Beef and Pineapple Stir-Fry Recipe

Sweet & Sizzling Beef and Pineapple Stir-Fry Recipe

Juicy, tender beef mingles with sweet pineapple in a stir-fry that dances across your taste buds.

Tropical flavors burst through every colorful bite of this dish.

Quick and easy preparation makes this meal perfect for busy weeknights.

Vibrant ingredients come together in less than thirty minutes, creating a restaurant-quality experience at home.

Fresh pineapple chunks add a surprising brightness that complements the rich, savory meat.

Lean protein meets zesty fruit in a combination that surprises and delights.

Why Beef And Pineapple Stir-Fry Is A Sweet And Savory Treat

  • Quick Flavor Explosion: Packed with vibrant tastes from marinated beef, sweet pineapple, and zesty sauce that dance together in every single bite.
  • Balanced Nutrition Powerhouse: Combines protein-rich beef, colorful bell peppers, and juicy pineapple for a well-rounded meal that satisfies hunger and nutritional needs.
  • Stress-Free Cooking Adventure: Simple step-by-step process allows even beginner cooks to create a restaurant-quality dish without complicated techniques or expensive ingredients.
  • One-Pan Wonder: Minimal cleanup with everything cooked in a single skillet, making this recipe perfect for busy weeknights and kitchen-challenged home chefs.

Ingredients For Beef And Pineapple Stir-Fry

Main Protein:
  • Beef: A tender meat that provides the primary protein for this delicious stir-fry.
Marinade Ingredients:
  • Cornstarch, Soy Sauce: These ingredients help tenderize the beef and add deep flavor to the meat.
Sauce Components:
  • Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce, Brown Sugar, Water, Sesame Oil: A harmonious blend that creates a sweet, savory, and slightly rich sauce for the stir-fry.
Vegetables and Aromatics:
  • Red Bell Pepper, Green Bell Pepper: Colorful peppers that add crunch and vibrant flavor to the dish.
  • Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic ingredients that provide a warm and intense flavor base.
Fruit and Additional Ingredients:
  • Pineapple Chunks: Sweet and tangy fruit that caramelizes beautifully and adds a tropical twist.
Garnish:
  • Sesame Seeds, Green Onions: Crunchy and fresh toppings that add texture and a pop of color to the final dish.
Cooking Oil:
  • Vegetable Oil: A neutral oil used for high-heat cooking and stir-frying.

How To Cook Beef And Pineapple Stir-Fry

Step 1: Prepare the Beef Marinade

Grab your beef and give it a flavor boost by mixing it with cornstarch and soy sauce. Let the meat soak up those delicious flavors for 10-15 minutes while you prep the other ingredients.

Step 2: Whip Up the Flavor-Packed Sauce

Combine all sauce ingredients in a bowl, creating a mouthwatering blend that will make your taste buds dance.

Step 3: Sear the Beef to Perfection

Fire up your skillet or wok with vegetable oil. Carefully cook the marinated beef in batches, ensuring each piece gets a beautiful golden-brown crust. Remove and set aside.

Step 4: Sauté the Veggie Companions

Toss bell peppers into the hot skillet, letting them sizzle for a moment. Add garlic and ginger, releasing their aromatic magic into the air.

Step 5: Caramelize the Pineapple

Drop in the pineapple chunks, watching them transform with a golden, slightly charred exterior that adds a tropical twist to the dish.

Step 6: Bring Everything Together

Reunite the beef with the vegetables and pineapple. Pour the prepared sauce over everything, allowing it to coat and bind the ingredients with its rich, glossy finish.

Step 7: Final Flourish and Serve

Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top for a burst of color and extra flavor. Nestle the stir-fry over a bed of steamed rice or noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.

Pro Tips For Beef And Pineapple Stir-Fry

  • Marinate beef with cornstarch and soy sauce to tenderize and enhance flavor absorption.
  • Stir-fry beef in batches to ensure proper browning and prevent steaming instead of searing.
  • Use high heat for quick cooking to maintain meat's tenderness and vegetable crispness.
  • Balance sauce ingredients for a perfect sweet-savory blend that coats ingredients evenly.
  • Caramelize pineapple chunks briefly to develop deeper, richer taste without making them mushy.

