Beef Asparagus

4.60 from 10 votes

Beef asparagus is a tasty Chinese dish that combines tender beef with fresh asparagus, all coated in a rich brown sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a perfect go-to for quick weeknight dinners. The sauce brings out the savory flavors of the beef and asparagus, making each bite absolutely satisfying!

Prep Time20

Cook Time5

Total Time25

Course: Beef

Cuisine: Chinese Recipes

Keyword: Beef Asparagus

Servings: people

Author: Bee Yinn Low

Ingredients

8 oz (230g) beef cut into thin strips
2 tablespoons oil
1 clove garlic minced
6 oz (175g) asparagus cut into long strips
1 small red bell pepper cut into long strips

Marinade:

1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
3 dashes ground black pepper
1 teaspoon fish sauce or oyster sauce
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon soy sauce

Sauce:

1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon dark soy sauce for coloring purpose
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons shaoxing wine
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup water
1 pinch salt

Instructions

Marinate the beef with all the Marinade ingredients for 15 minutes.
Combine all the ingredients for the Sauce, stirring well, and set aside.
Heat a wok and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Once the oil is hot, add the beef and stir quickly until the surface turns opaque and is slightly charred. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
Clean the wok and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. When the oil is hot, add the garlic and stir-fry until fragrant. Add the asparagus and stir a few times before returning the beef to the wok.
Add the sauce and stir to combine well. Stir in the bell pepper and dish out to serve.

Notes

One common mistake in Chinese stir fries is that the sauce can often be gloppy, gooey, and overly starchy, making the dish unappetizing. A good stir fry should have a light sauce that coats the ingredients just right.

To ensure the beef is tender, slice it against the grain.

Traditional Chinese techniques like "velveting" and marinating the meat with cornstarch keep the beef juicy and tender while enhancing the flavor.

Another effective method for making meat—whether beef or chicken—extra juicy and moist is to flash fry it in really hot oil or do a quick stir-fry until it’s half cooked. I always use this method, just like in this beef asparagus recipe.

Nutrition