Steak and Shrimp Stir Fry

The sizzling sound of tender beef strips and plump shrimp hitting a scorching hot wok creates an irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen with promise. This Steak and Shrimp Stir Fry combines the best of land and sea in one spectacular dish that’s both impressive and surprisingly simple to prepare. The rich, savory flavors of premium beef mingle perfectly with sweet, succulent shrimp, all enveloped in a glossy sauce that clings to every colorful vegetable. You’ll learn how to achieve restaurant-quality results at home, mastering the perfect timing for both proteins while creating a balanced meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Steak and Shrimp Stir Fry recipe stands out for its perfect balance of luxury and practicality. The combination of tender, juicy steak and sweet, snappy shrimp creates an exciting textural contrast that makes every bite interesting. The proteins are complemented by crisp-tender vegetables that maintain their vibrant colors and nutrients through the quick cooking process.

What makes this dish truly special is its versatility – it’s elegant enough for date night yet simple enough for a weeknight dinner. The glistening sauce ties everything together with its complex umami flavors that coat each ingredient perfectly without drowning them.

You’ll appreciate how this meal delivers remarkable flavor with minimal effort. The entire cooking process takes less than 15 minutes once your ingredients are prepped, making this Steak and Shrimp Stir Fry a practical solution for busy evenings when you want something impressive without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, the colorful presentation makes for an Instagram-worthy plate that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

Ingredients

For the Steak and Shrimp Stir Fry:

• 12 oz (340g) ribeye or sirloin steak, thinly sliced against the grain
• 12 oz (340g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 2 cups (200g) broccoli florets
• 1 medium carrot, julienned
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 3 green onions, sliced diagonally
• 2 tablespoons high-smoke point oil (avocado or peanut)

For the sauce:

• 1/4 cup (60ml) low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/4 cup (60ml) beef broth
• 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce (adjust for heat preference)

The key to exceptional steak and seafood stir fry is using fresh ingredients. Choose bright, firm vegetables and high-quality proteins. The steak should have good marbling for tenderness, while the shrimp should smell fresh with firm, translucent flesh.

Pro Tips

The Velveting Technique: To achieve restaurant-quality tenderness in your Steak and Shrimp Stir Fry, marinate the sliced steak with 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and 2 tablespoons soy sauce for 20-30 minutes before cooking. This process, known as velveting, breaks down the protein fibers and creates an incredibly tender texture. Rinse the meat thoroughly before cooking to remove excess marinade.

Perfect Protein Timing: Cook your proteins separately before combining them with vegetables. Shrimp cooks in just 2-3 minutes and will become rubbery if overcooked, while steak requires a quick sear to maintain its juicy interior. Remove each protein from the wok as soon as it’s done, then add them back at the final stage to warm through without overcooking.

Wok Temperature Management: The secret to an exceptional Steak and Shrimp Stir Fry is maintaining an extremely hot wok. Heat your wok until it’s smoking before adding oil, and cook in batches if necessary to prevent overcrowding, which lowers the temperature and causes steaming instead of stir-frying. A properly hot wok creates that coveted “wok hei” flavor – the distinctive smoky essence found in restaurant stir-fries.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Before heating your wok, have all ingredients prepped and ready in separate bowls. Slice the steak thinly against the grain (freezing for 15 minutes first makes this easier). Pat the shrimp and steak dry with paper towels to ensure proper searing. Combine all sauce ingredients in a small bowl, whisking well to dissolve the cornstarch. Having everything organized before you start cooking is crucial for a successful Steak and Shrimp Stir Fry.

Step 2: Sear the Steak
Heat your wok or large skillet over high heat until smoking. Add 1 tablespoon oil, swirling to coat. Add steak in a single layer without overcrowding (cook in batches if needed). Let it sear undisturbed for 1 minute until browned, then stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes until just cooked through with some pink remaining. Remove to a clean plate.

Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
Return the wok to high heat, adding remaining oil if needed. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. They cook quickly, so keep a close eye to prevent overcooking. Remove and add to the plate with steak.

Step 4: Stir-Fry the Vegetables
In the same wok, add garlic and ginger, stirring constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add broccoli and carrots, stir-frying for 2 minutes. Add bell peppers and continue cooking for 2 more minutes until vegetables are bright and crisp-tender. The key to perfect vegetable texture in your surf and turf stir fry is cooking them quickly at high heat.

