Asian Cube Steak Stir Fry (Printable)
Tender cube steak in a soy-ginger-sesame marinade, pan-seared with crisp stir-fried vegetables.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 4 cube steaks, about 1.1 lb total
→ Marinade
02 - 3 tbsp soy sauce
03 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tbsp sesame oil
06 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
07 - 1 tbsp honey
08 - 1 tsp cornstarch
→ Vegetables
09 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
10 - 1 cup sugar snap peas
11 - 1 small onion, thinly sliced
12 - 2 green onions, chopped
→ Garnish
13 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
14 - Fresh cilantro, to taste (optional)
# How-To:
01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, grated ginger, minced garlic, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, and cornstarch until smooth and well combined.
02 - Arrange the cube steaks in a shallow dish and pour half of the marinade over them, turning to coat evenly. Allow to marinate for at least 10 minutes at room temperature. Reserve the remaining marinade for the stir-fry.
03 - Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat with a light drizzle of oil. Sear the marinated cube steaks for 2 to 3 minutes per side until nicely browned and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
04 - In the same skillet, add the sliced red bell pepper, sugar snap peas, and onion. Stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
05 - Return the seared steaks to the skillet and pour in the reserved marinade. Toss everything together and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens, coats the steak and vegetables with a glossy finish, and is heated through.
06 - Transfer to serving plates and garnish with toasted sesame seeds, chopped green onions, and fresh cilantro if desired. Serve alongside steamed rice or noodles.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Cube steak is incredibly affordable and the marinade transforms it into something that tastes like you ordered takeout from a fancy restaurant.
- Everything cooks in one pan which means cleanup is almost nothing and the vegetables soak up all those leftover savory juices.
02 -
- Do not skip the cornstarch in the marinade because without it the sauce will be watery and slide right off the meat instead of clinging in a beautiful glaze.
- Letting the steak marinate for a full hour in the fridge takes this from good to absolutely unforgettable and worth planning ahead for.
03 -
- Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry skillet for two minutes until fragrant because the pre toasted ones from the store taste flat and stale by comparison.
- Save a tablespoon of the raw marinade before it touches the meat and drizzle it over the finished vegetables for an extra punch of bright uncooked flavor.