FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You Need My Beef Stir Fry Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Beef Stir Fry
• My Recipe Tips
• Serving Ideas
• More Easy Stir Fry Recipes
• Beef Stir Fry (Easy Recipe) Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

This easy beef stir fry recipe is one of my go-to busy-day meals when I’m bored with chicken. It’s quick and easy, it’s made in one pan, and it’s packed with flavor. With thin slices of tender flank steak , an array of colorful veggies, a simple homemade beef stir fry sauce, and fast prep, this dish has so much going for it. If you like my chicken stir fry or pepper steak recipes, you’ll love this one. Make it with me for a quick, healthy dinner !

Why You Need My Beef Stir Fry Recipe

• Bold umami flavors
• Juicy strips of steak with tender veggies
• Simple, flavorful marinade
• Fresh, natural ingredients
• Fast 15-minute cook time
• Gluten free, dairy free, and just plain healthy
• Quick, easy and flavorful take out meal at home

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my stir fry beef recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

Beef Stir Fry Sauce & Marinade:

• Coconut Aminos – This is my favorite soy sauce substitute and makes up the base of the marinade and sauce. It adds a hint of sweetness without needing the brown sugar that beef stir fry recipes often have. You could also use low sodium soy sauce if you prefer, but the sauce will be less sweet.
• Lime juice – The acid tenderizes the beef. I often use bottled lime juice for convenience, but fresh lime juice tastes even better if you get the chance. You can also substitute another acidic ingredient, such as lemon juice or rice vinegar.
• Garlic – Fresh minced garlic will give you the best flavor (you’ll need four cloves), but you can substitute 2 teaspoons of jarred garlic for convenience.
• Fresh Ginger – Fresh grated ginger works best here, but you can substitute a pinch of ground ginger if you need to.
• Honey – You can use regular honey, or for a healthier option, sugar-free honey .

VARIATION: Want a thicker sauce?

Add 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch or a cornstarch substitute to the sauce, not while marinating but right before adding to the skillet. Skip this if you want to keep the dish low carb.

Stir Fry Beef & Veggies:

• Olive Oil – For searing the beef. Avocado oil would work as well.
• Flank steak – I think the best beef for stir fry is either flank steak (which I use here) or skirt steak , but you can use other cuts, like sirloin steak or flat iron steak. Slice thinly against the grain before marinating.
• Broccoli – Cut a fresh head of broccoli into florets or buy pre-cut broccoli florets for convenience.
• Snow Peas – Sugar snap peas, green beans or asparagus make excellent substitutions for snow peas.
• Bell Pepper – I used 1/2 of a red bell pepper and 1/2 of a yellow bell pepper for a variety of color. You could use any color you prefer.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper – You can also add some crushed red pepper flakes if you want extra heat.
• Garnishes – These are option, but I love sesame seeds and green onions for topping.

VARIATION: Use other veggies in your beef stir fry recipe!

Try carrots, cauliflower, mushrooms, onions, bok choy, bean sprouts, celery, cabbage, or water chestnuts. One of the best things about a vegetable stir fry is you can use what you have on hand!

How To Make Beef Stir Fry

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Make the beef stir fry sauce. In a small or medium bowl, whisk together the coconut aminos, lime juice, garlic, ginger, and honey.
2. Marinate the steak. Place the sliced steak in a zip lock bag and pour the marinade over it. Close the bag and move the steak around to coat well. (You can also toss the beef with marinade in a large bowl instead, then cover with plastic wrap.) Marinate in refrigerator.

1. Sear the steak. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. (I prefer this cast iron skillet , but a wok will work too. Choose a heavy one for best results.) Stir fry steak until browned on both sides. (Avoid stirring constantly.) Remove, cover, and set aside.
2. Stir fry the veggies. Add the broccoli, bell pepper slices, snow peas, sea salt and black pepper to the pan. Stir fry until the vegetables are crisp tender.

1. Add the sauce. Pour in remaining marinade and bring to a simmer. Add the steak back to the pan and stir to coat. Continue cooking until the marinade reduces slightly.
2. Garnish. Serve warm with sesame seeds and green onions, if desired.

My Recipe Tips

• Flash freezing the steak makes it easier to slice thinly. Place the flank steak in the freezer for about 30 minutes before slicing, which will make it more firm and help you slice it more thinly. The thinner, the better!
• If you have time, bring the steak to room temperature before cooking. This is not required, but helps it cook more evenly. You can just set it out on the counter in the last 20 minutes of marinating.
• Make sure your pan is heavy for good heat distribution. One of my favorite durable pans for stir fry and high-heat cooking is this cast iron skillet , can also use a wok .
• Don’t move the steak too much when searing. Let the steak cook on one side before flipping it. This will give it a nice sear on both sides. Save the stir frying for cooking the veggies and sauce.
• Don’t discard the marinade! You’ll need it to use as a beef stir fry sauce later!
• When stir frying the vegetables, you want them a little undercooked. They should turn bright in color but still be crisp. They will finish cooking after you add the sauce.

