• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Casually Peckish
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Healthy

    Beef with Black Bean Sauce

    Published: Jun 23, 2021 · Modified: Jan 13, 2022 by Genevieve

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    A Chinese takeout favourite, beef with black bean sauce is packed with flavour, moreish and the perfect healthy weeknight dinner! For that mouthwatering juicy beef bites, make sure to marinate the beef for at least 15 minutes.

    Love a quick and easy stir fry? Also check out my Cashew Chicken, Yaki Udon and Beef and Vegetable Stir fry!

    Close up of freshly cooked beef stir fry with black bean sauce in a black pan
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Step by step instructions
    • Tips for making this perfect every time
    • Good to know (FAQs)
    • Leftovers/freezing
    • 📖 Recipe
    • More delicious Asian recipes to make

    Ingredients

    Ingredients required for this recipe, labeled
    • Beef for stir-frying beef strips can be found at most major supermarkets or from your local butcher. Otherwise, any tender beef cuts will work perfectly! I used rump when shooting for this recipe, other options include sirloin (porterhouse), flanks, fillet and rib eye.
    • Fermented black beans (aka salted black beans) are made of black soybeans that have been fermented in salt and thus are quite salty. It adds incredible umami (savoury) flavour to dishes. It is the key ingredient to a black bean sauce which can be added to stir-fries (like this beef with black bean sauce recipe!) and steamed dishes (like dim sum/yum cha steamed pork spare ribs with black bean sauce).
      • Fermented black beans are found at Asian grocers otherwise, most major supermarkets sell black bean sauce in jars in the Asian or international isles.
    • Shaoxing wine is a very common and widely used Chinese cooking wine made of fermented rice. Can be substituted with dry sherry.
    • Cornstarch is added to the beef marinade which helps create a flavoursome, glossy coating around the beef. This glossy coating help keep the beef nice and juicy so it's a must!

    Step by step instructions

    First, you want to prepare the ingredients and have them ready, within arms reach before cooking begins. This will just make the entire stir-frying process nice and smooth! Things move quick!

    Get the ingredients ready

    Step by step instructions to prepare and cut the ingredients

    Make sure to cut the vegetables in similar sizes as the beef strips to allow for even cooking and easy to eat.

    Combine beef strips with soy sauce, shaoxing wine, brown sugar, black pepper and cornstarch. Marinate the beef for at least 15 minutes (up to 24 hours) to allow the flavours to sip into the beef. The salt content will help flavour the beef (and tenderise if marinated for at least 1 hour) and cornstarch help with locking the juices in the beef. Very important!

    To make super tender beef like those at your favourite Chinese restaurant or takeout, you can add a little baking soda to the marinade. This is referred to as the 'velveting' technique.

    Baking soda is not used in this recipe as a tender cut of beef is used. The velveting technique is particularly helpful when using a cheap cut of meat (those that are good for slow cooking) such as chuck to stir fry.

    A packet of salted black beans and a small palmful of black beans on the left side. Right side shows all ingredients prepared and beef marinated, ready for stir frying

    This is what these salty black beans look like and come in plastic packets.

    Growing up, wherever possible, we'd always make our own sauces from scratch as opposed to buying premade sauces. I find premade sauces tend to be weaker in flavour and not as intense as homemade! If you can, buy these salty black beans. It's really easy to use and really affordable (this pack was around $1.50AUD).

    Now stir fry

    This part happens very quickly. First, you want to bring out (or awaken) the flavours of the salted black beans. Sizzle garlic, ginger and black beans with a little oil on medium heat until really fragrant.

    I like to crush about half of the beans with the back of the spatula to help the flavours release, intensify and caramelise. The other half is left as whole for a pop of that black bean umami flavour when eating.

    Step by step instructions for cooking this recipe with captions

    Once fragrant, add marinated beef strips and spread them out in a single layer to sizzle on high heat for 1 minute, turning once. This will caramelise and seal the beef strips. Remove beef then saute vegetables for about 2 minutes.

    Add beef strips back in, some green onions, season with lots of black pepper and a little water. Stir fry for a further minute. That's it!

    You'll notice salt is not used in this recipe as the fermented black beans are quite salty already. However, everyone's tastebuds are different so add a little salt if required!

    Overhead view of this finished dish on a  large white plate

    The perfect accompaniment to rice.

