This vibrant stir-fry brings together tender strips of ranch steak with colorful bell peppers and carrots, all coated in a glossy sauce made from plum jam, ponzu and a touch of lemon. The sauce strikes a perfect balance between sweet, tangy and savory, with a hint of ginger and garlic running through every bite.
Serve it over fluffy jasmine rice that’s been stirred with butter and scallion greens for a finish that feels both comforting and special. Ready in about 30 minutes, this dish is a fantastic way to enjoy a homemade takeout-style meal any night of the week.
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Recipe details
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Values are calculated per serving from ingredient amounts and the ingredient nutrition reference per 100g. Allergen and diet labels use available ingredient metadata and name matching; always check product labels for strict diets or allergies. Some ingredient amounts or nutrition values were incomplete, so this is marked as a partial estimate.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Wash and dry produce. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens. Heat a drizzle of oil in a small pot over medium-high heat. Add scallion whites; cook, stirring, until softened, about 1 minute. Add rice, 1¼ cups water (2¼ cups for 4 servings) and a big pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until rice is tender, 15-18 minutes. Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.
- While rice cooks, peel and mince or grate garlic. Halve, core and thinly slice bell pepper into strips. Trim, peel and cut carrot on a diagonal into ¼-inch-thick pieces. Quarter lemon. Pat steak dry with paper towels and thinly slice against the grain. In a medium bowl, combine steak, garlic, ginger paste, cornstarch, a drizzle of oil, a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss until thoroughly coated. Set aside.
- Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper and carrot and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and softened, 5-7 minutes. Turn off heat; transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm. Wipe out pan.
- Heat a large drizzle of oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. Add steak and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked to desired doneness, 2-3 minutes. (Don’t worry if the steak sticks a bit; it will release once cooked.) While steak cooks, in a small bowl, combine jam, stock concentrate, ponzu, ¼ cup water and juice from one lemon wedge (⅓ cup water and juice from two wedges for 4 servings).
- Add sauce to pan with steak and cook, stirring, until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Turn off heat; stir in 1 tablespoon butter (2 tablespoons for 4 servings) until melted. Stir in cooked vegetables; taste and season with salt and pepper if desired.
- Fluff rice with a fork; stir in scallion greens and 1 tablespoon butter (2 tablespoons for 4 servings). Season with salt and pepper. Divide rice between bowls and top with stir-fry. Serve.
Recipe Tips
For the best texture, slice the steak against the grain into thin strips.
If you prefer more heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
To save time, prep all vegetables and sauce ingredients before you start cooking.
FAQ
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes, sirloin or flank steak would work well. Just be sure to slice thinly against the grain.
What can I substitute for ponzu sauce?
You can mix equal parts soy sauce and fresh lemon or lime juice as a substitute.
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Use tamari instead of ponzu (or a gluten-free soy sauce blend) and ensure the stock concentrate is gluten-free.





























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