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!
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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.
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.
How To Make Sesame Beef
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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.
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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.)
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Add red bell pepper and sauté for 1 minute. Add in the reserved sauce and bring to a simmer.
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In a small bowl combine cornstarch and water. Slowly add cornstarch mixture to pan. Continuously stir until sauce is thickened, about 1 minute.
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Serve immediately with green onions and sesame seeds for garnish if desired.
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!
What To Serve With Sesame Beef
- Fried, white, or brown rice
- Or, for a low-carb option, try cauliflower rice
- Steamed or roasted vegetables
- Chow mein noodles
- Lo mein
- Steamed dumplings
- Zucchini noodle stir fry
More Takeout Recipes To Make at Home
- Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef
- Easy Pepper Steak
- Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken
- The BEST Fried Rice
- 20-Minute Cashew Chicken
- Easy Chicken Lo Mein
- Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry
Sesame Beef
Ingredients
- 1 pound flank steak, sliced against the grain into strips
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- green onions, sliced
- sesame seeds for garnish
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
Did you make this?
I'd love to hear your feedback! Leave a review and make sure to share your pictures on social media! Don't forget to follow @thechefsavvy.
Nathan
Here’s the nutritional breakdown
calories 655
Total Fat 32 g
Saturated Fat 7 g
Monounsaturated Fat 9 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 10 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 75 mg
Sodium 310 mg
Potassium 300 mg
Total Carbohydrate 63 g
Dietary Fiber 5 g
Sugars 52 g
Protein 32 g
Vitamin A 19 %
Vitamin C 64 %
Calcium 39 %
Iron 42 %
Jenna
Thank you Nathan! Is this for one serving or the whole dish?
Edward
It seems like it’s per serving. There is way more protein in a pound of flank steak. 100g of flank steak has approx. 28g of protein.
missyb
What other cuts of meat would work besides flank steak. I have a beef share and rarely get flank, but have lots of roast, stew meat , sirloin and ribeye.
Kelley
Hi Missy!
I would say the closest to flank steak is skirt. However out of the ones you listed I think your best bet would be maybe the sirloin!
I hope that helps, Thanks!
Kelley
Kathy
Pretty enough to eat! I love your fast and flavorful recipes!
NA
This recipe had great flavor. It is very easy to do the prep well ahead of time. Cooking time is less than 5 minutes. So you could easily serve it to guests. The only alteration I made was instead of adding the cornstarch to the sauce I sprinkled it over drained meat before I quick fried it with the green onions & sweet peppers. This gives the meat a little crispier texture. This recipe is a keeper!
Kelley Simmons
So glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thanks so much for sharing!