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Create a tender, juicy, and effortlessly delicious Ginger and Scallion Beef stir-fry at home using simple ingredients. This easy ginger beef recipe is ready in just 15 minutes!
Ginger Beef Recipe
Ginger and Scallion Beef, a classic in Cantonese cuisine, brings together simple yet bold flavors. Ginger Beef originates from Guangdong (Canton) province in China. It’s a popular dish in Cantonese cuisine.
Thin slices of beef are quickly marinated in soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch to tenderize and add a savory touch. The star ingredients, ginger and scallions (also known as green onion or spring onion), are then stir-fried with the beef.
Ginger adds a zesty kick with its spicy aroma, complementing the rich beef. Scallions contribute a fresh crunch and mild sweetness, the vibrant green color enhances both flavor and appearance.
The zesty ginger and fresh green onion combinations elevate the beef, making it a flavorful and satisfying meal, especially when served with a bowl of steaming white rice.
This ginger beef recipe was the very first Chinese recipe I mastered when I started cooking. It’s one of my favorite beef stir fry recipes, other than Mongolian Beef, Sesame Beef, and Onion Scallion Beef.
Ginger Beef Stir Fry
In Chinese cuisine, “jiang cong” (姜葱), which literally translates to ginger scallion (or ginger spring onion), is a revered combination often used in stir-fries.
To achieve the best ginger beef stir fry, start by slicing the beef thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness. It’s crucial to have all ingredients prepped, measured, and ready near the wok or skillet. When cooking, spread the beef in a single layer in the wok or skillet for even cooking.
Fresh ginger and scallions are essential for enhancing the flavors of this dish.
Variation and Subtitution: If you’re not fond of beef, you can also enjoy the delightful pairing of ginger and scallion chicken or with seafood such as ginger and scallion crab and ginger scallion fish.
Ginger Beef Ingredients
This classic Chinese meal calls for the following ingredients:
- beef flap meat, beef tenderloin, or beef flank steak
- ginger
- scallions or spring onions. Feel free to use them abundantly in this recipe. The fresh, vibrant flavor will enhance the dish, adding a delightful aroma and taste.
Brown Sauce Ingredients
For the ginger scallion sauce, combine the following ingredients:
- oyster sauce
- Maggi seasoning
- sesame oil
- water
- cornstarch
- dry sherry or Shaoxing wine (optional)
- sugar
- salt
- white pepper powder
Cooking Tip: When preparing ginger beef stir fry recipe, you have the option of using either young or old ginger. Young ginger imparts a mild and subtle ginger flavor, whereas old ginger delivers a stronger and more intense taste to your sauce. Both types of ginger can be used depending on your preference for the level of ginger flavor in your dish.
How To Make Ginger Scallion Beef
Step 1. Coat the sliced beef with corn starch and let it sit for 10 minutes. Mix all the sauce ingredients together and set them aside.
Step 2. In a wok or skillet, heat the oil over high heat until very hot. Stir-fry the ginger until fragrant, then add the beef slices and continue stir-frying for a few minutes until cooked through.
Step 3. Add the sauce and stir-fry a couple of times until it thickens. Then, add all the scallions, stir the dish until well combined.
Step 4. The best way to enjoy freshly cooked beef with ginger and scallion stir-fry is alongside a steaming bowl of white rice.
Helpful Tips For Home Cooks
- Slice the beef into thin, equal bite-sized pieces. Once in the wok or skillet, spread the meat in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
- Tenderize the sliced beef by coating it with corn starch. This process, known as velveting in Chinese cooking, results in incredibly tender beef.
- The wok or skillet should be fully heated before stir-frying. You’ll know it’s reached the optimum heat when a swirl of white smoke appears on its surface.
- Prepare the ginger scallion sauce in a small bowl by mixing all the ingredients. Make sure any corn starch is fully dissolved. Give the sauce a quick stir before adding it to the stir-fry to ensure even distribution. Aim for a light coating of sauce on the ingredients for an authentic Chinese stir-fry.
Mastering Perfect Chinese stir-frying techniques enables you to create restaurant-quality Chinese dishes in the comfort of your own home.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best cuts of beef are those that are tender and slice thinly, such as flank steak, sirloin, or tenderloin. You want a cut that will cook quickly and remain tender after stir-frying.
Absolutely yes! You can substitute chicken or pork for beef in a ginger scallion dish. You can also make it with seafood such as fish, crab and clams. Adjust the cooking times accordingly as different proteins may require slightly different cooking times to ensure they are fully cooked through.
This is a healthy dish, especially if lean cuts of beef are used and it’s served with plenty of vegetables and served with whole grains like steamed brown rice.
Yes! You can make a vegetarian version using tofu or tempeh instead of beef. Cut the tofu or tempeh into equal size pieces and stir-fry according to the recipe. This provides a similar flavor profile without meat.
This recipe is only 494 calories per serving.
