Go Back

Spicy Coconut Beef & Green Bean Stir-Fry

A quick and flavorful weeknight dinner featuring tender beef and crisp green beans in a creamy, spicy coconut sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Serving Size 4 servings

Ingredients

Beef Marinade

  • 1 lb beef (flank steak or sirloin), thinly sliced against the grain
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce (optional) Optional, adds depth of flavor
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper

Stir-Fry Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp coconut oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch piece of ginger, grated
  • 2 red chilies, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups green beans, trimmed and halved

Sauce

  • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp chili paste or sambal oelek
  • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric (optional) Optional spice
  • to taste Salt and pepper

Garnish

  • 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped For garnish
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional) For garnish

Instructions

Marinate the Beef

  • In a bowl, combine the sliced beef with soy sauce, fish sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, and black pepper. Mix well to coat the beef evenly and let it marinate for 10-15 minutes.

Cook the Onions

  • Heat coconut oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion and cook until softened and slightly caramelized, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and sliced red chilies. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Stir-Fry the Beef

  • Add the marinated beef to the wok. Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes, until the beef is browned and cooked through. Remove the beef from the pan and set it aside.

Cook the Green Beans

  • In the same pan, add a bit more coconut oil if needed and toss in the green beans. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, keeping the beans crisp yet tender.

Make the Sauce

  • Add the coconut milk, soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, chili paste, and ground turmeric to the pan with the green beans. Stir well to combine.
  • Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for about 3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.

Combine and Serve

  • Return the cooked beef to the pan with the sauce and green beans. Stir to coat the beef and beans in the sauce, heating everything through.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or additional chili paste if desired.
  • Serve the stir-fry hot, garnished with chopped cilantro and sesame seeds for an added crunch.

Notes

For a more tender beef, let it marinate longer, even up to 30 minutes if you have the time. Adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or fewer red chilies, or choose to omit the chili paste if you’re after a milder flavor. Feel free to mix in other vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas to enhance the dish’s nutritional value and color.