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Ampalaya with Beef Stir-Fry Recipe

4.4 from 73 reviews

Ampalaya con Carne is a flavorful Filipino stir-fry combining thinly sliced beef and bitter melon in a savory soy and oyster sauce blend, perfect for a quick and delicious meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ampalaya (bitter melon)
  • 1 pound beef chuck (sliced thinly)
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (divided)
  • ½ cup water
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
  • 4 garlic cloves (minced)
  • ½ onion (finely chopped)
  • Ground pepper (to taste)
  • Neutral oil

Instructions

  1. Mix the sauce. Mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, sesame oil, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and ½ cup water. Set aside.
  2. Prepare the beef. Slice the beef thinly against the grain. Mix with some of the sauce, baking soda, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Let sit for 15 minutes.
  3. Prepare the ampalaya. Cut the ampalaya in half, remove the seeds, and slice thin. Salt, let sit, then rinse and squeeze dry.
  4. Cook the beef. Heat oil over high heat. Sear the beef in a single layer, then set aside.
  5. Sauté aromatics. Lower heat to medium. Sauté ginger, garlic, and onion until soft.
  6. Cook the ampalaya. Add the ampalaya and cook to your liking.
  7. Combine and finish. Turn the heat back up. Add the beef and sauce, then toss until coated and slightly thickened.
  8. Season and serve. Taste, add pepper if you like. Turn off the heat.

Notes

  • Letting the beef sit with baking soda and cornstarch tenderizes the meat.
  • Salting the ampalaya and rinsing helps reduce bitterness.
  • Be careful not to overcook the ampalaya; cook to your liking.

Keywords: Ampalaya con Carne recipe, Filipino beef stir-fry, bitter melon recipe, easy Filipino dishes, beef and ampalaya