This super easy sesame beef recipe is comprised of tender flank steak that’s stir fried with red peppers and green onions. Best of all, it tastes better and is healthier than takeout!

If you like making classic takeout recipes at home, then you’ve got to try my  Easy Beef Fried Rice and my Authentic Chicken Lo Mein!

overhead view of Sesame Beef in a skillet with peppers and green onions and sesame seeds

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    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    This Sesame Beef Stir Fry is AMAZING and so simple. Marinate the beef overnight and you have a quick and easy meal to throw together the next day.

    This dish is just like the Sesame Beef you get at a takeout restaurant except it’s even better AND healthier. Most Sesame Beef recipes are fried in oil. I went on the lighter side and stir fried the beef instead. It’s just as juicy will less oil and calories.

    And the trick to this dish is cooking the steak quickly over high heat. It gets a nice sear on the outside, but stays juicy on the inside.

    One of the best things about this Sesame Beef is the sauce! The sauce consists of brown sugar, dark soy sauce, regular soy sauce and water. I use half of the sauce as a marinade and the other half to cook with the beef.

    If you love this recipe then give my Mongolian Beef a try!

    Sesame Beef Ingredients

    • Flank steak: You’ll need one pound of flank steak sliced against the grain (to optimize tenderness) into thin strips.
    • Dark soy sauce: This can be found in the International Isle in the grocery store or Asian supermarket stores.
    • Low-sodium soy sauce: Helps to keep the salt level down in this recipe.
    • Light brown sugar: Adds the perfect amount of sweetness to the sauce!
    • Sesame oil: All you need is a little bit to add a nice toasted nuttiness to the sauce.
    • Garlic: I always love to use garlic in my stir frys!
    • Bell pepper: I used a red bell pepper however you can do a mix of colors
    • Cornstarch: Added with water the cornstarch thickens up the sauce.

    TIP: Not a fan of beef? You can swap chicken, shrimp, tofu, or even extra veggies in this sesame beef recipe! They all pair well with that luscious sauce.

    closeup of Sesame Beef in a white bowl with peppers and green onions and sesame seeds

    How To Make Sesame Beef

    • Add both soy sauces, brown sugar and water to a medium bowl and stir to combine. Pour half of the sauce into another bowl and set aside. (We will be using this when we cook the beef). Add steak to the other 1/2 of the sauce and marinade for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
    pouring soy sauce on top of flank steak in clear bowl
    • When you are ready to cook add sesame oil to a large skillet or wok. Add in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Remove steak from marinade and sauté for about 1-2 minutes on each side. (You want the pan to be very hot so the steak cooks quickly and browns.)
    searing flank steak and garlic in skillet
    • Add red bell pepper and sauté for 1 minute. Add in the reserved sauce and bring to a simmer.
    adding sliced red bell peppers to sliced beef in skillet
    • In a small bowl combine cornstarch and water. Slowly add cornstarch mixture to pan. Continuously stir until sauce is thickened, about 1 minute.
    tossing steak in sauce
    • Serve immediately with green onions and sesame seeds for garnish if desired.
    serving sesame beef in white bowl topped with sesame seeds and green onions

    Storage Tips

    Store any cooled leftover sesame beef in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. This is a great meal-prep recipe!

    You can also freeze this sesame beef fully cooked for a month, or raw with the prepared sauce and parboiled veggies for up to 3 months. I recommend freezing flat in a plastic storage bag to optimize storage space.

    If you like this recipe you will love my Beef Rice Recipe!

    closeup of Sesame Beef in a skillet with peppers and green onions and sesame seeds

    What To Serve With Sesame Beef

    closeup of Sesame Beef in a skillet with peppers and green onions and sesame seeds

    More Takeout Recipes To Make at Home

    Sesame Beef

    5 from 2 votes
    Super Easy Sesame Beef. Tender flank steak stir fried with red peppers and green onions. Better and healthier than takeout!
    Servings: 4
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes

    Ingredients 

    Instructions 

    • *NOTE: Prep time does not include marinating time*
    • Add both soy sauces, brown sugar and water to a medium bowl and stir to combine.
    • Pour half of the sauce into another bowl and set aside. (We will be using this when we cook the beef)
    • Add steak to the other 1/2 of the sauce and marinade for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
    • When you are ready to cook add sesame oil to a large skillet or wok.
    • Add in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
    • Remove steak from marinade and saute for about 1-2 minutes on each side. (You want the pan to be very hot so the steak cooks quickly and browns.
    • Add red bell pepper and saute for 1 minute.
    • Add in the reserved sauce and bring to a simmer.
    • In a small bowl combine cornstarch and water.
    • Slowly add cornstarch mixture to pan. Continuously stir until sauce is thickened, about 1 minute.
    • Serve immediately with green onions and sesame seeds for garnish if desired.

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 249kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 26gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 834mgPotassium: 492mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 931IUVitamin C: 39mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 2mg

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