Quick Sesame Beef and Spinach Stir-Fry
Tender beef sirloin flash-cooked with spinach and sweet red pepper in a savoury sesame sauce. A high-protein, iron-rich meal made in under 20 minutes.
Prep
8 min
Cook
7 min
Total
15 min
Makes
2 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Caroline + Lila
Caroline created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthSteadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Clearer, simpler choices
Let the recipe do the thinking
Clear steps and a complete plate mean fewer decisions when focus is in short supply—and a more substantial meal once you are done.
Notice: focus + energy later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
8 min
Cook
7 min
Total
15 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Wok · Large skillet · Knife and cutting board
Time saver
Measure everything before you start so this quick recipe moves without pauses.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 8 steps complete
Next: Slice 150g beef sirloin across the grain…
- 01
Slice 150g beef sirloin across the grain…
Slice 150g beef sirloin across the grain into thin strip pieces on a clean cutting board.
Tap card to mark done - 02
Mince 1 garlic clove
Mince 1 garlic clove, grate 1 tsp ginger, and slice 0.5 red bell pepper into thin strips.
Tap card to mark done - 03
Heat 1 tsp sesame oil in a…
Heat 1 tsp sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat (375°F / 190°C) for 1 minute until glistening.
Look for: glistening
Tap card to mark done - 04
Add the beef strips to the skillet…
Add the beef strips to the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes without moving them, until browned on the bottom.
Look for: browned on the bottom
Tap card to mark done - 05
Stir in the minced garlic
Stir in the minced garlic, grated ginger, and red bell pepper strips, cooking for 2 minutes until aromatic and tender-crisp.
Look for: aromatic and tender-crisp
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Add 2 cups spinach and 1 tbsp…
Add 2 cups spinach and 1 tbsp soy sauce to the skillet.
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Toss constantly for 1 minute until the…
Toss constantly for 1 minute until the spinach is fully wilted and dark green.
Look for: the spinach is fully wilted and dark green
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Remove from the heat immediately and transfer…
Remove from the heat immediately and transfer to a plate to serve warm.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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