Creative Variations For Beef And Pineapple Stir-Fry

  • Tropical Seafood Fusion: Replace beef with shrimp or scallops for a lighter, oceanic version that highlights fresh seafood flavors.
  • Vegetarian Power Bowl: Swap beef with tofu or tempeh, keeping the pineapple and bell peppers for a protein-packed plant-based alternative.
  • Spicy Korean-Style Edition: Add gochujang or Korean chili paste to the sauce, incorporate gochugaru (red pepper flakes) for extra heat and authentic Korean notes.
  • Caribbean Island Remix: Include additional tropical ingredients like mango chunks, coconut milk, and rum for a more vibrant Caribbean-inspired stir-fry experience.

Best Pairings For Beef And Pineapple Stir-Fry

  • Elevate Tropical Flavor Harmony: Pair this vibrant beef and pineapple stir-fry with a crisp, chilled white wine that complements its sweet and savory profile.
  • Suggest Riesling Pairing: Select a slightly sweet German Riesling with bright acidity to balance the dish's rich and tangy flavors, creating a perfect flavor dance on your palate.
  • Refresh with Tropical Cocktail: Mix a light, fruity mojito using fresh pineapple juice and white rum to echo the stir-fry's tropical notes and cleanse your taste buds between bites.
  • Complement with Refreshing Beer: Choose a light Asian-style lager like Tsingtao or Sapporo, whose crisp and clean taste will cut through the dish's richness while enhancing its complex seasoning.

Storage Tips For Beef And Pineapple Stir-Fry

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the stir-fry completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
  • Place portions in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to maintain moisture, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
  • Quickly reheat in a skillet over medium-high heat, adding a splash of soy sauce or water to prevent drying. Stir continuously for 2-3 minutes until heated evenly.
  • Freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve texture and flavor.

Beef And Pineapple Stir-Fry FAQs

  • Why marinate the beef with cornstarch?

Cornstarch helps create a protective coating that locks in moisture, prevents toughening during high-heat cooking, and helps the beef brown beautifully while staying tender and juicy.

  • Can I use fresh or canned pineapple?

Fresh pineapple works best for this stir-fry as it caramelizes nicely and provides a more vibrant flavor. Canned pineapple can be used, but drain it thoroughly to prevent excess liquid in the dish.

  • What's the purpose of cooking beef in batches?

Cooking beef in batches prevents overcrowding in the skillet, which allows each piece to brown properly and develop a delicious caramelized exterior instead of steaming and becoming soggy.

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Beef and Pineapple Stir-Fry Recipe

Beef and Pineapple Stir-Fry Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 24-27 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Sizzling beef and pineapple stir-fry dances with sweet-savory flavors from Southeast Asian cuisine. Crisp vegetables and tender beef mingle with caramelized pineapple chunks, creating a quick, delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat Protein:

  • 1 pound (450g) beef sirloin, thinly sliced

Produce and Aromatics:

  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • Sesame seeds (for garnish)
  • Green onions (for garnish)

Sauces, Seasonings, and Cooking Liquids:

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare a zesty marinade by coating beef slices with cornstarch and soy sauce, allowing flavors to meld for 10-15 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Craft a vibrant sauce by blending soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, water, and sesame oil until smooth and well-integrated.
  3. Sear beef in a scorching hot skillet with vegetable oil, working in batches to ensure each piece achieves a golden-brown exterior, approximately 2-3 minutes per batch.
  4. Create a colorful vegetable base by quickly stir-frying bell peppers for 2 minutes, then introduce minced garlic and ginger, releasing their aromatic essence for 30 seconds.
  5. Introduce pineapple chunks to the skillet, allowing them to caramelize and develop a slight char, enhancing their natural sweetness for 1-2 minutes.
  6. Reunite the seared beef with the vegetable-pineapple mixture, drizzle the prepared sauce, and toss thoroughly, creating a glossy, cohesive coating that thickens within 1-2 minutes.
  7. Elevate the dish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and fresh green onions, serving immediately over steamed rice or noodles to capture the peak of flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Maximize flavor by cutting beef against the grain for tender, melt-in-your-mouth bites.
  • Prevent meat from becoming tough by not overcrowding the skillet during stir-frying, which helps achieve perfect caramelization.
  • Swap beef with chicken or tofu for a lighter protein option that works beautifully with the sweet-tangy pineapple sauce.
  • For a low-carb version, replace rice with cauliflower rice or serve over zucchini noodles to reduce overall carbohydrate content.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 9-12 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 275 kcal
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 650 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg
Samantha Lee

Samantha Lee

Recipe Developer & Content Creator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops​

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasized plant-based cooking, global cuisines, and recipe testing methodologies.​

Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.

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