- Slice the beef. Thinly slice the beef against the grain into strips. This ensures the beef stays tender during cooking.
- Prepare the vegetables. Trim the woody ends from the asparagus and cut it into 2-inch pieces. Slice the onion and bell pepper (if using). Mince the garlic and ginger (if using).
- Make the sauce. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes (if using). If you want a thicker sauce, dissolve the cornstarch in a small amount of water and add it to the sauce mixture.
Stage 2: Stir-Frying the Beef
- Heat the oil. In a large pan or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the sliced beef in a single layer and sear for about 2-3 minutes without stirring, allowing it to get a nice caramelization on one side.
- Cook the beef. Stir-fry the beef for another 2-3 minutes until it is browned and cooked through. Remove the beef from the pan and set it aside.
Stage 3: Cooking the Vegetables
- Stir-fry the asparagus. In the same pan, add a little more oil if necessary and stir-fry the asparagus over medium-high heat for about 3-4 minutes until it starts to become tender but still crisp. Add the onion and bell pepper, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are just tender.
- Add garlic and ginger. Add the minced garlic and ginger to the pan and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stage 4: Bringing It All Together
- Combine the beef and sauce. Return the cooked beef to the pan with the vegetables. Pour the sauce over the beef and vegetables and stir well to coat everything evenly. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce has thickened and everything is well coated.
- Taste and adjust. Taste the stir-fry and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, or more soy sauce if needed.
Stage 5: Serving
- Garnish and serve. Remove the stir-fry from the heat. Garnish with sesame seeds and fresh cilantro (if desired) and serve immediately.
- Serve with rice or noodles. This stir-fry pairs beautifully with steamed rice, jasmine rice, or noodles for a complete meal.
Tips for the Best Garlic Beef and Asparagus Stir-Fry:
- Use thinly sliced beef. For the best texture, slice the beef against the grain and as thinly as possible. This will ensure the beef stays tender.
- Don’t overcook the asparagus. Asparagus cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it to ensure it stays crisp-tender.
- Customize with other vegetables. You can add mushrooms, snap peas, or baby corn to the stir-fry for extra variety and color.
- Add a spicy kick. If you like heat, add some chili paste, sriracha, or fresh chili peppers to the sauce.
Final Thoughts:
This Garlic Beef and Asparagus Stir-Fry is quick, flavorful, and perfect for a healthy meal. The savory sauce, tender beef, and crisp asparagus come together to create a dish that’s satisfying yet light. Whether served over rice, noodles, or on its own, this stir-fry is sure to be a hit!