sauté the onions until fragrant, releasing their aroma. Once you can smell the lovely onion scent, proceed to the next step.
Step 2
Add the thinly sliced beef to the pan, cutting against the grain. Slicing this way ensures the beef will be tender when you bite into it.
Step 3
Pour 1 tablespoon of soy sauce over the beef for seasoning. Turn up the heat to high and quickly stir-fry the beef, ensuring it doesn’t clump together. Keep stirring to prevent it from sticking to the pan as it cooks – this is key to a great stir-fry.
Step 4
Once the beef is mostly cooked, add the prepared broccoli and shiitake mushrooms to the pan and continue to stir-fry. These vegetables are optional, but they add wonderful texture and color to the dish.
Step 5
Add 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce to the pan to enhance the umami flavor. Oyster sauce will elevate the overall taste of your dish.
Step 6
Return the heat to high and quickly stir-fry all the ingredients until well combined. You’ll notice a delicious aroma developing as everything comes together.
Step 7
Now, add the final vegetable, the bean sprouts, to the pan. It’s important to add bean sprouts last and cook them briefly to maintain their crisp, crunchy texture.
Step 8
After adding the bean sprouts, stir-fry quickly over high heat with the other ingredients. Cook just until the bean sprouts are slightly wilted.
Step 9
Finely chop and add the cilantro. If you enjoy the unique aroma of cilantro, definitely include it for an enhanced flavor profile. If you’re not a fan, you can omit it.
Step 10
Once all the ingredients are well mixed and have a glossy appearance, prepare for the next step.
Step 11
To thicken the sauce, prepare a cornstarch slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of starch with 2 tablespoons of water. Make sure to mix it thoroughly to avoid any lumps.
Step 12
Gradually pour the cornstarch slurry into the pan while stirring. Once it reaches your desired consistency, bring it to a gentle boil to thicken, then immediately turn off the heat. Cooking it for too long can make the sauce gummy.
Step 13
Just before or right after turning off the heat, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil for a nutty aroma. Adding it off the heat helps preserve its fragrance.
Step 14
Finally, taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with fish sauce (or soup soy sauce) or salt according to your preference. A little extra seasoning can make it even more delicious.
Step 15
Serve the stir-fry generously over a bowl of warm rice. This creates a hearty and satisfying meal.
Step 16
For a complete meal, prepare scrambled eggs with the 2 eggs and garnish with halved cherry tomatoes for a pop of color. Enjoy your delicious Stir-fried Beef and Bean Sprouts, made quickly and easily!
