Put the soy sauce, ginger, pepper, brown sugar, cornstarch, and beef broth in a small bowl. Mix the ingredients well and set the bowl aside. You can add a little extra beef broth to have more sauce when you eat over rice. Coat a large skillet or wok with cooking spray. Add beef, and brown over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add onions and broccoli, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until onion is tender. Add the beef broth mixture to the pan and stir it all the time for two to three minutes, or until the sauce starts to thicken. Serve immediately. .
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Beef bottom round steak can make an excellent, budget-friendly choice for stir fry While it’s not as naturally tender as pricier cuts like flank or skirt steak, with the right preparation, bottom round can become meltingly tender and delicious in a stir fry.
In this detailed guide, you’ll learn all the tips and tricks for turning inexpensive bottom round steak into a flavorful, tender stir fry the whole family will love.
Selecting the Best Bottom Round for Stir Fry
When shopping for bottom round steaks for stir fry, here are some things to look for:
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Choose steaks that are 3/4 to 1 inch thick – Thinner cuts will overcook too quickly Thicker cuts won’t cook through Aim for 0,75-1 inch for the best results,
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Pick steaks with good marbling – While bottom round is a lean cut, look for some thin streaks of fat marbling throughout. This adds flavor and moisture.
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Go for uniform thickness – Try to pick steaks that are evenly thick throughout. This promotes even cooking.
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Pick steaks against the grain – Look at the steak’s grain carefully. You want to slice against the grain so aim for steaks with a uniform grain running in one direction.
With the right thickness, marbling, and grain, you’re ready to turn budget-friendly bottom round into a stir fry the whole family will request time and time again.
Preparing Bottom Round Steak for Stir Fry
Preparing bottom round steak properly is key to making it tender and flavorful in a stir fry. Follow these steps:
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Trim excess fat and silverskin – Use a sharp knife to remove any large pieces of fat or silverskin (the thin, silver membrane) from the steak.
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Slice into thin strips – With the grain, slice the steak lengthwise into long, 1/4-inch thick strips. Then, rotate the strips 90 degrees and slice against the grain into bite-sized pieces. Cutting against the grain shortens the tough muscle fibers.
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Velvet the meat – Toss the steak pieces with 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 egg white, 2 teaspoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, and a pinch of salt and white pepper. Let sit for 15-30 minutes. This “velveting” technique tenderizes steak.
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Brown the meat – Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet or wok over high heat. Add the velveted steak in a single layer and cook 1 minute without moving. Then, stir fry 1-2 more minutes until browned. Velveting prevents overcooking.
With proper slicing, velveting, and browning, you’ll have tender and flavorful steak for stir fries in no time.
Choosing a Sauce for Bottom Round Steak Stir Fry
The right sauce can complement, enhance, and moisten bottom round steak in a stir fry. Consider these flavorful sauce options:
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Soy sauce stir fry sauce – For a simple sauce, combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, minced garlic, and ginger.
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Spicy orange sauce – Whisk together orange juice, rice vinegar, sriracha, brown sugar, garlic, and sesame oil for a sweet and spicy flavor.
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Ginger steak sauce – Sauté fresh ginger and garlic. Add soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, chili-garlic sauce, and cornstarch slurry to thicken.
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Teriyaki stir fry sauce – Mix soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, grated ginger, sesame oil, garlic, and cornstarch for a tasty teriyaki twist.
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Black pepper steak sauce – Toasted Sichuan peppercorns add numbing heat. Combine with soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, and cornstarch.
A flavorful sauce adds lots of flavor and moisture to prevent dryness in lean bottom round steak.
Choosing Vegetable Add-Ins for Bottom Round Steak Stir Fry
When making a bottom round steak stir fry, the vegetables you choose can add flavor, color, and texture. Consider these easy, tasty veggie options:
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Broccoli – Chop florets small and slice stems thin. Cook briefly until tender-crisp.
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Bell peppers – Thin slices or diced peppers add crunch. Opt for red, orange, yellow or green.
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Mushrooms – Sauté mushrooms until lightly browned and they’ll add a meaty flavor.
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Snap peas – Add snap peas at the end. Cook briefly to preserve their crisp texture.
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Baby corn – Halved baby corn is sweet with a satisfying bite. Blanch before stir frying.
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Carrots – Shredded or julienned carrots cook quickly. A sprinkle of sesame seeds finishes them off.
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Water chestnuts – Sliced water chestnuts add refreshing crunch. Stir fry just to heat through.
Fill your stir fry with a medley of crisp, colorful veggies to balance the savory steak.
Putting It All Together for the Perfect Bottom Round Steak Stir Fry
Follow these simple steps to make a flavorful, easy bottom round steak stir fry right at home:
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Prep the steak and cut into bite-sized pieces. Velvet the meat.
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Slice, dice, and prep the veggies you want to include.
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Make your desired sauce and set aside.
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Heat 1 Tbs oil in a wok or skillet over high heat. Stir fry the steak briefly until browned. Remove and set aside.
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Add a bit more oil to pan and stir fry vegetables until tender-crisp.
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Return steak to the pan and add your prepared sauce. Toss everything together briefly until heated through and sauce coats ingredients.
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Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, or other toppings if desired.
With flavorful sauce, tender vegetables, and properly prepared bottom round steak, you’ll have an easy, budget-friendly stir fry the whole family will love. Adjust the recipe with different sauces, veggies, and toppings for something new each night of the week!
FAQs About Cooking Bottom Round Steak for Stir Fry
What’s the best way to slice bottom round steak for stir fry?
Slice thin strips across the grain after cutting lengthwise strips with the grain. Cutting against the grain shortens tough muscle fibers.
Should I marinate bottom round steak for stir fry?
Marinating is optional but can add flavor. For easy marinades, use soy sauce, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and honey.
What if my stir fry comes out tough?
If the steak is tough, try slicing it thinner against the grain. Be sure not to overcook the meat when stir frying over high heat.
How do I get a sauce to coat the ingredients?
Use a cornstarch slurry by mixing equal parts cornstarch and cold water. Drizzle it into your stir fry sauce and toss to thicken.
What vegetables work best in steak stir fry?
Broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, snap peas, baby corn, carrots, and water chestnuts all make great additions!
With its easy prep, quick cook time, and endlessly customizable flavors, bottom round steak makes an excellent ingredient for delicious homemade stir fries the whole family can enjoy.