Beef and Green Bean Stir Fry (Đậu Ve Xào Thịt Bò)
This Beef and Green Bean Stir Fry (Đậu Ve Xào Thịt Bò) is a delightful and wholesome dish that’s both easy to make and packed with flavour. Tender, marinated beef and crisp green beans come together in a savoury, umami-rich sauce that’s perfectly balanced with aromatic garlic, spicy Thai chilis, and a hint of sesame. With only a handful of ingredients and simple preparation steps, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknight dinners. It’s a versatile dish that’s sure to please the entire family, especially when served with a bowl of hot, fluffy rice to soak up every bit of the delicious sauce.
Q&As on Beef and Green Bean Stir Fry
1. Can I skip blanching the green beans and stir fry them directly with the beef?
Yes, you can stir fry the green beans directly without blanching, but keep in mind that the texture will be different. Blanching helps soften the beans slightly and keeps their vibrant green colour, while stir frying them raw may result in a firmer texture and require a longer cooking time to ensure they are cooked through. If you choose to skip blanching, make sure to stir fry the beans until they are tender-crisp, which might mean cooking them a bit longer before adding the beef.
2. What kind of beef do you use for this recipe?
I use Walmart’s AAA Angus Beef Stir Fry Strips for this recipe. These pre-cut strips are perfect for stir frying and save a lot of time since you don’t need to cut the beef yourself. They’re tender and cook quickly, making them a convenient and tasty option for this dish.
3. How do you pronounce “Đậu Ve Xào Thịt Bò?”
It’s pronounced as “dow vay sah-oh tit baw.” Here’s a breakdown:
- Đậu Ve sounds like “dow vay,” referring to green beans.
- Xào is pronounced “sah-oh,” meaning stir fry.
Thịt Bò is “tit baw,” which means beef. Putting it together, you get “dow vay sah-oh tit baw.”
Recipe for Beef and Green Bean Stir Fry (Đậu Ve Xào Thịt Bò)
Equipment
- 1 large wok or nonstick skillet
- 1 Pot
Ingredients
- 275 grams beef (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 575 grams green beans
- 2 fresh Thai chilis
- 2 green onions
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
Mixing Sauce:
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon MSG (or chicken bouillon powder)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Cooking Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- ½ teaspoon mushroom powder
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch + some water
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef and Sauces:In a mixing bowl, place the beef and add 1/2 teaspoon MSG (or chicken bouillon powder), 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and half of the chopped garlic. Combine and mix thoroughly, and let the beef marinate for 15 minutes.In a separate small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon mushroom powder. Stir the mixture until the ingredients are well incorporated and smooth. Set aside.In a saucer or small dish, add 1 teaspoon cornstarch and a small amount of water. Stir the mixture vigorously until the cornstarch is completely dissolved. Set aside.
- Prepare the Vegetables:Start by trimming both ends of each green bean, removing the tough parts and leaving only the tender sections. Cut the green onions into small pieces, about an inch long, and slice the Thai chilis. Set everything aside in separate piles for easy access during cooking.Fill a pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil, then add the trimmed green beans. Let them cook for about 5 minutes, or until they become tender but still retain a crisp texture. The beans should be vibrant green and firm to the bite.Transfer the hot green beans immediately to a bowl of cold water. This will stop the cooking process and help preserve their bright green colour. Allow the beans to soak for about 5 minutes, then drain well and set them aside.
- Cook:In a large wok or nonstick skillet, add oil and heat over high heat. Add the remaining chopped garlic and sauté, stirring constantly, until it becomes fragrant and golden.Add the marinated beef to the wok, spreading it out in an even layer. Stir well to sear the beef on all sides, then pour in half of the prepared cooking sauce. Keep stirring continuously to ensure the beef cooks evenly and absorbs the flavours of the sauce.As the beef reaches your desired doneness, add the blanched green beans. Pour in the remaining cooking sauce along with the cornstarch slurry. Stir everything together to combine.Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding a bit more soy sauce or black pepper if desired. Cook until the green beans are just slightly more tender but still maintain a crunchy texture. Turn off the heat once everything is cooked to your liking.Add the sliced green onions and Thai chilis to the wok, stirring briefly to incorporate and release their flavours. Remove from heat immediately to avoid overcooking.
- Serve:Transfer the stir-fry to a serving plate, arranging it neatly. Serve your Beef and Green Bean Stir Fry (Đậu Ve Xào Thịt Bò) hot, paired with a steaming bowl of rice for a delicious and satisfying meal. Enjoy every bite!