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Flank Steak Stir-Fry with Asparagus and Red Pepper

Flank Steak Stir-Fry with Asparagus and Red Pepper

Recently I got a call from my friend Elizabeth who said, "You've got to try my mother's flank steak; it's soooo good!" I begged the recipe from Maria (Elizabeth's mother) and tried it out last night. It was terrific. Very tasty, everyone ate it right up. Best thing about it? It's fast and easy. Maria adapted her recipe from one in a Williams Sonoma cookbook (details below).

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Flank Steak Stir-Fry with Asparagus and Red Pepper Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/2 lb asparagus, trimmed, cut on the diagonal into 1 1/2 inch lengths (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1 lb of flank steak, sliced in half lengthwise (along the grain) and then cut into thin strips, 2 inches long and 1/4 inch wide (put the steak in the freezer for 15 minutes before slicing to make it easier to slice)
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded, de-ribbed, and cut into thin strips 2 inches long and 1/4 inch wide
  • 2 teaspoons of cornstarch dissolved into 3 Tablespoons of water

All Purpose Stir Fry Sauce

  • 3 Tbsp soy sauce (use gluten-free soy sauce for gluten-free version)
  • 1 tsp finely chopped, peeled, fresh ginger
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced
  • 1 green onion, including green tops, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp chili oil

Method

1 While you are chopping the ingredients in preparation, bring a small saucepan of water to boil. Parboil the asparagus pieces for 2 minutes, drain, rinse in cold water, drain, and set aside. If you are planning to serve this dish with rice, in a separate pan, prepare 2 cups of white rice, following the instructions on the rice package.

2 Prepare the All Purpose Stir Fry Sauce by combining the ingredients in a small dish, and set aside.

3 Stir-fry the asparagus in a wok (or a thick-bottomed pan with at least 2" sides that can take high heat) in 1 Tbsp of oil, on high heat, for about 2 minutes until lightly browned. Remove asparagus from pan and set aside.

4 Add another 1 Tbsp of oil to the pan and stir fry the beef strips, in 2 batches, for 2-3 minutes until browned but still pink inside. Return the first batch of beef to the pan and add the bell pepper. Stir and toss over high heat until just beginning to wilt, 1-2 minutes.

5 Quickly stir the cornstarch liquid and add it to the pan along with the stir fry sauce. Cook until sauce thickens, 1-2 minutes. Return the asparagus to the pan, toss to evenly coat and serve with steamed white rice (unless you are going low-carb, in which case, leave out the rice).

Serves 4.

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30 Comments

I made this for dinner last night...FABULOUS!!! My husband (picky eater) just about licked the wok!

Posted by: Colleen on May 13, 2005 1:23 PM

Normally I take the lead on dinner in my house, but I had a huge headache a few nights ago. Spouse to the rescue! He asked what I had planned to cook. I gestured weakly toward the picture on this blog. He decided to give it a go, although generally he's hesitant about trying new recipes, especially on a weeknight. I mixed the sauce, but he did the rest. Thanks for this great, straightforward recipe--the fantastic results have really encouraged him. His own review: "It's so good it makes me want to cry." Whoa!

Posted by: Denise on May 14, 2005 4:40 PM

I like to cook a lot on Sunday so I have lots of leftovers to take to work for a few days. I made this last night and just loved it. The only thing different I did was used seasoned wok oil instead of chili oil since I didn't have any and couldn't find it at two different grocery stores I visited. The wok oil is made of garlic oil, sesame oil, onion oil, and something else I can't remember. I threw in a few flakes of red pepper to give it some heat. The sauce is just so flavorful! The only thing I might do differently next time is use low-sodium soy sauce. I do low-carb, so without the rice it's a little salty. I imagine it's perfect with rice though.

I've cooked at least a half-dozen of your recipes. I LOVE your website!

Posted by: Sheeijan on June 6, 2005 4:48 PM

Hi, I tried this recipe and it was great! But, I like chicken a lot so any tips on when and how long to add the chicken instead of the beef?

I would say about the same. But if you try it, please let us know what worked for you. ~Elise

Posted by: nancy on October 1, 2007 8:55 AM

Wow...this recipe looks yummy, will try some day..thanks

Posted by: Jean on May 18, 2009 2:13 AM

I was looking last night for a seasonal stirfry and this is perfect! I can't wait to try it tonight. Thanks Elise!

Posted by: Veronica on May 18, 2009 5:46 AM

I have a family member who is currently "off" steak of all kinds, so I'm going to try this with chicken -- or pork or maybe even shrimp. I'm also going to substitute sesame oil and red pepper flakes for the chili oil.

Posted by: Sally on May 18, 2009 5:59 AM

This may be a stupid question but how do you know how to cut along the grain?

Not a stupid question at all. Muscle cells are in the shape of long skinny toothpicks. In a flank steak the muscles fibers are are aligned in one direction, you can see this by looking at the steak, there are dozens of parallel lines or tiny indentations on the surface of the steak. Flank steak comes from a well exercised muscle on the steer, which, unless you break up the muscle fibers will be very tough and chewy. The easiest way to "tenderize" the meat, is to cut it in thin strips, "against the grain" or cutting across the muscle fibers. So, look at the way the lines are going on the steak, and cut, not in the same direction, but across them, in the perpendicular direction. ~Elise

Posted by: phil on May 18, 2009 6:18 AM

My husband LOVES this recipe; he requests it three times a month.

