This Beef Tomato recipe takes me straight back to my childhood memories. It’s a dish that my grandma used to cook. And at the time, it was our family’s favorite!
I remember grandma never followed a recipe or measured a thing when cooking.
She just knew, a pinch here, a little there. And yet, somehow, every time, it turned out perfectly.
No matter how simple the ingredients were, it always tasted too good!
Today, we’re recreating that dish with a little bit of my own touch. However, still, the heart of the recipe remains the same.
So let’s get cooking!
Ingredients
For meat marination
- Beef
- Cornstarch
- Baking soda
- White or black pepper
- Olive oil (or any other cooking oil)
For the sauce
- Soy sauce
- Sugar (brown/white)
- Sesame oil
- Black or white pepper
- Oyster sauce
- Ketchup
Other ingredients
- Tomatoes
- Cornstarch
- Onion
- Scallions or green onions
- Cloves of garlic
- Butter or olive oil
For the exact measurements, feel free to jump straight to the recipe card at the bottom.
How to Make This Beef Tomato Stir-Fry Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the Beef
First of all, let’s get that beef nice and flavorful.
In a medium bowl, add thinly sliced beef and all the marinade ingredients (you know, the secret to melt-in-your-mouth tenderness!).
Mix everything well. Make sure every piece is coated.
Then, set it aside for about 1 hour.
Don’t rush it. The wait is worth it. It makes all the difference.
Step 2: Prep the Sauce & Slurry
While the beef is being marinated, let’s make our sauce.
In a separate bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients and set it aside.
Now, let’s make cornstarch slurry. Take a small cup and mix cornstarch with some water.
Stir it well until there are no clumps left. This will make the sauce thick and glossy.
Step 3: Time to Sear the Beef
Heat up a pan on medium-high heat. Add butter or olive oil (whichever you prefer!)
Once it’s hot, toss in the marinated beef. Stir-fry it for about a minute. Keeping it moving so it gets a nice sear.
Next, add half a cup of tomatoes, ⅓ cup of red onions, and the white stem part of the green onions.
Stir-fry it all together until the beef is about 95% cooked!
Once done, take everything out and set it aside on a plate.
Step 4: Build the Flavor
In the same pan (because we love easy cleanup!), add a little more butter or olive oil.
Add garlic and the remaining onions and stir-fry for one minute on high heat.
Next, add the leftover tomatoes, the leafy part of the green onions, and that delicious sauce we prepped earlier.
Stir everything together for about 40 seconds. Just enough time for the flavors to mingle!
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Now, add the fried beef back into the pan, along with the cornstarch slurry.
Give it a good toss. Let everything cook for another 30 seconds, or until the sauce thickens into that perfect, glossy texture.
Once you see the sauce coating everything beautifully, you know it’s ready!
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy!
This dish is best served hot with a bowl of steamed white rice. However, if you’re in the mood for something different, it’s just as good with bread (hello, perfect sauce for dipping!).
And there you have it—a simple yet incredibly delicious beef tomato stir-fry.
Enjoy every bite!
If this dish hits the spot, wait until you try my Baked Beans with Ground Beef or the super satisfying Quinoa Pulao with Chicken, Tofu & Veggies!
Beef Tomato Stir-Fry
Description
Ingredients
For meat marination
- 1 pound meat cut into small pieces/slices
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon white pepper or black paper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or any cooking oil
For the sauce
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar brown or white
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper or black paper
- 2 teaspoons oyster sauce
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
Other ingredients
- 4 medium tomatoes cut into large slices
- 1½ teaspoon of cornstarch
- 1 large onion sliced
- 3 scallions green onions (cut into 1-inch pieces, separate the white stems and leafy tops)
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 3 to 5 tablespoons of butter or olive oil
- ¼ to ½ cup cold water
Instructions
- Marinate the Beef: In a medium bowl, add the beef and all the marinade ingredients. Mix well and let it rest for 1 hour.
- Prepare the Sauce & Slurry: In a separate bowl, mix all sauce ingredients and set aside. In a small cup, mix cornstarch with water until smooth (no lumps).
- Cook the Beef: Heat a pan over medium-high heat with butter or olive oil until just smoking. Add the marinated beef and fry for 1 minute, stirring continuously. Add ½ cup tomatoes, ⅓ cup red onions, and the white stems of the green onions. Stir-fry until the beef is 95% cooked, then remove from the pan.
- Sauté Aromatics & Sauce: In the same pan, add more butter or oil. Add garlic and remaining onions; stir-fry for 1 minute on high heat. Add remaining tomatoes, leafy green onion tops, and prepared sauce. Stir for 40 seconds.
- Combine & Finish: Return the cooked beef to the pan. Add the cornstarch slurry and mix well. Let cook for 30 seconds or until the sauce thickens.
- You’re Done! Serve hot with steamed white rice or your favorite bread. Enjoy!