Step 5: Combine and Sauce
Return proteins to the wok along with any accumulated juices. Give the sauce mixture a quick stir (the cornstarch may have settled) and pour it over everything in the wok. Toss continuously as the sauce bubbles and thickens, about 1-2 minutes. The sauce should coat everything with a glossy sheen without becoming gloppy.

Step 6: Finish and Serve
Sprinkle with green onions and toss once more. Transfer your completed Steak and Shrimp Stir Fry to a serving plate immediately to prevent overcooking. Serve hot over rice or noodles for a complete meal that showcases both the steak and shrimp at their best.

Variations

Spicy Szechuan Style: Transform your Steak and Shrimp Stir Fry into a fiery delight by adding 1-2 tablespoons of Szechuan peppercorns (toasted and ground) and 2-3 dried chilies to the oil before cooking the proteins. Increase the chili garlic sauce to 1 tablespoon and add a tablespoon of black bean sauce to the stir-fry sauce for an authentic Szechuan flavor profile that complements both the steak and seafood beautifully.

Thai-Inspired Version: For a Southeast Asian twist, replace the stir-fry sauce with a combination of 2 tablespoons fish sauce, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon palm sugar, and a tablespoon of red curry paste. Add a handful of Thai basil and a thinly sliced red chili at the final stage of cooking. This variation highlights the natural sweetness of the shrimp while adding bright, aromatic notes that balance the richness of the steak.

Keto-Friendly Option: Make your beef and shrimp stir fry keto-compatible by omitting the sugar in the sauce and replacing with 1 tablespoon of monk fruit sweetener. Substitute the cornstarch with 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum and increase the low-carb vegetable content with snow peas, mushrooms, and bok choy instead of carrots.

Storage and Serving

This Steak and Shrimp Stir Fry can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For best results, reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat just until warmed through to prevent overcooking the seafood. The shrimp texture will change slightly upon reheating, but the flavors remain delicious. Freezing is not recommended as it significantly affects the texture of both proteins.

For serving, present your Steak and Shrimp Stir Fry over steamed jasmine rice, allowing the flavorful sauce to permeate each grain. For a lower-carb option, serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. Garnish with additional sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro for freshness and visual appeal.

For an impressive dinner party presentation, serve family-style on a large platter surrounded by small bowls of condiments like chili oil, extra soy sauce, and chopped peanuts, allowing guests to customize their plates. A side of quick-pickled cucumbers provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory flavors of the stir-fry.

FAQs

What cuts of beef work best for Steak and Shrimp Stir Fry?
Ribeye, sirloin, or flank steak work excellently. The key is slicing thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness. Avoid stew meat or chuck, which require longer cooking times to become tender.

How do I prevent my shrimp from becoming rubbery?
Cook shrimp just until they turn pink and opaque, usually 1-2 minutes per side depending on size. They continue cooking slightly after removal from heat, so it’s better to slightly undercook them initially when making Steak and Shrimp Stir Fry.

Can I prepare components of this recipe in advance?
Yes! Slice vegetables and proteins up to 24 hours ahead and store separately in the refrigerator. Mix the sauce up to 2 days ahead. This preparation makes the actual cooking process extremely quick.

What can I substitute for oyster sauce?
For a similar umami flavor, use hoisin sauce or a mixture of soy sauce with a touch of brown sugar. For a fish-free version, mushroom oyster sauce provides comparable depth of flavor.

Is it necessary to use a wok for this recipe?
While a wok is ideal for the high-heat cooking technique required for Steak and Shrimp Stir Fry, a large, heavy skillet works well too. The key is using high heat and working quickly to maintain the proper stir-fry technique.

Conclusion

This Steak and Shrimp Stir Fry is comfort food at its finest — a luxurious combination of land and sea transformed into a vibrant, sizzling masterpiece that delights all the senses. It’s the kind of dish that makes ordinary weeknights feel special while being simple enough to prepare without stress. The contrasting textures of tender beef and succulent shrimp, combined with the crisp vegetables and savory-sweet sauce, create a memorable meal that will have everyone at your table reaching for seconds. Master this recipe, and you’ll always have an impressive yet accessible dish in your culinary arsenal for any occasion.

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