Chinese Garlic Beef Stir Fry Recipe

If you’re looking for a quick, flavorful dinner, try this Chinese Garlic Beef Stir Fry. Tender beef and whole garlic cloves come together in a rich, savory sauce for a restaurant-style meal ready in just 13 minutes.

It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. Beef is naturally rich in protein, making this dish both flavorful and satisfying.

Want to learn more about protein? Read our article to discover why it’s an important part of a balanced diet.

Serve this garlic beef stir fry with steamed rice, noodles, or your favorite vegetables for a complete meal.

If you enjoyed this Chinese Garlic Beef recipe, there are plenty of other beef dishes to explore for your next homemade meal. Try the sweet and savory flavors of beef bulgogi, warm up with a comforting bowl of Instant Pot beef stew, or make restaurant-style mongolian beef , crispy outside, juicy inside for a tasty and flavorful dinner.

Chinese Garlic Beef Stir Fry

Tender cubes of ribeye beef are marinated with soy sauce and black pepper, then stir-fried over high heat with crispy golden garlic in a rich savory sauce. This quick and flavorful Chinese Garlic Beef is perfect for a restaurant-style dinner at home and pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or pasta.

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Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 13 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course main course

Cuisine Chinese

Servings 4

Calories 423 kcal

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

For the Beef Marinade

• 1 lb beef ribeye beef, cut into bite-sized cubes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp cornstarch

For Stir Fry

• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• 20 cloves garlic peeled
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce

Instructions

 

Marinating the Beef

• In a bowl, combine the ribeye beef, olive oil, soy sauce, black pepper, and cornstarch.
• Mix until the beef is evenly coated.
• For extra flavor, marinate for 10 minutes if desired.

Frying the Garlic

• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.
• Add the whole garlic cloves
• Stir-fry for about 5 minutes, or until they are golden brown and fragrant.
• Remove the garlic from the pan and set aside.

Stir Frying the Beef

• Increase the heat to high and add the marinated beef to the pan.
• Stir-fry the beef for 4–5 minutes until browned on all sides.
• Add the sugar, soy sauce, and oyster sauce.
• Stir well and cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce coats the beef.

Adding the Fried Garlic Back

• Return the fried garlic to the pan and stir-fry for 1 more minute.
Meaningful Masala Tips:
Why Stir-Fry Over High Heat?
Quick searing: Creates a flavorful, browned exterior.
Prevents steaming: Allows excess moisture to evaporate quickly.
Better texture: Keeps the beef tender rather than tough and chewy.
Rich flavor: High heat promotes browning (the Maillard reaction), giving the beef a deeper, more savory flavor.

Notes

Meaningful Masala Notes:

Serving Suggestion:

Serve hot with plain rice, pasta or salad

Nutrition

Calories: 423kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 21gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 704mgPotassium: 390mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 3mg

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