Common food
This is a lean, savory stir-fry of tender beef strips and crisp, colorful vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and celery, cooked in a light, savory sauce. The texture is a satisfying mix of soft meat and crunchy veggies, with a savory, umami-rich flavor profile. Nutritionally, it's a balanced, low-calorie option packed with high-quality protein and minimal carbs.
Calorie split: 25% protein · 23% carbs · 52% fat
↓ Full nutritionPeople love it for its quick, customizable nature and the satisfying balance of savory beef with the fresh crunch of vegetables. It's a versatile weeknight staple that can be adapted to various cuisines and personal tastes.
The main caution is the potential for high sodium content from soy sauce or other seasonings, which can be a concern for those monitoring blood pressure. To counteract this, use low-sodium soy sauce, flavor with garlic, ginger, and a splash of vinegar, and control portion size. Those with beef allergies or sensitivities should obviously avoid it.
The classic Chinese technique for tenderizing beef in stir-fries is called 'velveting,' where the meat is marinated in a cornstarch and egg white mixture before a quick blanch in oil or water, creating a silky texture.
| Water | 76.8 g |
| Energy | 121 kcal |
| Protein | 7.8 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 7.2 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 7.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.5 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 30.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.75 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 13.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 78.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 153 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 318 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.3 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.04 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 8.1 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.0 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.04 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.08 mg |
| Niacin | 1.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.12 mg |
| Folate, total | 11.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 11.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 11.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 35.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.43 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 13.0 ug |
| Retinol | 9.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 38.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 10.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 17.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 165 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.83 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.30 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 16.4 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.7 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.10 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.0 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.41 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.5 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.10 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.4 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.1 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.28 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 20.0 mg |
Estimated from Restaurant, Chinese, beef and vegetables — USDA does not publish this profile for Beef with vegetables excluding carrots.
| Tryptophan | 0.08 g |
| Threonine | 0.31 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.31 g |
| Leucine | 0.53 g |
| Lysine | 0.55 g |
| Methionine | 0.16 g |
| Cystine | 0.07 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.32 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.27 g |
| Valine | 0.33 g |
| Arginine | 0.52 g |
| Histidine | 0.21 g |
| Alanine | 0.38 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.67 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.3 g |
| Glycine | 0.28 g |
| Proline | 0.26 g |
| Serine | 0.29 g |
Why is my beef tough when I stir-fry it?
You likely overcooked it or used the wrong cut. Use a tender cut like sirloin or flank, slice it thinly against the grain, and cook it very quickly over high heat. Velveting it first also guarantees tenderness.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, but for best texture, store the cooked beef and vegetables in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave to avoid making the vegetables soggy.
What's a good substitute for bell peppers?
Excellent alternatives include snap peas, zucchini, bok choy stems, or asparagus. Choose vegetables that can withstand high heat and retain some crunch.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.08 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.