Shaved Steak

updated on Apr 04, 2024

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5 from 33 votes

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This 20-minute shaved steak stir fry is a quick and easy dinner made with thinly sliced beef and fresh veggies tossed in a mouthwatering sauce. It’s healthy, versatile, and great for meal prep!

Love quick and easy beef recipes? Try my air fryer steak, Mulitas, and chopped cheese.

If you love garlic butter steak bites or a steak stir fry, then you’ll love this shaved steak stir fry recipe. It’s my favorite foolproof meal, tossing melt-in-your-mouth meat and crisp veggies in an easy yet flavor-packed stir-fry sauce. Best of all, it comes together in one pan without using any fancy ingredients or complicated techniques!

Table of Contents

What is shaved steak?
Ingredients needed
How to make shaved steak stir-fry
Arman’s recipe tips
Storage instructions
Frequently asked questions
More shaved steak recipes
Shaved Steak (Recipe Card)

What is shaved steak?

“Shaved steak” or “shaved beef” refers to very thin, tender cuts of beef, typically sliced with a meat slicer. It’s a popular choice for dishes like stir fries and cheesesteaks because you can cook the paper-thin steak quickly over high heat without it drying out.

It’s one of my go-to cuts of beef for many dishes, but especially in a quick and easy stir fry. Here are some reasons why I love this recipe-

Steak is the star. Shaved steak is the star of the show because it sears nicely and absorbs flavor like nobody’s business. The meat practically melts in your mouth!
Versatile recipe. Play with this recipe any way your taste buds command. Mix and match the ingredients to play with the flavors in the stir-fry sauce, or swap the asparagus for your favorite vegetables.
An easy 20-minute meal. You can have this beef and asparagus stir fry on the table in no time. It’s faster and tastes better than takeout!
Perfect for meal prep. This is the perfect high-protein beef dish for meal prep. Pack the sauce-coated veggies and beef in containers with rice or cauliflower rice, and enjoy throughout the week.

Ingredients needed

Steak. Choose a cut that can be easily sliced into thin strips, such as sirloin steak, flat iron steak, or filet mignon. Tougher cuts, like flank steak, will also work. Just remember to slice it thinly against the grain and marinate the slices for a few hours in the stir fry sauce to help tenderize the meat fibers.
Cornstarch. Coating the meat in cornstarch helps form a crispy brown crust around each piece. It also thickens the sauce and gives it a glossy consistency that clings to the beef and veggies.
Olive oil. Or any neutral-flavored vegetable oil for searing.
Asparagus. Trim the ends and cut the spears into bite-sized pieces.
Green onions. Sliced diagonally into 1-inch pieces.

For the sauce:

Low-sodium soy sauce. This gives the sauce an umami-forward base. If you’re gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos instead.
Garlic and ginger. Fresh garlic and ginger add a savory, aromatic touch to the sauce.
Brown sugar. The sweetness balances the stronger flavors in the sauce. You can also use coconut sugar, maple syrup, or honey.
Salt and black pepper. To taste.

How to make shaved steak stir-fry

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1- Coat in cornstarch. Toss the thin slices of steak in cornstarch. Set aside.

Step 2- Make the stir fry sauce. Meanwhile, stir the stir fry sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.

Step 3- Marinate the beef. Pour half of the stir fry sauce over the beef and toss to coat.

Step 4- Brown the beef. Sear the steak pieces in a hot oiled skillet until browned. Transfer them to a plate.

Step 5- Cook the vegetables. Add the asparagus and scallions to the now empty pan and stir fry until they’re tender-crisp.

Step 6- Finish the stir fry. Return the steak to the pan, then pour in the remaining stir fry sauce. Stir well and cook until the sauce thickens. Enjoy!

Arman’s recipe tips

Freeze the beef. Place the beef in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes before slicing. Partially frozen meat is firmer and, thus, much easier to slice.
Marinate the shaved beef in the stir-fry sauce to deepen the flavors and tenderize the meat. You can marinate steak slices for up to 24 hours in the fridge.
Prep in advance. This is a fast-paced dish, so having your steak, veggies, and sauce prepped and ready is key to a fail-proof process.
Don’t overcrowd the pan. Make sure you’re using a large enough pan that fits all of the beef slices and vegetables while still leaving room in between each piece. Overcrowding the pan will steam the beef/veggies.

Variations

Mix up the veggies. If you’re not a fan of asparagus, feel free to replace it with other stir-fried veggies, such as bell peppers, broccoli, green beans, snow peas, cabbage, bok choy, baby corn, mushrooms, water chestnuts, and/or carrots.
Customize the sauce. Play with the ingredients and flavors by stirring in a dash of sesame oil, fish sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, peanut butter, rice vinegar, ketchup, chili garlic sauce, or sriracha.
Change the sauce. I often make this stir-fry with another umami-packed sauce, including my eel sauce, bulgogi sauce, or tempura sauce.
Serve with a starch. Make this a satisfying meal by plating the stir fry over a bed of steamed rice, spicy noodles, or cauliflower fried rice.

Storage instructions

To store: Let the leftover stir fry cool before packing it into airtight containers. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days.

To reheat: Warm the steak and asparagus in the microwave or a pan over medium heat.

Frequently asked questions

How else can you use shaved steak?

Put the shaved steak method to use whenever you’re craving a hearty meal with small and thin slices of delicious steak. They’re fantastic in cheesesteak sandwiches and French Dips, as well as Mexican favorites, like tacos, fajitas, and quesadillas.

More shaved steak recipes

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.