Tomato Beef Stir-fry
Tomato Beef Stir-fry is a beloved Chinese home-style dish featuring tender slices of beef and juicy tomatoes quickly cooked in a savory-sweet sauce. It typically includes ingredients like beef sirloin or flank, ripe tomatoes, and sometimes eggs or scallions, all brought together with a simple seasoning of soy sauce, sugar, and cornstarch. Originating from Chinese cuisine, it's a staple in family kitchens and casual restaurants across China and in many Chinese communities worldwide.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is generally balanced, providing a good source of protein from the beef and vitamins like vitamin C and lycopene from the tomatoes. A typical serving (about 1 cup) contains roughly 250-350 calories, with moderate fat from the beef and cooking oil, and minimal carbs unless served with rice.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 280 kcal |
| Protein | 22 g |
| Carbs | 15 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
| Vitamin C | 45 mg |
| Vitamin A | 350 mcg RAE |
| Potassium | 480 mg |
| Iron | 3.5 mg |
| Zinc | 4.2 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.8 mcg |
| Niacin (B3) | 6 mg |
| Phosphorus | 220 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, it's a prime example of 'fan cai' (rice and dishes) in Chinese dining, where flavorful stir-fries are meant to accompany plain steamed rice. Nutritionally, cooking tomatoes in oil helps release lycopene, an antioxidant, making it a surprisingly nutritious comfort food.
