Hong Kong Stir-fried Beef with Garlic Scapes
A classic Cantonese stir-fry featuring tender strips of beef quickly cooked with crisp garlic scapes, infused with savory soy sauce and aromatic ginger. This dish is a staple in Hong Kong home cooking and casual eateries, celebrated for its fresh flavors and satisfying textures.
🧂 Ingredients
- 400 g Beef sirloin or flank steak(thinly sliced against the grain)
- 300 g Garlic scapes(trimmed and cut into 1.5-inch pieces)
- 2 tbsp Ginger(minced)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine(or dry sherry)
- 3 tbsp Light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch
- 1 tsp Sesame oil
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil(divided)
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a bowl, combine the thinly sliced beef with 1 tbsp light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, 1 tbsp cornstarch, minced garlic, minced ginger, sesame oil, and black pepper. Mix well and let marinate for at least 20 minutes.
- 2
Prepare the garlic scapes by trimming off the tough ends and cutting them into 1.5-inch pieces.
- 3
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tbsp light soy sauce, oyster sauce, remaining 1 tbsp cornstarch, and 1/4 cup beef stock (or water). Set aside.
- 4
Heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry quickly until browned but still slightly pink inside, about 2-3 minutes. Remove the beef from the wok and set aside.
- 5
Add the remaining 1 tbsp of vegetable oil to the wok. Add the prepared garlic scapes and stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until they are tender-crisp.
- 6
Pour the sauce mixture from step 3 into the wok with the garlic scapes. Bring to a boil and cook until the sauce thickens, about 1 minute.
- 7
Return the cooked beef to the wok. Add the sugar and stir-fry for another minute until the beef is fully cooked and coated in the sauce.
- 8
Serve immediately over steamed rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For best results, slice the beef thinly against the grain. Freezing the beef for about 30 minutes before slicing can make this easier.
- ✓Ensure your wok or skillet is very hot before adding ingredients for a proper stir-fry.
- ✓Garlic scapes can be substituted with green onions or asparagus if unavailable.
🔄 Variations
- Add sliced water chestnuts for an extra crunch.
- Include thinly sliced red chili for a touch of heat.