Serving Ideas

This beef stir fry recipe makes an easy one-pan meal all on its own, but if you want to add a little something…

• Rice – This is the most common pairing for beef stir fry, as it soaks up the extra sauce! White rice, brown rice, or for a lighter option, cauliflower rice (pictured above) would all work great. You could also serve it alongside fried rice or cauliflower fried rice .
• Noodles – You can use any kind you like, but I usually go for lighter options like zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash .
• Salad – Try a smashed cucumber salad or an Asian-inspired cabbage salad .

More Easy Stir Fry Recipes

A stir fry is my go-to dinner when I’m short on time or energy! Try some of my other favorites:

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 1/2 cup Coconut aminos (or low sodium soy sauce) ▢
• 1 tbsp Lime juice ▢
• 2 tsp Garlic (minced) ▢
• 1 tsp Fresh ginger (grated or minced) ▢
• 2 tbsp Honey (I used sugar-free honey but regular also works) ▢
• 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 1 lb Flank steak (sliced into thin strips, 1/4"-1/2" thick and ~2.5-3" in length) ▢
• 2 cups Broccoli (cut into small florets) ▢
• 1 cup Snow peas ▢
• 1 large Bell pepper (sliced into thin strips; I used 1/2 red and 1/2 yellow) ▢
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper ▢
• Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish) ▢
• Green onions (optional, for garnish; sliced) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the marinade: coconut aminos, lime juice, garlic, ginger and honey.
2. Place the sliced steak in a plastic bag and pour the marinade over it. Remove any extra air and seal. Use your hands to mix, coating the steak well with marinade. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour , or up to 24 hours.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steak. (Reserve the marinade from the bag for later.)
4. Sear the steak until browned on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the steak from the pan and cover with foil to keep warm.
5. Add the broccoli, bell pepper, snow peas, salt and pepper to the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes , stirring often, until the vegetables are crisp tender.
6. Pour in the remaining marinade and bring to a simmer.
7. Add the steak back to the pan and stir to coat. Continue cooking for 4-5 minutes , until the marinade reduces slightly.
8. Serve with sesame seeds and green onion for garnish, if desired.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you slice steak easily, cook it evenly, get the best sear, and make sure your stir fry turns out flavorful and perfectly crisp!
• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
• Meal Prep: Chop the veggies ahead and marinate the beef up to a day in advance. Or make the whole stir fry and pack it up for easy lunches!
• Reheat: A quick stir-fry in a hot skillet with a little oil works best. The microwave is okay in a pinch, but the texture won’t be as good.
• Freeze: Let it cool, then freeze in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 3 months.
• Note on nutrition info: The nutrition info above uses sugar-free honey and does not include optional garnishes.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my 30 Dinners In 30 Minutes !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Beef Stir Fry Recipe

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Beef Stir Fry (Easy Recipe)

You’ll love this easy beef stir fry recipe with tender steak, colorful vegetables, and simple stir fry sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/beef-stir-fry/

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Coconut aminos (or low sodium soy sauce)
• 1 tbsp Lime juice
• 2 tsp Garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp Fresh ginger (grated or minced)
• 2 tbsp Honey (I used sugar-free honey but regular also works)
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 lb Flank steak (sliced into thin strips, 1/4"-1/2" thick and ~2.5-3" in length)
• 2 cups Broccoli (cut into small florets)
• 1 cup Snow peas
• 1 large Bell pepper (sliced into thin strips; I used 1/2 red and 1/2 yellow)
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper
• Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
• Green onions (optional, for garnish; sliced)

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the marinade: coconut aminos, lime juice, garlic, ginger and honey.
2. Place the sliced steak in a plastic bag and pour the marinade over it. Remove any extra air and seal. Use your hands to mix, coating the steak well with marinade. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour , or up to 24 hours.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steak. (Reserve the marinade from the bag for later.)
4. Sear the steak until browned on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the steak from the pan and cover with foil to keep warm.
5. Add the broccoli, bell pepper, snow peas, salt and pepper to the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes , stirring often, until the vegetables are crisp tender.
6. Pour in the remaining marinade and bring to a simmer.
7. Add the steak back to the pan and stir to coat. Continue cooking for 4-5 minutes , until the marinade reduces slightly.
8. Serve with sesame seeds and green onion for garnish, if desired.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you slice steak easily, cook it evenly, get the best sear, and make sure your stir fry turns out flavorful and perfectly crisp!
• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
• Meal Prep: Chop the veggies ahead and marinate the beef up to a day in advance. Or make the whole stir fry and pack it up for easy lunches!
• Reheat: A quick stir-fry in a hot skillet with a little oil works best. The microwave is okay in a pinch, but the texture won’t be as good.
• Freeze: Let it cool, then freeze in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 3 months.
• Note on nutrition info: The nutrition info above uses sugar-free honey and does not include optional garnishes.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my 30 Dinners In 30 Minutes !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)