Cooking beef strips in the oven is a great hands-off technique for making fajitas, stir-fries, kabobs and more. The oven does all the work, resulting in tender, flavorful beef ready for any recipe.
Compared to pan-frying on the stovetop, using the oven to cook beef strips offers some advantages:
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It’s easier and less messy – no need to constantly flip and stir the beef as it cooks. Just pop it in the oven and let it do its thing!
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More consistent cooking – the hot air circulates evenly around the beef, preventing any scorching or undercooked spots.
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Allows you to cook a larger batch at once – perfect for meal prepping!
Below I’ll provide tips on choosing cuts of beef for the oven, how to prep and season beef strips, recommended cook times and temps, plus delicious recipe ideas. Let’s get cooking!
What Type of Beef is Best?
Lean cuts of beef work best for oven cooking into strips. Look for:
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Flank steak – An affordable, flavorful cut that stays tender when sliced thin across the grain.
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Skirt steak – Similar texture to flank with intense beefy flavor Slice against the grain
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Sirloin – Budget-friendly option that cooks quickly when cut into strips.
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Top round or top sirloin – Very lean but robust beef flavor. Slice thinly across the grain.
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Tri-tip – Small triangular cut that is tender when sliced.
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London broil – Not actually a cut of beef, but a cooking method. Top round or flank work well.
How to Prepare Beef Strips for the Oven
Follow these easy steps for prepping beef strips before oven cooking:
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Trim excess fat and silver skin. This prevents the beef from curling when cooking.
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Partially freeze the beef. 30 minutes in the freezer makes slicing easier and more uniform.
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Cut across the grain into 1⁄4” thick strips. This makes the beef short fibers tender to bite through.
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Pat the strips dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps them get crispy edges.
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Season generously with salt and pepper. You can also use cajun seasoning, taco seasoning, marinades etc.
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Coat strips with a thin layer of oil. This ensures even browning. I like olive oil or avocado oil.
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Spread beef in a single layer on a sheet pan. Don’t overcrowd, or moisture will be trapped.
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Bake at high heat. I recommend 450°F to quickly brown the outside before the inside overcooks.
How Long to Cook Beef Strips in Oven?
Cook times will vary based on thickness of strips and desired doneness:
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For 1⁄4 inch thick strips, cook 8-12 minutes for medium doneness.
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For 1⁄2 inch thick strips, cook 12-15 minutes for medium doneness.
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Check early and continue cooking if needed until beef reaches your desired doneness.
Use an instant read thermometer to test doneness:
- Rare: 120-125°F
- Medium Rare: 130-135°F
- Medium: 140-145°F
- Medium Well: 150-155°F
- Well Done: 160°F and above
Once cooked, let the beef strips rest 5 minutes before using in recipes.
Oven Cooked Beef Strips Recipe Ideas
Beef strips cooked in the oven are extremely versatile. Here are some of my favorite ways to use them:
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Fajitas – Top with sauteed peppers and onions. Wrap in tortillas with guacamole, salsa and more.
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Stir fry – Toss cooked beef strips with stir-fry vegetables and teriyaki or oyster sauce. Serve over rice.
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Sandwiches – Pile oven-cooked beef strips onto hoagie rolls with melted cheese, onions and bell peppers.
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Beef and broccoli – Mix beef strips with steamed broccoli, carrots and teriyaki sauce. Enjoy over rice or cauliflower rice.
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Kabobs – Thread cooked beef strips onto skewers with veggies. Brush with barbecue sauce and grill or broil to finish.
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Salads – Top colorful salads with warm oven-cooked beef strips. They pair great with romaine, kale or spinach.
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Nachos – Mix oven-cooked beef strips with cheese, beans, salsa and more for easy nachos.
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Buddha bowl – Create a healthy Buddha bowl with beef strips, roasted veggies, avocado and dressing.
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Tacos – Can’t beat oven-cooked beef strips for easy weeknight tacos. Top with all your favorites.
Marinade and Seasoning Suggestions
Before oven cooking, marinate or season beef strips with:
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Taco seasoning, fajita seasoning, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder
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Teriyaki sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger and garlic
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Italian dressing, oregano, basil, parsley
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BBQ rub, brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika
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Lime juice, cilantro, garlic, cumin, salt
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Soy sauce, honey, garlic, sesame seeds
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Lemon juice, rosemary, garlic, Dijon mustard
The possibilities are endless for customizing the flavor of your oven-cooked beef strips!
Oven-Cooked Beef Fajitas Recipe
This easy oven method results in tender, flavorful beef fajitas ready in just 25 minutes!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb flank steak, sliced into thin 1⁄4” strips
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 onion, sliced into strips
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp fajita seasoning or taco seasoning
- Juice of 1 lime
- 8 small flour tortillas
- Toppings like guacamole, pico de gallo, cheese, etc.
Instructions:
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Toss steak strips with olive oil and fajita seasoning in a bowl.
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Spread seasoned steak strips on a sheet pan in a single layer. Add bell peppers and onions.
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Bake at 450°F for 8-12 minutes until steak reaches desired doneness.
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Remove from oven, drizzle with lime juice and let rest 5 minutes.
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Serve steak strips and veggies in warmed tortillas with desired toppings.
FAQs
Can I use a broiler instead of the oven?
Yes, the high heat of the broiler can help give beef strips a nice char. Just keep a close eye to avoid burning.
What about grilling the beef strips?
Absolutely! Grilling over high heat will produce a similar result to broiling or oven cooking.
How long do oven cooked beef strips last?
Properly stored in an airtight container, they will last 3-4 days in the fridge. Reheat gently before serving.
Can I freeze oven cooked beef strips?
Yes, they freeze well for 2-3 months. Thaw in fridge before reheating to serve.
What if my beef strips turn out tough and chewy?
This means they are overcooked. Next time, try thinner strips and less cook time. Cutting against the grain is also important.
Cooking beef strips in the oven is truly hassle-free. With a simple seasoning, high heat, and short cook time, you’ll have tender and flavorful beef ready to mix into all kinds of recipes. Give this easy oven cooking method a try soon!
