The Best Way to Prepare Sirloin Steak for a Stir Fry

You'll want to make sure to marinade your sirloin steak before stir frying it to add delicious flavor.
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With little fat and usually no bone, sirloin steak is one of the easiest meats to prepare for stir fry. That doesn't mean no preparation, though. Taking certain steps prior to stir frying sirloin steak can make the difference between steak that's tender and flavorful and one that's tough or mushy.

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Things You'll Need

  • Sirloin steak

  • Cutting board

  • Knife, straight edge or chef’s knife

  • Spatula

  • Glass bowl with a cover or plastic food bag

  • Mixing bowl

  • Olive oil

  • Minced garlic

  • White wine vinegar

  • Low-sodium soy sauce

  • Honey

  • Black pepper

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Instructions

  1. Set the meat in your freezer for about 30 minutes or until it just starts to freeze. Frosty meat is easier to control when slicing.
  2. Trim off any visible fat from the edges of the steak. If there's a bone, separate the meat from the bone. A straight-edge knife is appropriate for both tasks, although if you have a boning knife, using it can make separating meat from the bone easier.
  3. Inspect the meat to see the direction of the grain (the direction the meat fibers run). Position a very sharp straight-edge or chef's knife at a 45-degree angle to the grain and cut it into no more than 1/4-inch-thick slices. Thin, bias-cut slices that follow the grain are essential for tender stir-fry meat.
  4. Cut each slice into bite size strips about 3 inches in length.
  5. Scoop up the meat strips using a spatula and place them in a glass bowl or plastic food bag.
  6. Combine marinade ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Sirloin steak is a naturally tender cut of beef, so choose marinade ingredients with an eye toward seasoning rather than tenderizing the meat.
  7. Pour the marinade into the bowl or bag containing the sirloin steak strips. If you use a bowl, stir to coat the meat, then cover and set in your refrigerator. If you use a food bag, seal the bag, then massage it with your hands to coat the meat strips before placing in your refrigerator.
  8. Marinate the meat for 30 minutes to no more than 4 hours, stirring or massaging the bag several times to ensure the meat marinates evenly.
  9. Remove the meat using a slotted spoon and discard the used marinade.
  10. Your sirloin steak is now ready for stir-frying!

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Tip

For the marinade, ingredients like olive oil, low-sodium soy sauce or teriyaki sauce, honey and a sprinkling of black pepper help season the meat.

In contrast, ingredients such as citrus juice, wine or vinegar, ginger and pineapple break down protein and muscle fibers. Although timing can temper their effects, limit these ingredients to preserve the texture and natural tenderness of your steak.

Warning

Take care when handling raw meat to prevent bacteria from contaminating cooking utensils and surfaces. Wash your hands with hot, soapy water before and after handling as well as all utensils and surfaces.

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