Sauteed Beef and Onion
Sauteed Beef and Onion have very few ingredients. Only soy sauce, lemon, and thin slices of onion. An easy and delicious weeknight dinner.
the secret to having a tender beef stir fry
Beef stir fry is a quick and delicious meal for your busy weeknight and if you cook a big batch, you’ll have an excellent leftover for the next day. Preparation is key to achieving tender and delicious sauteed or stir-fried beef. Don’t hesitate to ask your butcher for the best cut of beef, or you can buy packages of pre-cut beef strips available in the meat case.
I always buy sirloin or top-round beef. These are inexpensive cuts and very flavorful. Also, I prepare my beef by cutting the meat against the grain. Equally important is to identify which direction the grain is running. With this in mind, look for the parallel muscle and slice the meat in the opposite direction. In other words, the muscle fibers are shortened and it becomes easier to chew.
Read “A Guide to All the Cuts of Beef” to get a better understanding of different cuts of beef and be informed the next time you cook.
ingredients
- A tender cut of beef. Sirloin or Top Round is normally what I buy, and cut into 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut the onion into thin slices.
- Soy sauce has full of umami that boosts the flavor of this dish.
- Lemon balances the salt from the soy sauce and works very well with the beef and onion.
- Salt and pepper to season the beef.
how to make sauteed beef and onion
- Slice the onion into thin slices.
- Juice one lemon. Use a strainer to catch the seeds.
- Cut the meat against the grain. This means you’re shortening those muscle fibers and becomes easier to chew.
- Place the meat in a bowl and season them with salt and pepper, toss to coat well.
- Heat a nonstick skillet or cast iron skillet with oil. Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding slices of beef.
- Cook in batches. Don’t overcook the meat, when it starts browning on both sides, then remove them from the pan and set them aside.
- Use the same pan and add the onion and season with a pinch of salt. Stir, and cook until tender.
- Season with soy sauce and add the cooked beef. Constantly stir and finish cooking by adding the lemon juice.
- Immediately serve.
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Sautéed Beef and Onion (Bistek)
Equipment
- Cast iron skillet or nonstick skillet
- Bowl
- Wooden Spatula
- knife
- cutting board
- Measuring spoon
Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- Juice of one lemon
- 1 pound tender cut beef, cut thinly
- salt and pepper
- 3 tablespoons oil
Instructions
- Cut the onion into thin slices. Juice one lemon and set them aside. Season the slices of beef with salt and pepper, and toss to coat well.
- Heat the pan with oil, add the beef, and brown on both sides for about a minute. Don't overcook the beef. The outside should be brown, and still pink when you cut through the slices of beef.
- Remove the cooked beef from the pan, and set them aside. Use the same pan and add the onion. Sautee until tender or translucent. Add the soy sauce for flavoring. And add the beef back into the pan.
- Finish cooking by adding the lemon juice. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
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OPTION IF YOU LIKE TO HAVE A THICKER SAUCE:
- Make the sauce by combining 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce, 2 teaspoons of cornstarch, 1 tablespoon of water, and the juice of one lemon. This sauce makes a more flavorful Sautéed Beef and Onion.
- It only takes a short time to sear the slices of beef. Don’t overcook them, the outside should be nicely browned and pink when you cut inside. Check out my Teriyaki and Noodle Stir-fry recipe for another easy and delicious dinner.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? Tag @leanbellaskitchen hashtag #leanbellaskitchenfrequently ask questions
CAN I FREEZE THEM AFTER COOKING:
- Yes, but I suggest keeping them in a freezer bag for individual servings. This way, you’ll have only what you need for that day.
WHAT CAN I SERVE THE SAUTEED BEEF AND ONION WITH:
- You serve it with steamed rice. Also, steam some veggies like broccoli or carrots.
WOULD PORK WORK:
- Yes, cut them thinly and cook them the same way as the beef.
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Hi there! Nice to meet you. My name is Jen.
Hello, nice to meet you! I’m Jen, a mom of 2 wonderful girls. I love to prepare home-cooked meals. Cooking and planning your meals might sound like another chore added to your already long list of things to do. Believe me, I’ve been there. For me, cooking more meals at home is worth all the effort. After years of cooking for my family and teaching culinary classes, I can honestly say that I have more control over the quality of the ingredients I use. That means I’m eating a lot better.
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring and you don’t have to eat the same thing repeatedly. There are ways we can naturally enhance our food’s flavor and enjoy home-cooked meals.