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Zesty Lemongrass Beef Stir-Fry Recipe for Weeknight Dinners

Lemongrass Beef Recipe

Bowl of Vietnamese-inspired lemongrass beef served over steamed rice with fresh cilantro, shredded carrots, and crispy onions for a flavorful and balanced weeknight dinner.
This lemongrass beef is an easy, restaurant-quality weeknight dish—full of aroma and flavor, and ready faster than takeout.
Servings: 2 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 25 minutes

Equipment

  • Frying pan
  • Mixing bowls

Ingredients 

Ingredients

  • 16 oz. strip steak, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped lemongrass
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Optional Serving

  • Steamed rice
  • Vegetables, cilantro and carrots suggested
  • Crispy onions

Instructions 

  • Put the thinly sliced beef in a bowl. Add dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, chopped lemongrass and minced garlic. Mix to coat and let marinate at least 15 minutes; an hour yields deeper flavor.
  • Heat a frying pan over medium-high with a little oil. Add the beef in a single layer and cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes so the edges caramelize.
  • Stir briefly to finish cooking, ensuring the beef is evenly browned and coated in the glaze from the marinade.
  • Serve immediately over steamed rice. Top with cilantro, shredded carrots, and crispy onions if desired for texture and freshness.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1 servingCalories: 485kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 37gFat: 30g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an estimate.

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Introduction

Lemongrass adds a bright, citrusy note to dishes, and this lemongrass beef showcases that aroma in a simple, fast recipe. With minimal prep and common pantry sauces, it delivers bold flavor without long marinating times. Thinly sliced beef soaks up the marinade quickly, giving you a satisfying meal any weeknight.

Why You’ll Love This Lemongrass Beef Recipe

This recipe is quick and straightforward yet produces a restaurant-quality result. Because the beef is thinly sliced, it absorbs the lemongrass-garlic marinade quickly, so you don’t need hours for flavor. The combination of lemongrass and garlic gives a fragrant base that carries through every bite, while the soy and oyster sauces create a glossy, savory finish.

Close-up of caramelized lemongrass beef held with chopsticks showing the glossy savory glaze and tender texture in this quick and easy Lemongrass Beef Recipe.

What Steak You Should Use For This Lemongrass Beef Recipe

Choose a cut that slices thin and cooks quickly. Good options include:

  • Strip steak: A balanced option—tender with a bit of chew, and it holds up well to high heat.
  • Flank steak: Absorbs marinade very well and, when sliced thin, remains tender with a pleasant chew.
  • Ribeye: Adds extra richness from the rendered fat and is forgiving if slightly overcooked.

Lemongrass Beef Recipe Ingredients

Beef (strip steak suggested): Thin slices cook quickly, stay juicy, and absorb the marinade.

Lemongrass + garlic: The aromatic core of this dish—lemongrass brings citrus brightness, and garlic adds depth.

Marinade: Dark soy, light soy, fish sauce, oyster sauce and sugar combine to season the beef, add color and create a glossy sauce.

To serve: Steamed rice plus toppings like cilantro, shredded carrots and crispy onions add texture and balance.

How to Make Lemongrass Beef

Combine the sliced beef with dark soy, light soy, fish sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, chopped lemongrass and minced garlic in a bowl. Toss to coat and let marinate at least 15 minutes; up to an hour for more pronounced flavor.

Dark soy sauce marinade being poured over thinly sliced strip steak with lemongrass and garlic to prepare flavorful Vietnamese-style Lemongrass Beef.

Heat a pan over medium-high with a bit of oil. Add the beef in a single layer and cook without moving for several minutes so it can caramelize.

Tongs tossing thinly sliced beef coated in a sticky lemongrass garlic marinade while cooking in a skillet for this savory homemade Lemongrass Beef Recipe.

Stir briefly to finish cooking and make sure the beef is evenly coated in the sauce.

Thinly sliced lemongrass beef caramelizing in a pan with a glossy soy and fish sauce glaze as the sauce thickens around the tender beef strips in this easy Lemongrass Beef Recipe.

Serve right away over steamed rice. Add cilantro, shredded carrots and crispy onions for brightness and crunch.

Fresh shredded carrots being added to a lemongrass beef rice bowl with cilantro and crispy onions for extra texture and vibrant flavor.

What to Serve with Lemongrass Beef

This dish is delicious on its own but pairs well with:

  • Steamed white rice: Classic and perfect for soaking up the sauce.
  • Pickled vegetables: Pickled daikon and carrots add acidity to balance the rich flavors.
  • Rice noodles: A great alternative to rice for a lighter base.

How to Store Lemongrass Beef Recipe

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the rice separate if possible to avoid sogginess. Reheat in a hot pan to restore some caramelization, or microwave with a splash of water for 1–2 minutes to loosen the sauce.

Lemongrass Beef Substitutions

This recipe adapts well to what you have on hand. Consider these swaps:

  • Ground beef: A faster option that still takes on the marinade, though you’ll miss the caramelized strips.
  • No fresh lemongrass: Use a lemongrass paste or a touch of lemon zest as a substitute.
  • Honey: Swap for sugar for a different caramel flavor and good browning.

What to Make Next

If you want more quick dinners, try other flavorful recipes that pair well with rice or noodles for variety and convenience.