    Tips for making this perfect every time

    • Marinate the beef for at least 15 minutes! Just 15 minutes will help enrich the flavours of the beef strips. The longer the better (up to 24 hours).
    • Spread beef strips out to a single layer in the pan, cook undisturbed for 1 minute, turning once on high heat. This will help caramelise and seal the outer surface of the beef. Colour = flavour. Tossing and turning the beef constantly will result in moisture releasing from the beef and stop the sizzling!
    • Do not overcook the vegetables. 2 minutes of stir-frying is sufficient to cook out the rawness of the vegetable and at the same time, keeping the crunch.
    • Add a splash or two of water to help distribute the flavours evenly. Plus the sauce is fantastic with rice! Psst. too much water will dilute the flavours and turning the dish a little flat so don't go overboard!
    • Go heavy with the black pepper and/or add some red chilli. A little bit of heat helps elevate the flavours!
    Extrem close up of cooked beef and vegetables coverd in glossy sauce with a side of rice on a plate.

    Glossy, flavoursome beef with that delicious black bean sauce!

    This dish is perfect with beef however the black bean sauce will taste fantastic with lamb strips and chicken as well!

    Good to know (FAQs)

    What other veggies go with beef with black bean sauce?

    Garlic, ginger and onions are the foundation. Other fantastic vegetable options are red or green capsicum (bell peppers), snow peas, broccoli, carrots, baby corns or green beans.

    What can I use instead of black beans? I can't find any in my local area.

    Miso paste is a great alternative. Otherwise, fermented bean curd can be used too. However, these might also not be available if you don't have access to an Asian grocer. Best order online! If all else fails, try my other beef stir fry recipes such as this Ginger Beef and Kale and Beef and Vegetable Stir Fry!

    Leftovers/freezing

    This recipe is also fantastic for meal prepping with rice! Keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container or up to 6 months in the freezer.

    Made this recipe? Let me know your thoughts or questions by dropping a note in the comments section below! I'd love to hear from you 🙂

    Happy cooking and eating! - Gen

    📖 Recipe

    a plate of beef with black bean stir fry with rice

    Beef with Black Bean Sauce

    A Chinese takeout favourite, beef with black bean sauce is packed with flavour, moreish and the perfect healthy weeknight dinner! Complete the meal with a side of rice.
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 13 minutes minutes
    Marinate Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 38 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 287kcal

    Ingredients

    • 500 g / 1lb beef strips (note 1)
    • 1 red capsicum (pepper) green is okay too
    • 1 onion thickly sliced
    • 1 tablespoon fermented black beans (note 2)
    • 4 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 thumb size ginger cut into matchsticks
    • 1 sprig green onion cut into 5cm/2inch long
    • Optional: red chilli for extra heat, finely diced
    • 2 tablespoon oil neutral-tasting, eg canola or sunflower

    Beef marinade

    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
    • 2 teaspoon oyster sauce
    • 1 tablespoon shaoxing wine
    • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
    • ½ tablespoon cornstarch
    • black pepper
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Combine beef strips with beef marinade, mix well. Marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 24 hours.
    • When ready to cook, add 1 tablespoon of oil and ginger in a large non-stick pan or wok. Cook on medium heat for 30 seconds then add garlic and fermented black beans. Cook for a further minute, stirring continuously. (note 3)
    • Add marinated beef strips into the pan, spreading beef out to a single layer. Turn the heat up to high, cook undisturbed, turning once. (note 4) Remove beef from the pan into a bowl and set aside.
    • Add remaining 1 tablespoon of oil, white parts of green onion, capsicum (bell peppers), onions and chilli (if using). Stir fry on high heat for 2 minutes.
    • Add beef back into the pan, along with all the juices. Add green parts of green onion, green parts of green onion and ~¼ cup of water. Stir fry for 30 seconds on high heat.
    • Taste, adjust for salt and pepper to taste (if required).
    • Serve immediately with some freshly cooked rice!

