Spice up your weeknights with this slightly spicy, sweet orange beef! Tender beef gets caramelized in a vibrant sauce, all tossed with crisp sugar snap peas. Ready in a flash, it’s a flavor that won’t wait for the weekend.

The finished Orange Beef in a skillet with a wooden spoon.

It costs approximately $43.05 to make this stir fry. The recipe makes six servings and costs around $7.17 per serving.

What You’ll Love about Orange Beef:

  • Quick and easy: The recipe is simple to follow and doesn’t require a long cooking time, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
  • Versatility: You can adjust the spiciness level to your preference and swap out the protein or vegetables to fit your dietary needs.
  • Crowd Favorite: After visiting China, I worked to create my version of this popular dish. Serve it to celebrate the Chinese New Year or any other time. Everyone loves it no matter when you serve it. 
Stir Fry Orange Bef over white rice in a white bowl.

Orange Beef Stir Fry Ingredients and Cost

Per Serving Cost: $7.17

Recipe Cost: $43.05

  • 2 ½ pounds flank steak – $32.48
  • 2 Tablespoons grated orange zest – $1.00
  • ⅔ cup orange juice – $0.43
  • ⅓ cup Kikkoman soy sauce – $0.80
  • 3 Tablespoons toasted sesame oil – $0.30
  • 2 Tablespoons honey – $0.36
  • 3 large garlic cloves – $0.12
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes – $0.01
  • 15 ounces fresh sugar snap peas – $5.99
  • 3 green onions – $0.24
  • 4 cups cooked rice – $1.32

NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. I updated the pricing for this recipe in February 2024.

All of the ingredients needed to make this recipe.

How To Make Orange Beef

***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.

  1. Whisk together the orange zest, juice, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
  2. Cut steak, add it to a large pan, and cover with the sauce. Cook until browned and caramelized. Remove.
  3. Add the remaining sauce and sugar snap peas to the pan and cook until the sauce thickens and the peas are tender.
  4. Toss beef back into the pan and coat it in the sauce. 
  5. Serve over rice and garnish with green onions.

A picture collage showing how to make this recipe.

Recipe Variations:

  • To reduce sodium intake, use low-sodium soy sauce instead of regular soy sauce in this recipe.
  • Note that this doesn’t make a thick sauce but a somewhat loose one that the rice will soak up!

Orange Beef Stir Fry Storage Tips:

STORE: Place leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for 2 days.

FREEZE: The sugar snap peas do not freeze well once cooked. They come limp and lose their bright green color. If you’re going to freeze this recipe, freeze it without the sugar snap peas. Place the cooked beef mixture and freeze in a freezer-safe container for 2 months.

THAW: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

REHEAT: Reheat in a skillet with the sugar snap peas over medium heat until heated and tender. You may need to add 1-2 tablespoons of water if there isn’t enough sauce.

Orange Beef Recipe FAQs:

Do you marinate beef before stir-frying?

Marinating the beef before stir-frying it with this recipe is unnecessary. The meat will be cooked in the juice mixture, which will help tenderize and caramelize the meat. It’s one reason this is such a quick and easy recipe.

What does Sichuan beef taste like?

This dish has a delicious and exciting combination of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors.

An overhead picture of white rice and orange beef stir fry in a white serving bowl.

More Delicious Recipes:

Close up of the finished orange beef recipe garnished with scallions.
4.34 from 9 votes

Orange Beef

Recipe Cost $ $43.05
Serving Cost $ $7.17
Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
6 people
Tender beef gets caramelized in a vibrant sauce, all tossed with crisp sugar snap peas. Ready in a flash, it's a flavor that won't wait for the weekend.

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 ½ pounds flank steak
  • 2 Tablespoons grated orange zest
  • cup orange juice
  • cup Kikkoman soy sauce
  • 3 Tablespoons toasted sesame oil
  • 2 Tablespoons honey
  • 3 large garlic cloves minced
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 15 ounces fresh sugar snap peas strings removed
  • 3 green onions sliced thin
  • 4 cups cooked rice for serving

Instructions

PREP AND COOK MEAT:

  • Trim steak. Then, cut it in thirds lengthwise and slice it crosswise into ¼-inch thick pieces.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together orange zest, juice, Kikkoman soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
  • In a large, 12-inch nonstick skillet or pan, add steak and ½ cup of orange juice mixture.
  • Cook over medium-high heat, stirring often until the liquid evaporates and the steak has caramelized, about 13-15 minutes.
  • Remove steak from skillet and place on a plate.

COOK SAUCE AND PEAS:

  • While the skillet is still on medium-high heat, add the remaining orange juice mixture to the pan.
  • Bring to a low boil and cook for about 5 minutes to reduce the mixture.
  • Stir occasionally, using the back of the spoon to break up any caramelized bits on the bottom of the skillet.
  • Add peas, and cover. Cook for 2 minutes or until snap peas are bright green.
  • Uncover the skillet and cook, stirring often, until the peas are tender and the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes.

TO FINISH:

  • Add the steak back to the skillet and toss to combine.
  • Serve over rice and sprinkle with green onions.

Nutrition

Serving: 2cups | Calories: 536kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 113mg | Sodium: 828mg | Potassium: 901mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 863IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 5mg

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10 Comments

  1. I can tell from the pictures that this is tasty.

  2. OMG this looks amazing!! Stunning photos and absolutely delicious recipe with a boost of flavors–my kind of food!!

    1. You’re so sweet, thank you!

  3. Brianne @Natural Girl Modern World says:

    Stunning photos!! Going to share this recipe with my brother – he loves ginger beef!

  4. Surely the fact that I have everything to make this is a sign that I HAVE to make it tonight right? Your step by step pics look so good. Thanks for sharing!

  5. Derek @ Dad With A Pan says:

    Orange Beef sounds amazing. I know what I’m having tonight!

    1. It’s SO good, enjoy!

  6. That looks so tasty! I’m excited to try your version, and I bet your trip to China was quite . . . delicious! Great tip about using low sodium soy sauce too – I always end up with sauces that are too salty for my taste when I use soy sauce.

  7. jacquee | i sugar coat it! says:

    Great flavour combo. Like having takeout, but so much better!