Paleo Beef Stir Fry with Bok Choy (Whole30)
Updated: Mar 7
If you are craving take out, try this easy whole food stir-fry that tastes incredible and will keep you full and nourished! Savory tender beef and perfectly cooked bok choy swimming in a slightly sweet umami garlic sauce. This easy meal is great for busy weeknights or for when you have a hankering for some delicious Chinese stir-fry.
One of the things I love about this dish is that it is so versatile when it comes to the protein and veggies. The sky really is the limit when it comes to customizing this meal, so feel free to mix things up and live dangerously!
Why Bok Choy is So Good For You!
I just love bok choy, it has these gorgeous tender leaves and juicy crisp stalks that are just perfection! Bok choy is a Chinese vegetable that belongs to the cabbage/cruciferous vegetable family and is a staple in several Asian dishes. It comes in both baby and mature varieties and is a tasty way to add more nutrients and fiber to your whole food diet!
Vitamins
Vitamin A (Beta-carotene): Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and reduces oxidative stress and is also converted to vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is essential in the health of your eyes, skin, bones, kidneys, and lungs.
Vitamin B9 (folate): A water soluble vitamin that is essential during pregnancy in the formation of the neural tube [1].
Vitamin C: Essential in the absorption of non-heme iron (like the iron found in bok choy) and is a powerful antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress.
Vitamin K: Essential in clotting ability as is converted to K2 in the gut that supports healthy bones.
Minerals
Calcium: The most abundant mineral in the body and is essential in maintaining health teeth and bones as well as heart, muscle and nerve function [2].
Iron: Necessary in the formation of hemoglobin and maintaining proper body temperature.
Magnesium: The fourth most abundant mineral in the body, it support healthy nerve functions, healthy blood pressure, and detoxification.
Manganese: Trace mineral that plays a role in metabolic pathways, blood sugar regulation and hormone regulation.
Phosphorus: Supports healthy teeth and bones, muscle recovery after working out, and detoxification.
Selenium: Supports thyroid health [3] and supports your immune system.
Zinc: Essential in digestion, thyroid health, and a healthy immune system.
The fiber found in bok choy is beneficial in supporting a healthy digestive system, supporting healthy blood sugars, and promotes a healthy microbiome.
So grab some delicious bok choy and let's get cooking!
Easy Gluten-Free Beef and Bok Choy Stir Fry Ingredients
Serves 4-6
Beef Marinade
2-2.5 lb Top Sirloin, 1/4” sliced against the grain in strips
3 Green Onions, diced
2 Cloves Garlic, finely minced
1/2 cup Coconut Aminos
1 Tbsp Pure Sesame Oil
2 Tbsp Fish Sauce
1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
2 Tbsp Rice Wine Vinegar
Sauce Ingredients
2 Tbsp Arrowroot Starch or Tapioca Starch
1/2 cup Filtered Water, cool
3/4 cup Unsalted Chicken Bone Broth
1/4 cup Coconut Aminos
1 Tbsp Fish Sauce
1/4 cup Honey or Pure Maple Syrup
2 Tbsp Rice Wine Vinegar
1 Tbsp Pure Sesame Oil
4-5 Cloves Garlic, finely minced
1 tsp Fine Sea Salt
1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
1/2-1 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper fFlakes (opt)
1 Tbsp Sesame Seeds (opt)
Stir Fry
1 Tbsp Unrefined Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil
5-6 bunches Baby Bok Choy, 2" pieces
Marinated Beef
Stir-fry Sauce
1 tsp Fine Sea Salt
How to Make Easy Gluten-Free Beef and Bok Choy Stir Fry
1. Gather all the marinade ingredients and add them to a large bowl.
2. Prepare the beef if it isn't already sliced, slicing it into 1/4" strips.
3. Add the beef to the marinade, cover and refrigerate at least 30-minutes (while you prep the sauce and bok choy) to overnight.
4. In a medium bowl, add all the stir fry sauce ingredients and stir with a whisk to throughly combine, set aside.
Leave the spoon or whisk handy so you can give it a quick stir before adding to the pan as some of the ingredients may settle.
5. Throughly rinse and dry the bok choy.
6. Cut off the root end of the bok choy and dice the remaining bok choy into 2" pieces.
7. Separate the stems of the bok choy from the green tops.
8. Heat a large cast iron skillet over high heat.
9. Add the coconut oil and let it melt.
10. Add 1/2 of the beef and cook for 60-90 seconds on both sides for a medium/medium rare finish.
If you like your beef more on the well done side, sear for 90-seconds to 2-minutes per side.
11. Remove the beef from the skillet, cook the second batch and remove.
12. Add the bok choy stems and 1 tsp sea salt to the frying pan and sauté for 3-5 minutes until softened.
13. Add the green tops of the bok choy, cook for 1-minute.
14. Lower the temperature to low-medium and add the stir fry sauce to the pan stirring constantly allowing the sauce to come to a simmer so the starch begins to thicken the sauce, 3-5 minutes.
15. Season to taste.
16. Immediately stir in the beef and serve over cauliflower rice or brown rice!
Enjoy!
FAQs
Q: My sauce is great, but the beef is lacking, what can I do to add more flavor to the beef?
A: If you beef was cut a little thicker it may need to marinate longer, and just allowing more time for the beef to marinate will yield a more flavorful bite.
Q: My sauce was watery, how do I fix it?
A: 1. Be sure to thoroughly dry the bok choy after rinsing, I like to use my salad spinner for this. 2. Try adding 1 Tablespoon of starch to 1/4 cup of cold water or broth and drizzle 1 teaspoon at a time into the sauce, stirring it in throughly to allow it to bloom until the desired consistency is reached.
Q: My bok choy was soggy, can I fix this?
A: Reduce the cooking time if your bok choy is cut smaller than 2" or if the baby bok choy is really small to keep if from overcooking and becoming too soft.
If you like this recipe, check these out!
Quick Korean Cucumber Kimchi: When you gotta have something fresh, crunchy, and a bit spicy this is the side for you! A staple dish from my childhood that is simple and delicious!
Paleo Korean BBQ Short-Ribs (Kalbi): Tender marinate short ribs that are grilled to a smoky perfection! This gluten free short rib will be a hit at your next BBQ!
Paleo Honey Chicken: Tender, sweet umami forward chicken thighs that are simple enough for a weeknight meal! Your family will love you for this one, I promise!
I hope you enjoy this as much as my family does. - Amy
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