What To Serve With Ginger Beef
For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
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Ginger and Scallion Beef Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz (230g) beef flap meat, beef tenderloin or beef flank steak, sliced
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 inch (2.5cm) ginger, peeled and thinly shredded
- 3 stalks scallions, cut into 2-inch (5cm) lengths
Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon Maggi seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 4 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 dashes white pepper powder
- 1/2 tablespoons dry sherry , or Shaoxing wine, optional
Instructions
- Coat the sliced beef with cornstarch and let it sit for 10 minutes. In a separate bowl, mix all the Sauce ingredients together and set them aside.
- In a wok or skillet, heat the oil over high heat until very hot. Add the ginger and stir-fry until fragrant, then add the beef slices. Continue stir-frying for a few minutes until the beef is cooked through.
- Add the sauce and stir-fry for a couple of minutes until it thickens. Then, add all the scallions and stir until well combined.
- The best way to enjoy freshly cooked beef with ginger and scallions is alongside a steaming bowl of white rice.
Notes
- Slice the beef into thin, bite-sized pieces. Once in the wok or skillet, spread the meat in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
- Tenderize the sliced beef by coating it with corn starch. This process, known as velveting in Chinese cooking, results in incredibly tender beef.
- Ensure the wok or skillet is fully heated before stir-frying. You’ll know it’s reached the optimum heat when a swirl of white smoke appears on its surface.
- Prepare the ginger scallion sauce in a small bowl by mixing all the ingredients. Make sure any corn starch is fully dissolved. Give the sauce a quick stir before adding it to the stir-fry to ensure even distribution. Aim for a light coating of sauce on the ingredients for an authentic Chinese stir-fry.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi Bee
Do i still need to coat the beef with cornstarch AFTER velveting the beef with baking soda?
No need but you can if you want. Just make sure you rinse the baking soda off.
DELICIOUS RECIPE!!!
I made this almost according to recipe (substituted soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce for the maggi seasoning). It was easy, quick, and a got rave reviews all around. Thanks for sharing this!
Awesome thanks and please try more recipes on my site: https://rasamalaysia.com/recipe-index-gallery/
I love love love this recipe. This is my favorite dish over everything, except lobster. I fry the beef first, then fry sliced mushroom andbok chit. After a bit, I put the green onion in and stir fry it. Then I add the beef, stir that all together, the pour in the sauce. I have no idea if this is the way I’m supposed to do it, but it seems to be working. I cannot find this made at any restaurant, so I’m so glad I found this website years ago. Thank you for posting it.
Thank you for the recipe.. I followed exactly and it came out sooo good and yummy
Awesome!
Hello. How do you “marinate” the beef in dry cornstarch? Do you mean dredge the beef in cornstarch until it’s fully coated then set it aside for 10 minutes? Or am I missing some other wet marinade ingredient? Thanks.
Coat the beef with cornstarch.
This is SO DELICIOUS – my favourite thing to order from a takeout and this version is WAY more delicious and must be healthier….??? I don’t have, or even know what maggi seasoning is, but it’s delicious without it so I don’t feel like anything is missing. I cook this regularly for my family now. Yum.
Hi Rachel thanks for trying my ginger and scallion beef recipe. Please try more recipes on my site: https://rasamalaysia.com/recipe-index-gallery/
This stir fry is fabulous, I love that it is quite a classic sauce which means I always have the ingredients on hand! The beef DOES look beautifully caramelised. Thank you for sharing. Pinning!
Please check out all my Chinese food and recipes here: https://rasamalaysia.com/chinese-food-recipes-chinese-recipes/
Easy and delicious. Occasionally I substitute onions for the scallions. The result is also delicious. Thanks for this recipe.
Thanks for trying my ginger and scallion beef recipe.
Love your site! But it would be nice if you didn’t have to click through each link to get to the recipe page…!
Hi Chantal thanks for your comment. My website has been built this way since its inception 10 years ago, but I appreciate it your honest feedback.
can we omit sesame oil?
Yes
This looks amazing..as do all of your recipes! :) Just wondering though, when do I add the scallions? Can’t seem to find it in the recipe. Also, Im from Toronto, Ontario in Canada and have been having a hard time finding some ingredients. You wouldn’t happen to know of any places that sell Asian spices or sauces that ship to Canada at reasonable shipping rates, would you? I know it’s a long shot but no harm in asking, right?
In any case, thanks again for the wonderful recipes and for the help!
Hi Lisa,
I also am in Toronto. You can get everything you need from the grocery chain Nations or TNT.
Hi Rasa – I will surely try this recipe. I love beef and I love quick recipes ☺️.
Just a small correction. You wrote in Step #2 “All scallions” but I think you meant “Add scallions”? Thanks.
Can you buy Maggi seasoning in a grocery store and if not what can you substitute in its place?
Worcestershire sauce or Thai Mountain sauce