Black Pepper Beef, Mushroom & Green Bean Stir-Fry

Ingredients

For the Stir-Fry:
¾ pound flank steak trimmed and thinly sliced
1 pound fresh green beans ends trimmed and snapped into 2–3 inch pieces
1 cup mushrooms sliced (button or cremini)
1 medium onion thinly sliced
2 slices fresh ginger unpeeled
3 tablespoons canola oil divided
¼ cup water
Salt to taste

For the Marinade:
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon rice vinegar or rice wine optional: lime juice substitute
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons coarse black pepper

Directions

Snap green beans into 2–3-inch pieces.
Slice mushrooms and onion and set aside.
Cut the flank steak into thin strips by slicing with the grain into 2-inch-wide pieces, then slicing across the grain into ⅛-inch slices.

Marinate the Beef:
In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, cornstarch, rice vinegar (or lime juice), sugar, and black pepper.
Add the beef slices, mix well, and let marinate for 10–15 minutes while preparing the vegetables.

Cook the Green Beans:
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat.
Add the green beans and stir-fry for 1 minute.
Pour in ¼ cup water, reduce heat to medium, cover, and steam for 6–8 minutes, until tender-crisp.
Remove the beans and any remaining liquid; set aside.

Sauté the Aromatics, Mushrooms & Onion:
Increase heat to high, then add 1 tablespoon oil to the wok.
Add ginger slices and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add onion and mushrooms; stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until the onion softens and mushrooms begin to brown.
Remove ginger slices and discard.

Stir-Fry the Beef:
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan.
Add the marinated beef and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until browned and no longer pink.

Combine and Finish:
Return the green beans, mushrooms, and onions to the pan.
Toss everything together and stir-fry for 1–2 minutes until evenly coated and heated through.
Taste and season with salt or extra black pepper if needed.

Serve:
Serve hot over a bed of steamed jasmine rice or noodles, garnished with a sprinkle of freshly cracked pepper or toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor.