This Asian Spinach Beef recipe combines tender beef strips with vibrant spinach in a savory-sweet sauce that brings restaurant-quality flavors right to your kitchen. The beef is marinated to tenderize it, then stir-fried quickly with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce, resulting in a deliciously glossy, flavorful dish. The spinach adds a fresh contrast to the juicy beef, creating the perfect balance in texture and taste.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Beef and Marinade:

• 1 lb sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp cornstarch

• 1 tsp vegetable oil

• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

For the Sauce:

• 3 tbsp soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)

• 1 tbsp rice vinegar

• 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar

• 1 tbsp cornstarch

• ¼ cup water or beef broth

• ½ tsp toasted sesame oil

For the Stir-Fry:

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil, divided

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

• 12 oz fresh spinach, washed and stems trimmed

• 3 scallions, cut into 1-inch pieces (whites and greens separated)

• 1 tsp sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Marinate the Beef: In a medium bowl, combine the sliced beef with soy sauce, cornstarch, vegetable oil, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly and let marinate for 10-15 minutes while preparing other ingredients.

2. Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey (or brown sugar), cornstarch, water (or beef broth), and sesame oil. Set aside.

3. Stir-Fry the Beef: Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat until very hot. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, swirling to coat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the beef in a single layer. Let it sear undisturbed for 30 seconds, then stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until browned but slightly pink in the center. Transfer to a clean plate.

4. Sauté Aromatics: Return the wok to high heat and add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the white parts of the scallions, garlic, and ginger. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.

5. Cook the Spinach: Add the spinach in batches if necessary, stirring constantly until it’s wilted, about 1-2 minutes. Once the spinach is bright green and softened, return the beef to the wok along with any accumulated juices.

6. Finish the Dish: Give the sauce mixture a quick stir and pour it into the wok. Stir-fry for 30-60 seconds until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients with a glossy finish.

7. Serve: Remove from heat and stir in the green parts of the scallions. Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with sesame seeds if desired, and serve immediately with steamed rice.

Nutrients (Per Serving)

• Calories: 233 kcal

• Total Fat: 10g

• Saturated Fat: 1g

• Carbohydrates: 27g

• Fiber: 2g

• Sugar: 3g

• Protein: 6g

• Sodium: 356mg

This easy stir-fry delivers bold flavors and a satisfying contrast in textures, making it a perfect weeknight dinner or meal prep option!

Why This Dish Works

Balanced Flavors and Textures

The beauty of Asian Spinach Beef lies in its balance of flavors and textures. The savory-sweet sauce brings together the umami of soy sauce, the slight acidity of rice vinegar, and the sweetness from either honey or brown sugar, creating a sauce that enhances the beef and spinach. The beef, marinated in a mixture of soy sauce and cornstarch, becomes tender and flavorful, while the spinach adds a contrast in texture—crispy and fresh, it complements the rich beef beautifully.

The dish also offers a satisfying crunch from the scallions and sesame seeds, making each bite a complete experience. The balance of protein, vegetables, and flavorful sauce makes this stir-fry both nutritious and filling.

Quick and Easy

This dish is ready in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or meal prep. The beef is marinated for just 10-15 minutes, while the stir-frying process takes no longer than 5-7 minutes. The simplicity of the recipe allows you to get dinner on the table in no time while still enjoying complex, bold flavors.

Adaptable

The recipe is highly adaptable—you can easily swap out the spinach for other greens such as bok choy, kale, or Chinese broccoli if preferred. If you’re looking for a lighter option, use chicken or tofu instead of beef. This dish can also be made gluten-free by using tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce and cornstarch to thicken the sauce.

How to Make Asian Spinach Beef

1. Marinate the Beef

Start by slicing the beef (sirloin or flank steak works best) against the grain into thin strips. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the beef with soy sauce, cornstarch, vegetable oil, and black pepper. Toss the beef to coat evenly and let it marinate for 10-15 minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. This quick marinating time helps tenderize the beef, giving it a juicy, flavorful texture once cooked.

2. Prepare the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the following ingredients for the sauce: soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey (or brown sugar), cornstarch, water (or beef broth), and toasted sesame oil. This mixture will form the base of the sauce that adds depth and a glossy finish to the stir-fry. Set the sauce aside.

3. Stir-Fry the Beef

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the marinated beef in a single layer. Let it sear undisturbed for about 30 seconds, then stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until the beef is browned but still slightly pink in the center. Transfer the cooked beef to a clean plate and set it aside.

4. Sauté Aromatics

In the same wok, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Stir in the white parts of the scallions, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic. These aromatics will infuse the oil and add a flavorful base to the dish.

5. Cook the Spinach

Add the fresh spinach to the pan in batches, if necessary, stirring constantly until it’s wilted and bright green, about 1-2 minutes. Once the spinach has cooked down, return the beef to the wok along with any juices that have accumulated on the plate.

6. Finish the Dish

Give the prepared sauce a quick stir to ensure the cornstarch has dissolved, then pour it into the wok. Stir everything together for about 30-60 seconds until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and spinach with a glossy finish. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or soy sauce if necessary.

7. Serve

Remove the wok from the heat and stir in the green parts of the scallions for added freshness. Transfer the stir-fry to a serving dish and garnish with sesame seeds (optional). Serve the dish warm with steamed rice or noodles to soak up the flavorful sauce.

What to Serve With Asian Spinach Beef

This stir-fry is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but pairing it with sides that complement its savory, sweet flavors can elevate the experience:

1. Steamed Jasmine Rice: The fluffy rice absorbs the sauce and complements the rich beef and spinach, making it the perfect base for this dish.

2. Garlic Noodles: For a more substantial meal, serve the stir-fry with a side of garlic noodles. The noodles are flavorful and provide a satisfying texture that contrasts nicely with the beef and spinach.

3. Stir-Fried Vegetables: A side of stir-fried broccoli, bok choy, or carrots would be an excellent choice, adding more vegetables to the meal and enhancing the flavors.

4. Crispy Spring Rolls: Crispy spring rolls or dumplings make for an excellent appetizer that complements the Asian flavors of the main dish.

Health Considerations

This Asian Spinach Beef dish provides a good amount of protein from the beef and a healthy dose of fiber from the spinach. It also contains iron, vitamin A, and vitamin C from the spinach, as well as flavorful antioxidants from the garlic and ginger.

While the dish is relatively healthy, it does contain some sodium from the soy sauce, so be mindful if you’re watching your salt intake. To make it a bit healthier, you can opt for low-sodium soy sauce and use beef broth instead of water for extra flavor without increasing the sodium content. If you’re aiming for a lower-calorie option, using leaner cuts of beef or substituting with chicken can help reduce the fat content.

Conclusion

Asian Spinach Beef is a flavorful, quick, and satisfying dish that combines tender beef, fresh spinach, and a savory-sweet sauce in a perfect balance. The stir-fry is easy to make in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for a weeknight dinner or meal prep. With its tender beef, vibrant spinach, and rich sauce, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table. The versatility of this recipe makes it easy to adapt to various dietary needs, whether you’re looking for a vegan, gluten-free, or low-sodium version. Serve it with rice or noodles, and enjoy a comforting, savory meal that’s packed with flavor!