    Video

    Notes

    Note 1. Beef for stir-frying beef strips can be found at most major supermarkets or from your local butcher. Otherwise, any tender beef cuts will work perfectly such as sirloin (porterhouse), flanks, fillet, rump and rib-eye.
    If using tougher cuts of beef such as chuck, add half a teaspoon of baking soda to the marinade. This 'velveting' technique will help tenderise meats (a handy trick Chinese restaurants uses!) in just 10 minutes!
    Note 2. Fermented black beans (aka salted black beans) are black soybeans that have been fermented in salt and thus are quite salty. It adds incredible umami (savoury) flavour to dishes.
    Fermented black beans are found at Asian grocers otherwise, most major supermarkets sell black bean sauces in jars in the Asian or international isles. If using, substitute 1 tablespoon of black bean sauce for black beans. 
    Close substitute to black beans or the sauce variation is miso paste.
    Note 3. Crush the black beans I like to crush about half of the beans with the back of the spatula to help the flavours release, intensify and caramelise. The other half is left as whole for a pop of that black bean umami flavour when eating.
    Note 4. Cook beef strips undisturbed, turning once. Will caramelise and seal the outer surface of the beef. Colour = flavour. Tossing and turning the beef constantly will result in moisture releasing from the beef and stop the sizzling! Plus, you don't want to overcook the beef!
    Leftovers/freezing Keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container or up to 6 months in the freezer. However, best consume within 2 months in the freezer to avoid freezer burns.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @Casuallypeckish or tag #casuallypeckish!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 287kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 29.1g | Fat: 12.3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3.3g | Iron: 4.1mg

    More delicious Asian recipes to make

    • Close up of a plate of boiled dumplings drizzled in chilli oil dipping sauce
      Vegan dumplings (with chili oil dipping sauce)
    • Bowl of saucy asian pork meatballs
      Asian Pork Meatballs
    • A plate of steamed chinese fish
      Chinese Steamed Fish with Ginger and Spring Onions
    • Close up of a plate of Chinese lettuce wraps
      San choy bow (lettuce wraps)

    More Healthy Recipes

    • Stir fried peeled prawns on a white round plate with sauce
      Chinese Prawn Stir Fry
    • A bowl of clear noodle soup topped with vegetables and chicken
      Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup
    • Close up of neatly lined sauteed green beans on a white plate
      Garlic Green Bean Stir Fry
    • A bowl of clear chicken soup with carrots and rice
      Chinese Chicken Soup (Bone Broth)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ed

      September 15, 2023 at 5:24 pm

      5 stars
      Gen, Hi!
      As a non-seafood or shellfish person, what do you recommend as a substitute for:
      1. Oyster sauce
      2. Fish sauce
      BTW, I love the sheer simplicity of your recipes!
      Many thanks
      Ed

      Reply
      • Genevieve

        October 31, 2023 at 11:37 am

        Hi Ed, thank you so much for your kind words. You could opt for the vegan/vegetarian versions of oyster sauce & fish sauce that'll hopefully produce similar results 🙂

        Reply
    2. Max

      April 11, 2023 at 5:52 pm

      Nice recipe! To make more sauce - what I like - you can add some chicken broth (instead of water).

      Reply
      • Genevieve

        April 24, 2023 at 9:31 am

        Great idea, thank you Max for sharing! 🙂

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    A profile image of Gen, the author and owner of casually peckish

    Hi, I'm Gen!

    Welcome! I hope to inspire you to try something new, learn and ignite the joy of creating something yum in your own kitchen.

    Learn more about me →

    Popular recipes

    • Noodle stir fry in a black pan
      Beef Noodle Stir Fry
    • Delicious, simple and healthy garlic prawn pasta
      Easy Garlic Prawn Pasta
    • Plateful of pork wontons
      Pork Wontons
    • Close up fillets of baked salmon
      Baked Honey Glazed Salmon
    • Close up plate full of yoghurt naan bread brushed with butter and fresh coriander
      No Yeast Naan Bread (with yoghurt)
    • Close up of clear bone soup with corn, skiitake mushrooms, carrots and white radish
      Chinese Pork Bone Soup (Bone Broth)

    Winter Warmers

    • Close up of vibrant bok choy vegetables in soup in a pot
      Bok Choy Soup
    • Close up of creamy pasta bake
      Creamy Chicken and Bacon Pasta Bake
    • Hot noodles being picked up by a pair of chopsticks
      Soy Sauce Pan Fried Noodles
    • Close up of smooth pumpkin soup drizzled with cream
      Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Soup

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Casually Peckish
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2024 Casually Peckish

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    Name and email are required