This Steak Fried Rice combines tender beef, fresh vegetables, and fluffy rice, all stir-fried together with savory sauces and aromatic spices.
Whether enjoyed as a quick weeknight meal or a satisfying lunch option, beef fried rice is sure to please your taste buds and leave you feeling satisfied.
About this Steak fried Rice:
The dish boasts a rich umami flavor from the combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil, complemented by the sweetness of caramelized onions and the freshness of scallions.
The thinly sliced beef adds a hearty protein element, while the diced carrots provide a pop of color and texture.
What sets this dish apart is the careful balance of flavors and the ease of preparation, making it a go-to recipe for busy days.
Nutritional Attributes
This beef fried rice offers a balanced mix of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables, making it a wholesome meal option.
Beef provides essential nutrients like iron and zinc, while vegetables like carrots contribute vitamins and dietary fiber.
By using minimal oil and opting for lean cuts of beef, you can enjoy this dish without compromising on flavor or healthiness.
Preparation and Noteworthy Aspects:
Preparing the ingredients beforehand is key to streamlining the cooking process.
Marinating the beef with cornstarch and baking powder for 30 minutes ensures tender and flavorful meat, while chopping the vegetables in advance saves time during stir-frying.
You can of course skip the marination process if you’re running short of time but this might result in a less tender meat.
Using day-old rice or cooking the rice ahead of time helps achieve the perfect texture for fried rice, with each grain distinct and not clumped together.
Ingredients & Alternatives:
For the Steak Marinade:
- Soy sauce: Provides saltiness and savory flavor. You can use low-sodium soy sauce if preferred.
- Oyster Sauce: Adds richness and sweetness to the marinade. Alternatively, you can use hoisin sauce.
- Cornstarch (for a more tender beef): Helps to tenderize the beef and thicken the marinade. You can omit this ingredient if desired, but the beef may be slightly less tender.
- Baking soda (for more tender beef): Also helps to tenderize the beef by breaking down proteins. Use sparingly as too much can affect the flavor and texture of the meat.
For the dish:
- Cooked rice (preferably day-old): Any variety of rice works, but long-grain white rice or jasmine rice are commonly used.
- Beef: I’m using Beef Steak meat for this recipe. Choose tender cuts of beef such as sirloin, flank, or ribeye for best results.
- Eggs: Fresh eggs work best for this dish. It’s always best to use free-range or organic eggs for a higher-quality option.
- Onions: Use yellow or white onion according to your preference.
- Fresh garlic minced: Fresh garlic provides the best flavor, but you can substitute with garlic powder if needed. Each clove of minced garlic is approximately equivalent to 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Carrot diced: Carrots add sweetness and color to the dish.
- Ginger paste: Fresh ginger adds a fragrant, spicy flavor. You can substitute with ground ginger if fresh ginger is not available. Each teaspoon of ginger paste is approximately equivalent to 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger.
- Sesame Oil: Adds a nutty flavor and aroma to the dish.
- Light Soy Sauce: Provides saltiness and umami flavor. Use low-sodium soy sauce if you prefer a less salty dish.
- Dark Soy Sauce: Adds color and depth of flavor to the dish. If unavailable, you can increase the amount of light soy sauce.
- Oyster Sauce: Adds richness and sweetness to the dish. If you’re vegetarian or allergic to shellfish, you can use vegetarian oyster sauce made from mushrooms as a substitute.
- Scallions: Scallions add freshness and a mild onion flavor.
Tips and Tricks:
- Ensure the beef is thinly sliced against the grain for tenderness.
- Use a well-seasoned wok or pan for better flavor development.
- Stir-fry the ingredients over high heat to achieve that classic wok hei (breath of wok) flavor.
- Make extra servings and store leftovers in the fridge for a quick and convenient meal option the next day.
FAQ:
Why is it best to use day-old rice?
Using day-old rice works best as it has a firmer texture and won’t become mushy when stir-fried. If you don’t have leftover rice, you can cook fresh rice and spread it out on a baking sheet to cool quickly before using it in the recipe.
Can I make this dish vegetarian or vegan?
Yes, you can make a vegetarian version by omitting the meat and adding more vegetables or tofu. For a vegan option, substitute the oyster sauce with vegetarian oyster sauce or soy sauce.
How do I prevent my fried rice from becoming soggy?
To prevent soggy fried rice, make sure to use cold, cooked rice and avoid adding too much sauce. Additionally, ensure that your pan or wok is hot enough before adding the ingredients and stir-fry them quickly over high heat.
Steak Fried Rice
Ingredients
For the dish
- 2 cups Cooked rice (preferably day-old)
- 3 Eggs
- 300 g Beef Steak thinly sliced, any type of beef will do!
- 1 Onion finely chopped
- 4 cloves Fresh garlic minced
- 1 Carrot diced
- 1 tsp Ginger paste
- 1 tsp Sesame Oil
- 3/4 tbsp Light Soy Sauce
- 3/4 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce
- 1/2 tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 2 Scallions chopped, white and greens separated
For the Steak Marinade
- 2 tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1 1/2 tbsp Cornstarch (for more tender beef)
- 1 tsp Baking soda (for more tender beef)
Instructions
Prepare ingredients:
- Slice the beef against the grain and into thin strips for easier cooking.
- Wash all vegetables thoroughly.Chop the onion into small pieces.Cut the carrot into tiny cubes.Finely chop the fresh garlic cloves.Slice the scallions thinly, separating the white and green parts.
Marinate the Beef:
- In a bowl, mix the thinly sliced beef with soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch and baking soda. Let it marinate for 30 minutes.
Cook rice (if needed)
- If you don't have any leftover rice, boil water and cook rice as per the instructions on the packaging, then set aside.
Fried Rice preparation:
- Crack the eggs into a bowl, add a pinch of salt, and beat them until well combined. Heat a pan over medium heat, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil, and scramble the eggs until just set. Set aside.
- Heat a tablespoon of oil in a wok or large pan over medium-high heat.Stir-fry the marinated beef until it's browned and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add another tablespoon of vegetable oil. Sauté onions, garlic, ginger and scallion whites until fragrant.Add diced carrots and continue stir-frying until they start to soften.
- Add the cooked rice to the pan, breaking up any clumps.Pour dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil over the rice, stirring well to ensure even coating.
- Mix in the cooked beef and scrambled eggs, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients.Stir-fry everything together until the rice is heated through.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.Sprinkle chopped scallion greens over the fried rice for a fresh finish.Enjoy!