We've found the sauce is a little weak for our taste, so I've tripled it (with low-sodium soy sauce), add more ginger powder, and the flavors are just WOW. I also add a little more chili oil to give it a kick.

Posted by: faye on May 18, 2009 8:28 AM

Looks beautiful!

Posted by: zoe on May 18, 2009 12:46 PM

Simple, quick and tasty? It's for me! I'll try tomorow for my hungry sons... Thank you posting this recipe again!

Posted by: Dominique (de vous à moi...) on May 18, 2009 1:58 PM

I love flank steak and am very sad it has gotten so expensive. I buy it whenever I see it on special.

Indeed! They had it on sale at our local Raley's grocery store for $5/pound last week, while at Whole Foods it was selling for $15/lb. ~Elise

Posted by: Kate on May 18, 2009 2:22 PM

Great stir fry over brown rice. Yum!

Posted by: The Duo Dishes on May 18, 2009 4:25 PM

This looks wonderful! I love stir-fry and especially with flank steak. Can't wait to try this one :)

Posted by: Ashley on May 18, 2009 6:23 PM

It looks so nice and juicy! Even better that it's easy - a perfect weeknight meal.

Posted by: Cate O'Malley on May 18, 2009 7:09 PM

This looks great! I have been looking for a good stir fry recipe and this looks like one I could get at a great chinese restaurant! Can't wait to try it!

Posted by: ashlea on May 18, 2009 8:31 PM

Looks very beautiful Elise...

Posted by: Srivalli on May 19, 2009 2:42 AM

I love the colors in this - so pretty. I wonder if it would be of any value to sear the individual items before cooking? You'd have to be fast with that thin steak, but maybe it would up the flavor even more? Ditto the red pepper and the asparagus.

This came to mind because I roasted some red peppers in class yesterday (I'm a culinary school student) and the taste is always so wonderful on those.

Hmmm. Your recipe has me intrigued!

Well, since the items are cooked in a little oil on high heat in a wok or skillet, until just browned, I think that qualifies as searing. I had our commercial gas range on high to cook this, and I never use that setting, tends to burn everything else. ~Elise

Posted by: student on May 19, 2009 8:07 AM

This was great! I left the aspargus on the side served the rest over the top of it and added more peppers (to accomodate my picky husband). We are so happy to have the knowledge to make these now.

Posted by: SAWII on May 19, 2009 11:20 AM

Just tried this tonight, using leftovers from your grilled marinated flank steak recipe - terrific! I stir-fried the red peppers for a minute before adding the already-medium rare slices of flank steak. Very easy, very flavorful.

Posted by: Burk on May 19, 2009 9:32 PM

Instead of white rice try brown rice, it's healthier and it tasted really good.

Posted by: Monica on May 20, 2009 9:48 AM

Thank you for posting this wonderful recipe. I made this for dinner a couple of nights ago and my husband absolutely LOVED it. He loves asian food and he is very particular, but the flavor and balance in this dish was out of this world. He has requested this one again, and it has only been 2 days since I made it for the first time. This one is a winner, anyone out there that is looking for a great meal with lots of flavor and ease in preparation has to try this one.

Posted by: Lilly on May 20, 2009 3:13 PM

Looks great, but who stole the sesame seeds?

Posted by: Ken S. on May 21, 2009 6:05 AM

What is the proper way to cook a good flank steak?

Sear it quickly, then slice it thinly against the grain. We have 2 excellent recipes for flank steak, one pan fried flank steak the other, grilled marinated flank steak. ~Elise

Posted by: maureen wilson on May 23, 2009 9:03 AM

Hi, I ran into this wonderful site a few weeks ago and I was delighted to see these wonderful recipes that looked very appealing yet simple to make.

I made this dish the other night (Flank Steak Stir-Fry with Asparagus and Red Pepper) and it was very yummy. My son who is home from College liked it so much he wanted me to make it again.

The next one I want to try are the Basil Chicken in Coconut Curry Sauce and that Chocolate Ganache Torte! I can't wait for the weekend to come.

I was wondering if you would consider recommending appropriate wine to pair with these dishes.

Just a thought.

Keep it coming!
Esther

Posted by: Esther on May 27, 2009 9:25 PM

Wow, this was good. I used reduced sodium soy sauce and canola oil in place of vegetable oil. My husband raved about it! He took it to work for leftovers today and said it tasted even better than it did last night. My 18 month old ate it too. What a find! And this was so fun to make, i'll definitely add to the rotation. I'm off to put a link to this recipe on my own personal blog!!!

Posted by: Melissa on June 1, 2009 7:39 PM

Hi! I'm just wondering if someone can tell me where to buy chili oil. I couldn't find it at my regular grocery store. Thanks!

Posted by: Aja on June 17, 2009 9:32 PM

Aja ... Did you look in the Asian food aisle?

Posted by: missy on June 18, 2009 3:38 PM

I just made this for Father's Day... never cooked flank steak before and was worried it would be tough but it came out so tender and so good! The only think I changed is added more pepper b/c I love a lot of veggie... another keeper Elise! My recipe binder starting to be full of your recipes!

Tx!

Posted by: Soyon on June 23, 2009 8:34 AM

LOVE this stir fry. It's already in our regular menu rotation. The sauce is awesome! Thanks for sharing yet another fabulous recipe.

Posted by: Carol on July 23, 2009 9:48 PM

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