This easy cauliflower beef stir-fry recipe comes together in one pan with crisp vegetables and a savory Thai-style sauce. It’s ready in about 20 minutes, makes a healthy dinner with rice, and you can easily adjust the spice level!
Cauliflower isn’t something you’d see in classic Thai stir-fries like pad see ew or pad Thai, but I found a way to make it work, and it’s packed with flavor! The sauce is a bit salty, a little sweet, with just the right amount of chili. Good cooking doesn’t have to be complicated!
Tips for stir-frying cauliflower
- Choose a fresh, firm head of cauliflower with tight florets and no browning.
- Wash thoroughly, then remove the thick stem and outer leaves.
- Cut into even, bite-sized florets so they cook evenly and don’t break apart.
- Dry the florets well before stir-frying to prevent splattering and soggy results.
- If using frozen cauliflower, thaw fully and pat dry with a clean towel to remove extra moisture.
How long to stir-fry cauliflower?
- Fresh cauliflower takes about 3–5 minutes over medium-high heat until crisp-tender.
- Thawed frozen cauliflower needs about 2–4 minutes to heat through without turning mushy.
Ingredient notes and substitutes
You’ll find detailed step-by-step photos and helpful tips just below. If you’re in a hurry, feel free to skip ahead to the recipe card at the bottom.
- Cauliflower – Cut into bite-sized florets for even cooking; broccoli can be swapped in if you prefer.
- Beef – Use flank, sirloin, or ribeye for stir-fry; cut thinly against the grain for tenderness and quick cooking.
- Chilies – Adjust the amount according to your spice preference. I used Thai Jinda chilies.
- Garlic
- Oyster sauce – Provides a sweet-salty umami base in Thai stir-fries.
- Light soy sauce – Adds a balanced salty flavor without overpowering the other flavors.
- Water – Helps thin the sauce so it coats all the ingredients evenly.
- Sugar – Balances the salty and spicy flavors.
- Oil – A neutral oil with a high smoke point, like canola or sunflower, is best for stir-frying.
How to cook cauliflower with beef
Step 1: In a small bowl, mix together light soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Set aside.
Step 2: Heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat and fry the chopped garlic until fragrant and lightly golden.
Step 3: Add the thinly sliced beef to the wok with the garlic. Stir-fry for about 1–2 minutes until the beef just starts to brown.
Step 4: Add the cauliflower florets to the beef and keep stir-frying for another 2 minutes until they begin to soften.
Step 5: Give the prepared sauce a quick stir and pour it over the beef and cauliflower. Toss well to coat everything evenly.
Step 6: Add sliced chilies and continue stir-frying for another 1–2 minutes until the cauliflower is crisp-tender to your liking. Serve immediately with jasmine rice. Enjoy!
More Thai beef stir-fry recipes you’ll love
Cauliflower Beef Stir-Fry
Equipment
- cutting board and knife
- Small mixing bowl and spoon
- Wok or large skillet
- spatula
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 150 g beef, sliced thinly against the grain
- 250 g cauliflower, cut into bite-sized, even pieces
- 1.5 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1.5 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 chilies, sliced thinly, adjust to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix oyster sauce, light soy sauce, sugar, and water until combined. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add chopped garlic and stir-fry until fragrant.
- Add the sliced beef and cook for 1–2 minutes until just starting to brown.
- Add the cauliflower florets and continue stir-frying for another 2–3 minutes.
- Pour in the sauce mixture and toss well. Add the sliced chilies and stir to coat everything evenly.
- Cook for another 1–2 minutes until the cauliflower is crisp-tender and the sauce thickens slightly. Serve hot with rice.
Notes
- Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a hot pan or the microwave until steaming hot. Add a splash of water if it seems dry.
