Last Updated on 16 August, 2026 by Elby | The Tasteful Pantry
Sticky sesame beef is exactly what I want on a busy weeknight: quick, tasty and very easy to work with whatever is in the fridge. It’s made with lean beef mince, a glossy sweet-savoury sauce and a handful of greens. It is a go-to weeknight dinner in our house, usually served over steamed rice or baked fried rice.
More Quick and Easy Stir-fry Recipes
- Beef and Green Bean
- Ginger Chicken
- Lemongrass Ginger Beef
- Beef Broccoli and Noodles
- Chicken San Choy Bow
- Ginger Salmon Stir-fry
Ingredients for Sesame Beef Stir-fry
For the Sauce: cornflour, oyster sauce, honey, soy sauce, sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), beef or vegetable stock
For the Stir-fry: sesame oil, lean beef mince, garlic, fresh ginger, broccoli, pepper, shallots
Topping: sesame seeds, chilli
How to Make Sticky Sesame Beef
Step One: Toast the sesame seeds in a dry frying pan until lightly golden. Set aside.
Step Two: Mix the cornflour with a little water to form a smooth paste. Add the remaining sauce ingredients and whisk until smooth. Set aside.
Step Three: Heat the sesame oil in a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Add the beef mince and stir-fry until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
Step Four: Add the garlic, ginger and broccoli. Stir-fry briefly until fragrant.
Step Five: Pour in the sauce and cook until it thickens and coats the beef and broccoli. Stir through the shallots.
Benefits of the Sticky Sesame Beef Recipes
- Ready in 20 minutes
- Made with simple pantry staples
- Deliciously sticky and savoury
- Perfect over rice or noodles, but also delicious in lettuce cups for a no carb option (if that’s what you’re into)
Make it your own
This beef stir-fry is easy to customise. Rather than omitting the broccoli, I recommend replacing with greens or other veggies you have in the fridge. The veggies help to balance the richness of the sauce.
I usually serve this with fluffy steamed rice or baked (fried) rice. Want it spicier? Add a splash of sriracha or a sprinkle of fresh chilli or chilli flakes.
Simple, comforting, and full of bold flavours – this sticky sesame beef stir-fry recipe is a keeper.
FAQ
What can I serve with sticky sesame beef?
Serve it over steamed rice or fried rice. Or serve in lettuce cups for a carb-free option.
Can I add extra vegetables?
Of course. It’s a great way to use up veggies in the fridge. Snow peas, green beans, capsicum, carrot, zucchini or mushrooms would all work well. Add firmer vegetables earlier so they have time to soften, and quick-cooking vegetables towards the end.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes. Sticky sesame beef reheats well, making it handy for leftovers or quick dinners. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat gently until piping hot.
Can I make it gluten-free
You can, although it’ll take a few swaps. Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, and check that your oyster sauce, sweet soy sauce and stock are gluten-free too. Kecap manis often contains wheat, so choose a gluten-free version if needed.
Feedback and More: Did you try the Sticky Sesame Beef recipe? I would love to hear from you. While you’re on the page, why not leave a star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or a comment below to let me know. Cheers, Elby!
If you liked this recipe, check out some of my other delicious stir-fries and quick meals. Also, follow The Tasteful Pantry on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for all the latest recipes.
Sticky Sesame Beef
*Note: Adjusting servings will not adjust the ‘light grey’ quantities
Equipment
- 1 Wok
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
Sauce
- 1 tbsp cornflour
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1½ tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sweet soy sauce - kecap manis
- ½ cup stock - beef or vegetable
Stir-fry
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 500 grams lean beef mince
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- 15 grams fresh ginger - minced
- 180 grams broccoli - cut into florets
- pepper - to taste
- 4 shallots - finely sliced
- 1 chilli - long, red (optional)
Instructions
- Lightly toast the sesame seeds in a dry frying pan until just starting to brown. Set aside.
Sauce
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the cornflour with 2 teaspoons of water and mix to a smooth paste.
- Add the remaining sauce ingredients and whisk until smooth. Set aside.
Stir-fry
- Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Add the mince and stir until browned. Add the garlic, ginger and broccoli and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
- Add the sauce and continue to stir-fry over high heat until the sauce thickens and the broccoli is just cooked. Stir in the shallots.
- Serve on steamed rice or baked fried rice topped with the toasted sesame seeds and finely sliced chilli, if using.
Nutrition
*Nutrition and calorie figures are estimates only.
