Beef Stir-Fry with Bitter Melon in Black Bean Sauce
Beef Stir-Fry with Bitter Melon in Black Bean Sauce balances the sharp, pleasant bitterness of melon with a deep, fermented black bean and oyster sauce richness. Tender slices of beef, onion, garlic, and ginger add warmth and aroma, creating a satisfying contrast of flavors. Serve it for a weeknight Dinner or as part of a family-style spread when you want something bold and comforting.
- Prep20 mins
- Cook15 mins
- Serves4
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Beef Stir-Fry with Bitter Melon in Black Bean Sauce, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 49 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 0 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 91 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 12
- Heart Health
- 39
- Metabolic
- 17
- Digestive
- 24
- Inflammatory
- 38
- Performance
- 42
- General Wellness
- 1
Fill a large bowl with ice and add enough salted water to make an ice bath. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the bitter melon and cook uncovered until tender but still firm, about 2 minutes. Drain in a colander and immediately submerge in the ice bath; let sit until the bitterness is drawn out, about 1 hour. Drain.
- 2
Whisk 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, and the baking soda together in a large glass or ceramic bowl. Add the beef and toss to coat evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
- 3
Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat until smoking. Add 1 tablespoon oil. Add the beef in a single layer and cook until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the beef to a plate. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in the wok. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger; cook and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the bitter melon and cook until combined, about 1 minute.
- 4
Stir the black bean sauce into the melon mixture, then stir in the oyster sauce, the remaining 1 teaspoon soy sauce, and the sugar. Pour in 3/4 cup water; cover and simmer until the flavors meld, 2 to 3 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 teaspoon water; stir it in until the sauce thickens.
- Calories 174.49 kcal Moderate 9%
- Protein 8.01 g Moderate 16%
- Carbohydrate 18.02 g 7%
- Total Fat 6.63 g Moderate 9%
- Saturated Fat 1.43 g Moderate 7%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 20.41 mg Moderate 7%
- Sodium 821.38 mg High 36%
- Dietary Fiber 1.43 g Low Source 5%
- Total Sugars 3.36 g --
- Added Sugars 2.75 g Moderate 6%
- Calcium 61.4 mg Low Source 5%
- Iron 0.7 mg Low Source 4%
- Potassium 23.79 mg Low Source 1%
- Vitamin A 0.08 mcg Low Source 0%
- Vitamin C 9.93 mg Moderate 11%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Milk 🥛
- Soy 🌱
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Corn 🌽
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Beef Stir Fry with Bitter Melon in Black Bean Sauce is made with 13 ingredients and serves 4. It takes about 35 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Baking Soda, Black Bean Sauce, Cooking Oil, and Cornstarch. Each serving provides about 174.49 kcal.
Recipe Questions
- What is Beef Stir-Fry with Bitter Melon in Black Bean Sauce made of?
- The main ingredients are Baking Soda, Black Bean Sauce, Cooking Oil, Cornstarch, Fresh Ginger. The full list of 13 is above.
- How long does it take to make Beef Stir-Fry with Bitter Melon in Black Bean Sauce?
- About 35 mins in total: 20 mins to prepare and 15 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 174.49 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Beef Stir-Fry with Bitter Melon in Black Bean Sauce easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 13 ingredients and 4 steps.
- Is Beef Stir-Fry with Bitter Melon in Black Bean Sauce healthy?
- Beef Stir-Fry with Bitter Melon in Black Bean Sauce has an easyChef Pro health score of 44/100. Per serving, it provides 174.49 calories and 8.01 g of protein, or 16% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 821.38 mg (36% of the Daily Value), saturated fat at 1.43 g (7% of the Daily Value) and added sugars at 2.75 g (6% of the Daily Value). It contains Milk, Soy, Wheat, Gluten, Corn, Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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