Lean Beef Stir-Fry That Reheats Well
A fast, high-protein lean beef stir-fry built for meal prep: tender beef, crisp-tender vegetables, and a thick, savory sauce that stays glossy (not watery) after reheating.
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This is the kind of weeknight stir-fry that’s designed to become tomorrow’s lunch. The sauce is lightly thickened so it clings to the beef and veggies even after a microwave reheat. Cook it hot and fast, portion it out, and you’re set for a few consistent, high-protein meals.
Total Time
30 min
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
15 min
Servings
4
Ingredients
Beef
- •1 1/2 lb (680 g) 93–96% lean ground beef (or lean sirloin, thinly sliced)
Vegetables
- •1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- •2 medium carrots, cut into matchsticks or thin half-moons
- •3 cups broccoli florets (about 250–300 g)
- •1 small onion, thinly sliced
- •3 cloves garlic, minced
- •1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced (or 1 tsp ground ginger)
Sauce (meal-prep friendly)
- •1/3 cup (80 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
- •2 tbsp rice vinegar
- •2 tbsp oyster sauce (or hoisin for a slightly sweeter option)
- •1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- •1 tbsp honey or brown sugar (optional, balances salt)
- •1/2 cup (120 ml) low-sodium beef broth or water
- •1 tbsp cornstarch
- •1/2 tsp black pepper
- •Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
For cooking + serving
- •1 tbsp neutral oil (avocado, canola, or grapeseed)
- •2 cups cooked rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice (for serving, optional)
- •2 tbsp sliced green onions (optional)
- •1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Mix the sauce: In a bowl or shaker cup, whisk soy sauce, rice vinegar, oyster sauce, sesame oil, honey (if using), broth/water, cornstarch, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until smooth. Set aside.
- 2
Prep the vegetables: Slice onion and bell pepper, cut carrots, and portion broccoli. Keep garlic and ginger ready—stir-fry moves fast.
- 3
Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high. Add oil, then beef. Cook 6–8 minutes, breaking it up, until browned and any liquid has mostly cooked off. If there’s excess fat, drain it to keep the meal prep lean.
- 4
Cook aromatics: Add onion, garlic, and ginger to the beef. Stir 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- 5
Stir-fry the vegetables: Add carrots and broccoli first; cook 3 minutes, stirring. Add bell pepper and cook 2 more minutes. Aim for crisp-tender so it doesn’t turn mushy after reheating.
- 6
Thicken the sauce: Re-whisk the sauce (cornstarch settles), then pour into the pan. Stir constantly 1–2 minutes until it bubbles and thickens, coating everything.
- 7
Portion for meal prep: Divide into 4 containers. Cool 10–15 minutes before sealing. Add rice/quinoa in the same container or keep separate to control texture.
- 8
Reheat: Microwave 60–90 seconds, stir, then 30–60 seconds more until hot. If it looks too thick after chilling, add 1–2 tbsp water and stir.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Nutrition calculated automatically from ingredients.