There’s something extra special about meals that carry a memory. This Quick Beef and Chips Stir-Fry is one of those dishes that fills the belly and the heart. It brings me straight back to when my sister had just started her first job after graduating. Every now and then, she’d treat me to a takeaway, and my favourite was this simple dish – Stir-Fried Beef and Chips served with steamed rice. It always felt like such a treat.
Not long after, I tried to recreate it at home, adding my little touches. It was a hit then, and it’s still a favourite in my own family today. Just this afternoon, my youngest son had three helpings of rice with it. We finished with and empty pot of rice and a spotless plate of Quick Beef and Chips Stir-Fry, not a single chip or grain of rice left behind!
Layers of flavour and colour
I always aim to build layers of flavour in my cooking, but I also love dishes that look as good as they taste. This Quick Beef and Chips Stir-Fry ticks all the boxes. It’s got tender strips of beef fillet, golden fried chunky chips, sweet onion wedges, crisp red peppers and vibrant green lettuce – a combination of softness, crunch and bold colours all in one bowl.
The lettuce might seem like an unexpected ingredient, but it works beautifully here. Stir-fried ever so briefly, it soaks up the flavours of the dish and adds a fresh, green contrast that quite literally shines.
Perfect for busy weeknights
After a long, late meeting today, I needed something quick and satisfying. I asked my husband to pop the rice cooker on when he had a chance. By the time I wrapped up my work, I had just 30 minutes to get dinner on the table, and that’s all this recipe needs.
The key to making this dish quickly is cooking in the right order. Start with the chips, as they take the longest. I peel and slice potatoes into chunky chips, toss them with a splash of olive oil and a pinch of salt, then air-fry at 200°C for 20-22 minutes until golden and crispy.
While they’re cooking, I get everything else prepared.
Ingredients that make the dish
For the beef, I like using beef fillet, it’s beautifully tender, but you can use any other cut as long as it’s thinly sliced. I marinate it with minced garlic, fish sauce, oyster sauce and a drizzle of olive oil. It doesn’t need long, just mix well and set aside.
Then it’s time to prep the veg. More garlic (I love the depth it adds), onion wedges, sliced red peppers for a pop of colour and fresh lettuce leaves, separated and ready to stir-fry.
Once the chips are crisp and ready, it’s time to bring everything together.
Putting it all together
In a hot pan, I quickly stir-fry the beef, no extra oil needed, for a minute or two until just cooked through but still slightly pink. Then I remove it straightaway to stop it from overcooking.
In the same pan, I heat a little olive oil and fry the garlic until golden and fragrant. I toss in the onions, red peppers and lettuce, stir-frying for just 30 seconds to keep everything crisp.
Then I gently fold in the chips, taking care not to break them, season with a little salt and black pepper and add the beef back into the pan.
Sometimes I’ll mix in a quick cornflour slurry to add a little gloss and keep the dish from drying out. But don’t overdo it, you want the veggies crunchy, the beef tender and those chips not soggy.
Serve and enjoy
This Quick Beef and Chips Stir-Fry is best served straight away, heaped over warm steamed rice. It’s hearty, colourful and full of bold, comforting flavours, exactly the kind of dish that makes everyone at the table happy.
Whether you’re after a speedy weeknight dinner or just fancy something a bit different, give this Quick Beef and Chips Stir-Fry a go. I promise, there won’t be any leftovers!
Fancy more dishes that go perfectly with a bowl of fluffy rice? Why not give these a try next:
Quick Beef and Chips Stir-Fry
Description
This Quick Beef and Chips Stir-Fry is a fast, flavour-packed dinner inspired by a childhood takeaway favourite. Made with crispy golden chips, tender marinated beef, and colourful stir-fried vegetables, it's the perfect one-pan dish to serve with steamed rice—ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
For the chips
For the beef marinade
For the stir-fry
Instructions
-
Cook the chips
- Toss the potato chips with olive oil and salt.
- Air-fry at 200°C for 20-22 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
-
Marinate the beef
- Combine sliced beef with garlic, fish sauce, oyster sauce and olive oil.
- Mix well and set aside while the chips cook.
-
Prepare the vegetables
- Mince extra garlic, cut onions into wedges, slice the pepper and separate the lettuce leaves.
-
Cook the beef
- Heat a large pan over high heat.
- Add the beef (no extra oil needed) and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes until just cooked.
- Remove from the pan.
-
Stir-fry the vegetables
- In the same pan, add olive oil and fry the garlic until fragrant.
- Add onions, red pepper and lettuce.
- Stir-fry for 30 seconds.
-
Finish the dish
- Gently fold in the crispy chips.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Return the beef to the pan.
- Stir everything together.
- Add cornflour slurry if using and stir to coat.
-
Serve
- Dish up hot over steamed rice and enjoy immediately.
