After a particularly exhausting Wednesday at work, I dragged myself through my front door with one thought: takeout. The menus in my kitchen drawer seemed to whisper my name. But as I reached for my phone, I glanced at the clock, 5:45 PM. Even delivery would take 45 minutes. On a whim, I decided to challenge myself.
Twenty-five minutes later, I sat down to a plate of teriyaki beef that looked and tasted like it came straight from my favorite restaurant downtown. The apartment was filled with a savory-sweet aroma as tender strips of meat and vibrant vegetables glistened with sauce. My husband, who had just arrived home, did a double-take. “When did you order this?” they asked, genuinely confused. Their surprise was the ultimate compliment.
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Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
The combination of high heat and quick cooking preserves the beef’s tenderness while giving it a flavorful caramelized exterior. Using frozen vegetables not only saves prep time but actually helps maintain their crispness and vibrant color since they’re flash-frozen at peak freshness. The cornstarch in the sauce creates the perfect thickness that clings to every bite of beef and vegetables, just like your favorite restaurant version.
Ingredients
- Sirloin tip steak – Provides tender, flavorful protein that cooks quickly
- Teriyaki sauce – Delivers authentic sweet and savory flavor base
- Water – Helps thin the sauce to proper consistency
- Cornstarch – Creates the perfect sauce thickness that clings to ingredients
- Sugar – Balances the savory elements with subtle sweetness
- Cooking spray or vegetable oil – Prevents sticking and aids in browning
- Frozen mixed vegetables – Adds color, nutrition, and texture without prep work
- Water chestnuts – Contributes a refreshing crunch to contrast with tender ingredients
Ingredient Notes
The beauty of this recipe lies in its accessible ingredients:
- Water chestnuts – While they add a delightful textural contrast, they contribute minimal flavor. Feel free to omit them if unavailable.
- Beef – Sirloin tip or skirt steak works perfectly. The key is slicing it thinly against the grain for maximum tenderness. Pro tip: Freeze the steak for about 30 minutes before slicing to make it easier to cut into thin strips.
- Teriyaki sauce – Both traditional and modern-style bottled sauces work well. For variety, try substituting with ginger-garlic or Szechuan sauce.
- Vegetables – Look for frozen vegetable mixes specifically labeled for stir-fry use. If you prefer fresh vegetables but still want convenience, many grocery stores offer pre-sliced refrigerated stir-fry mixes containing bell peppers, broccoli florets, green beans, mushrooms, and snow peas.
How to Make Beef Stir Fry With Teriyaki Sauce
To prepare this dish:
- Slice the sirloin tip steak into thin slices across the grain. Freezing the meat for about 30 minutes before cutting will help. Set aside and allow the meat to come up to room temperature.
- Stir the teriyaki sauce, water, cornstarch, and sugar in a small bowl until the cornstarch and sugar dissolve. Set aside for later.
- Heat a large skillet or flat-bottomed wok over high heat.
- Spray the hot pan with cooking spray or add a half tablespoon of vegetable oil.
- Add the cut beef to the hot pan and cook until you lightly brown the meat. Remove the beef from the pan and set it aside until later.
- Add the frozen vegetable to the pan and toss well for about 30 seconds to quickly defrost.
- Pour the sauce mixture and add the water chestnuts to the pan. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
- Return the beef along with any drippings to the pan and cook until the vegetables are hot.
- Serve immediately.
How to Turn This Into Beef Broccoli Teriyaki Stir Fry
To make this variation, fresh broccoli is best, but you can use frozen broccoli if that is all you have available. If you are using fresh broccoli, you will have to steam it for about two to three minutes and then stop the cooking process by running cold water over it. Make sure you don’t overcook the broccoli when steaming.
To cook the Beef Broccoli Teriyaki Stir Fry, follow the directions above, but substitute the steamed broccoli for the mixed vegetables.
What to Serve With Beef Stir Fry
Many people like to pile this stir fry on top of a bed of white rice, but you can also use brown rice, cauliflower rice, noodles, or quinoa. Pair this dish with Cream Cheese Wontons, a salad with Japanese Dressing, or a bowl of Egg Drop Soup for an Asian-inspired meal.
How to Store Beef Stir Fry With Teriyaki Sauce
Allow the stir fry to cool to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container and putting it in the fridge. Try to use up any extra stir fry within a day or two.
How to store and reheat
- Refrigerate: Store cooled leftovers in an air-tight container for 3 days.
- Stovetop – Add a tablespoon or two to a hot pan and the leftover stir fry to reheat on the stove. Cook until hot and serve. Y
- Microwave – you can also reheat the stir fry in the microwave. Put the leftovers in a bowl, cover the bowl with a paper towel, and nuke for 90 seconds. Stir well. If the beef stir fry isn’t hot enough, heat for another 30 seconds.
- Freeze: Not recommended as the vegetables can become mushy when thawed
Quick Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry with Frozen Vegetables
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3/4 pound sirloin tip steak cut into thin strips
- 1 16-ounce bag frozen vegetables (broccoli, carrots, sugar snap peas)
- 1/4 cup water chestnuts
Instructions
- Combine the teriyaki sauce, water, cornstarch, and sugar in a small bowl. Stir to combine.
- Spray a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Cook the beef strips in the skillet over medium-high heat for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the sauce, frozen vegetables, and water chestnuts to the skillet and bring to a boil. Quickly reduce the heat to medium and cook for 7 to 10 minutes or until the vegetables are heated through, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and serve on a bed of rice.
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Nutrition
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Check out more of my easy beef recipes and the best Asian recipes on CopyKat!
This made for a wonderful dinner!