Beef & Garlic Scapes Stir-Fry Recipe
If you’re a fan of quick, flavorful stir-fry dishes, this Beef & Garlic Scapes Stir-Fry is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something fast but loaded with flavor. Garlic scapes, which are the curly, tender shoots of garlic plants, add a subtle, garlicky crunch to this dish. If you can’t find garlic scapes at your local market or grocery store, green onions or green beans make excellent substitutes.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and adaptability. In less than 30 minutes, you can have a satisfying meal on the table, and it’s easy to adjust the spice level to suit your palate. Plus, the dish is versatile enough to serve alongside rice or noodles, or even as a topping for a big salad if you’re looking for a low-carb option.
Recipe Details:
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: Chinese, Asian-inspired
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Ingredients & Nutritional Information
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soy sauce | 2 tbsp | Provides the savory base for the marinade. |
| Cornstarch | 1 tbsp | Helps tenderize the beef and thicken the sauce. |
| Gingerroot, grated | 1 tsp | Fresh ginger adds a zesty, spicy kick. |
| Garlic cloves, minced | 1 clove | Enhances the garlicky flavor profile. |
| Hot pepper, thinly sliced | 2 small | Adjust to your spice tolerance. Use gloves for prep. |
| Garlic scapes, cut into 2-inch pieces | 1/2 lb | Substitute green onions or green beans if scapes are unavailable. |
| Salt | 1/4 tsp | Adjust to taste. |
| Beef sirloin or flank steak | 1 lb | Thinly sliced against the grain. |
| Vegetable oil | 3 tbsp | Divided for stir-frying. |
| Beef or chicken stock | 1/4 cup | Adds moisture and helps combine flavors. |
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 460.6 kcal |
| Fat Content | 33.9 g |
| Saturated Fat Content | 11.2 g |
| Cholesterol | 111.1 mg |
| Sodium | 777.8 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 3.9 g |
| Fiber | 0.3 g |
| Sugars | 0.7 g |
| Protein | 33.3 g |
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
In a large bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, cornstarch, grated ginger, and minced garlic. This will be the marinade for the beef, infusing it with deep flavors that enhance the overall dish. Add in a pinch of salt to season the marinade.
Step 2: Marinate the Beef
Take the beef (preferably flank steak or sirloin) and slice it thinly across the grain. Cutting against the grain helps break down the muscle fibers, ensuring a more tender bite once cooked. Add the sliced beef into the marinade bowl and toss to coat evenly. Let the beef marinate for at least 15 minutes to absorb all those savory flavors.
Step 3: Blanch the Garlic Scapes
While the beef marinates, prepare the garlic scapes. In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the scapes for about 2 minutes, until they are tender-crisp. Once done, drain the garlic scapes and quickly refresh them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Pat them dry and set aside for later.
Step 4: Prepare the Hot Pepper
For an added kick, you’ll be working with hot peppers. Be sure to wear rubber gloves while handling them, as they can irritate the skin. Slice the peppers in half lengthwise, deseed them, and finely slice the flesh. Adjust the amount of pepper to your desired spice level; you can always start with one and add more if you like extra heat.
Step 5: Stir-Fry the Beef
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a wok or large, deep skillet over high heat. Add the marinated beef in batches (so it sears rather than steams) and stir-fry each batch for about 2 minutes until browned but still slightly pink inside. Transfer the cooked beef to a bowl, and repeat this process with the remaining beef, adding more oil as necessary.
Step 6: Stir-Fry the Hot Pepper and Garlic Scapes
In the same wok or skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and stir-fry the hot pepper slices for about a minute, allowing the heat to release its flavors. Then, return the blanched garlic scapes to the wok and stir-fry for another minute. This will give them a chance to soak up the spicy, savory flavors in the pan.
Step 7: Combine and Finish
Now, return the stir-fried beef (along with any accumulated juices) to the wok. Pour in the beef or chicken stock to help bring the flavors together and deglaze any browned bits stuck to the pan. Stir-fry everything together for another minute or until everything is heated through.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Your Beef & Garlic Scapes Stir-Fry is ready to serve! Pair it with steamed rice, noodles, or a simple side of stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal. This dish is best enjoyed fresh and hot, but it also makes for great leftovers the next day.
Recipe Tips:
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Substitutes for Garlic Scapes: If garlic scapes aren’t available, you can easily substitute them with green onions, which offer a mild flavor, or green beans for a similar crunch.
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Customizing Heat Levels: If you’re not a fan of spicy foods, feel free to reduce the amount of hot pepper or skip it altogether. You can also experiment with milder peppers like bell peppers for a more subdued heat.
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Slicing Beef Thinly: The key to a tender stir-fry is thinly sliced beef. Freeze the beef for about 20 minutes before slicing to make it easier to cut thinly against the grain.
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Batch Cooking Beef: Avoid overcrowding the wok when stir-frying the beef. Cooking it in batches ensures a good sear on the meat, which enhances the flavor and texture.
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Vegetable Options: Feel free to get creative with your vegetable choices! While garlic scapes are traditional in this recipe, you could add snow peas, bell peppers, or bok choy to increase the vegetable content.
This Beef & Garlic Scapes Stir-Fry is an excellent recipe for those who enjoy bold flavors but need something quick and easy. Whether you’re trying out garlic scapes for the first time or using a substitute like green beans, this stir-fry delivers a satisfying combination of savory beef, tender-crisp vegetables, and just the right amount of heat.
