Speedy stir-fries like beef and gai lan—Chinese broccoli—were a staple in my household growing up. Most of the stir-fries my parents made were on the table in less than 20 minutes, which was about how long it took for our rice to cook. Because my parents were so adept at stir-frying, we rarely ordered Chinese takeout.
As long as you have a decent wok, some pantry staples, a few fresh ingredients, and a stash of beef ready to go, there’s no reason you can’t make a Chinese-style stir-fried beef dish at home. Below, you’ll find eight of our favorite Chinese stir-fried beef recipes—including stir-fried beef with Chinese broccoli and stir-fried lo mein—along with all the tips and techniques you need for making restaurant-quality stir-fries that are ready faster than getting takeout.