Beef with oyster sauce is one of my favorite dishes for its simplicity. It’s got excellent flavor, beautiful texture, and is one of those dishes you can throw together any night. It impresses guests but is perfect for a dinner for two, too. Everyone always asks me how Chinese restaurants get beef to have such a tender texture. It’s a valid question since many times, the meat is of a tougher cut (such as flank or skirt steak). I’m going to show you exactly how to make beef with oyster sauce just like the restaurants do, and the simple ingredients that can help you achieve that sublime texture.
Beef with oyster sauce ingredients
Secret ingredient
And now, on to my secret! I use baking soda. Yes, that’s right. Simple baking soda, which can do millions of amazing things so it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. But why does it make the beef extra juicy and tender? When you mix it in with the other marinade ingredients, it helps raise the pH on the surface of the meat. This makes it harder for the proteins to bond excessively and elicits the perfect texture once you cook it. Now you can try it out when you make beef with oyster sauce or any other beef stir fry such as Mongolian Beef and Beef with Broccoli.
Vegetables
And while this beef is just divine, it really needs a little green to make it more colorful and balanced. With asparagus in season, I couldn’t think of a more perfect partner. However, I encourage you to use whatever fresh veggies you have on hand, particularly whatever is seasonal for you. Other vegetables, such as broccoli (need to blanch this before adding it to the stir fry), bell peppers, chili peppers, baby bok choy, and snow peas are all great options.
Mise en place
When you’re ready to cook, your table should have:
Marinated beef Chopped veggies (onion and asparagus) Aromatics (ginger and garlic) Mixed sauce
When you get the prep work done and organized, the cooking part is super easy!
How to make beef with oyster sauce
Sear the beef Cook the ginger, garlic and onion Stir fry with the asparagus Pour in the sauce Add back the cooked beef Stir everything together
Beef with oyster sauce is just dreamy over steamed white rice, making for the perfect meal that comes together in minutes!
Other delicious takeout recipes
Chinese Lemon Chicken Beef with Snow Peas Crispy Peanut Butter Chicken Pork Chop Suey Chicken with Black Bean Sauce (豉汁爆鸡球)
