Delicious Stir-Fry with Chinese Yam and Beef: Easy & Flavorful

The Chinese Beef and Yam Stir-Fry is a wonderful dish that highlights the perfect pairing of tender beef with earthy yam.

This meal brings together rich flavors and textures that truly awaken the senses.

Using traditional methods, simple ingredients are turned into a delicious feast that embodies the heart of home-style Chinese cooking.

In a hot wok, juicy beef slices meet delicate yam pieces, filling the air with an inviting aroma while balancing meat and vegetables perfectly.

The seasonings and techniques used take this dish to new heights, showing off expert skills in Chinese kitchens.

Packed with nutrients and quick to whip up, this stir-fry is an ideal choice for a comforting weeknight dinner packed with flavor and warmth.

Why Stir-Fry With Chinese Yam And Beef Stands Out

• Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal: Perfect for busy individuals wanting a fast, nutritious dinner in under 30 minutes.
• Balanced Nutrition Boost: Combines lean protein from beef with fiber-rich Chinese yam, creating a wholesome and satisfying meal that supports healthy eating goals.
• Minimal Ingredient Complexity: Requires simple pantry staples and straightforward cooking techniques, making it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Customizable Flavor Profile: Easily adaptable by adjusting sauce ratios or adding extra vegetables, allowing personal taste preferences and dietary needs to shine through.

What You’ll Use In Stir-Fry With Chinese Yam And Beef

• Beef: Tender protein that forms the main body of the stir-fry, best when sliced thinly against the grain for maximum tenderness.

• Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce: Provide deep umami flavor and help tenderize the meat.
• Cornstarch: Creates a protective coating for the meat, ensuring juiciness and slight crispy exterior.
• Sugar: Balances savory flavors and helps with caramelization.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and aromatic depth.

• Chinese Yam: Mild, slightly sweet root vegetable with a soft texture that absorbs surrounding flavors, important for adding bulk and nutrition.
• Garlic: Provides intense aromatic base for the stir-fry, enhancing overall flavor profile.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish that adds a mild onion flavor and bright color contrast.
• Vegetable Oil: Neutral cooking fat for high-heat stir-frying, ensures even cooking and prevents sticking.

How To Cook Stir-Fry With Chinese Yam And Beef

Step 1: Prepare Beef Marinade

• beef
• soy sauce
• oyster sauce
• cornstarch
• sugar
• black pepper

Thoroughly coat the beef, ensuring each piece is well covered. Allow the meat to soak up flavors for 15-20 minutes at room temperature.

Step 2: Blanch Chinese Yam

Fill a medium pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Carefully drop yam slices into boiling water. Cook for 2-3 minutes until edges become slightly tender. Remove from water using a slotted spoon and place on a clean kitchen towel to drain excess moisture.

Step 3: Heat Cooking Surface

Place a wok or large skillet over high heat. Pour vegetable oil, swirling to coat the cooking surface evenly. Wait until oil shimmers and appears slightly smoky.

Step 4: Develop Flavor Foundation

Add minced garlic to hot oil. Stir quickly to prevent burning, releasing aromatic oils for about 30 seconds.

Step 5: Cook Marinated Beef

Transfer marinated beef into hot pan. Spread pieces to ensure maximum contact with cooking surface. Allow beef to sear without constant stirring, creating beautiful caramelized edges.

Step 6: Incorporate Yam

Add blanched yam slices to the beef. Toss gently, allowing ingredients to mingle and develop complementary flavors. Continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Step 7: Final Touches

Sprinkle chopped green onions over the stir-fry. Transfer to a serving plate immediately. Accompany with steamed white rice for a complete meal.

Tips To Master Stir-Fry With Chinese Yam And Beef

• Maximize Meat Tenderness: Marinate beef for at least 15 minutes to ensure deeper flavor absorption and softer texture.
• Perfect Yam Preparation: Blanch Chinese yam briefly to remove any potential slight bitterness and create a smoother, more delicate texture.
• Control Stir-Fry Heat: Use high heat to quickly sear beef, maintaining its juiciness while creating a delicious browned exterior.
• Balance Sauce Ratio: Adjust soy sauce and oyster sauce quantities to suit personal taste preferences without overwhelming the dish's natural flavors.
• Quick Cooking Technique: Stir-fry ingredients rapidly to preserve nutrients, maintain vegetable crispness, and prevent overcooking the beef.

How To Store And Reheat Stir-Fry With Chinese Yam And Beef

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled stir-fry to freezer-safe containers, where it can maintain quality for up to 2 months without losing flavor.
• Reheat Stovetop: Warm the stir-fry in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying and restore moisture.
• Microwave Tip: Heat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and maintain the dish's original texture.

Sides To Enjoy With Stir-Fry With Chinese Yam And Beef

• Boost Beef Flavor with Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Syrah or Merlot to complement the rich beef and enhance the savory stir-fry flavors, creating a balanced and sophisticated dining experience.
• Refresh with Jasmine Green Tea: Brew a light, aromatic jasmine green tea to cleanse the palate and balance the hearty beef and yam dish, offering a subtle, refreshing counterpoint to the meal's intensity.
• Create Harmony with Chilled Rice Beer: Pair the stir-fry with a crisp, cold Sake or Japanese rice beer to cut through the dish's richness, providing a smooth and cooling accompaniment that enhances the overall taste profile.
• Elevate with Ginger-Infused Sparkling Water: Serve a sparkling water infused with fresh ginger to add a zesty, palate-cleansing element that complements the stir-fry's robust flavors and aids digestion.

Ways To Change Stir-Fry With Chinese Yam And Beef

• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Replace Chinese yam with cauliflower florets for a keto-friendly version that reduces carbohydrate content while maintaining similar texture.
• Vegetarian Protein Option: Substitute beef with firm tofu or tempeh, using same marinade and cooking technique to create a plant-based protein alternative.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce, ensuring cornstarch is certified gluten-free and checking oyster sauce ingredients for wheat-based components.
• Spicy Szechuan Style: Add crushed red pepper flakes or Szechuan peppercorns during stir-frying to create a bold, fiery version of the original recipe that increases heat and complexity.

FAQs About Stir-Fry With Chinese Yam And Beef

• What is Chinese yam and how does it taste?

Chinese yam is a nutritious root vegetable with a slightly sweet and mild flavor. It has a slightly starchy texture similar to potato but smoother, and it absorbs other flavors well during cooking.

• Why do I need to blanch the Chinese yam before stir-frying?

Blanching helps soften the yam, reduces cooking time, and removes any potential harsh or raw taste. It also helps the yam cook more evenly and maintain a pleasant texture during stir-frying.

• Can I substitute the beef with another protein?

Yes, you can easily replace beef with chicken, pork, or tofu. Each protein will bring a different flavor profile, but the basic cooking method remains the same. Just ensure you adjust cooking times based on the protein you choose.

• Is this dish considered healthy?

This stir-fry is relatively healthy, providing a good balance of protein from beef and nutrients from Chinese yam. Chinese yam is rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, making it a nutritious addition to your meal.

Sizzling Stir-Fry with Chinese Yam and Beef Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling Stir-Fry with Chinese Yam and Beef brings robust flavors from traditional Chinese cuisine, blending tender beef strips with silky yam slices. Delicate seasonings and quick wok technique create a harmonious dish perfect for weeknight dinners that you’ll crave repeatedly.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 lb (454 grams) beef sirloin, thinly sliced

Vegetables:

• 1 lb (454 grams) Chinese yam, peeled and sliced into thin strips
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (for garnish)

Seasonings and Oils:

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

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Instructions

1. Prepare a flavorful marinade by combining beef with soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, sugar, and black pepper in a mixing bowl, ensuring each meat piece is thoroughly coated.
2. Allow the beef mixture to rest and absorb the seasonings for a minimum of 15 minutes at room temperature, which helps enhance the meat’s tenderness and flavor profile.
3. Fill a medium pot with water and bring to a rolling boil, creating an ideal blanching environment for the Chinese yam slices.
4. Carefully drop yam slices into the boiling water, gently moving them to ensure even cooking and maintain their delicate texture for approximately 2-3 minutes until they reach a slightly softened consistency.
5. Drain the yam slices using a colander, allowing excess water to completely drip away, and set them aside for the upcoming stir-fry preparation.
6. Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat, creating a sizzling cooking surface that will provide excellent caramelization for the ingredients.
7. Quickly introduce minced garlic to the hot oil, releasing its aromatic essence and creating a fragrant base for the stir-fry in mere seconds.
8. Add the marinated beef to the wok, spreading it evenly and allowing each piece to brown beautifully while cooking thoroughly.
9. Incorporate the pre-blanched yam slices into the wok, gently tossing and stirring to ensure even distribution and continued cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes.
10. Transfer the completed stir-fry to a serving dish, garnishing with freshly chopped green onions for a pop of color and added freshness.
11. Serve immediately alongside steamed rice, presenting a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

Notes

• Marinate beef for enhanced flavor by letting it sit longer, up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for deeper taste penetration.
• Select fresh, firm Chinese yam with smooth skin to ensure best texture and prevent disintegration during cooking.
• Adjust cornstarch quantity for beef marinade based on meat’s moisture level to achieve perfect coating and prevent dryness.
• Customize spice levels by adding chili flakes or Sich

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg