Description
Crispy Chilli Beef delivers a quick flavor explosion straight from Chinese-inspired kitchens, bringing sizzling strips of beef that dance with spicy, tangy goodness right to your dinner plate. Crunchy, tender meat tossed in a zesty sauce makes this dish a total weeknight winner that comes together faster than ordering takeout.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 500 grams (17.6 ounces) beef steak
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 green bell pepper
Meat Preparation:
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 egg white
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Garnish:
- 1 spring onion
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 fresh red chili (optional)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Slice 500g beef steak into ultra-thin strips, ensuring each piece is roughly 1/8 inch thick. Coat beef thoroughly with 3 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 egg white, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Let mixture rest for 10 minutes to help create a crispy exterior.
- Pour vegetable oil into a deep pan, heating to 180°C (350°F). Carefully place beef strips into hot oil in small batches, preventing overcrowding. Fry each batch for 3-4 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Optional second fry: After initial batch rests for 1 minute, return strips to oil for an additional 1-minute frying. This technique guarantees maximum crunchiness.
- In a separate pan, warm 1 tablespoon sesame oil over medium heat. Sauté 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon grated ginger until aromatic. Add 2 thinly sliced bell peppers, stir-frying for 2-3 minutes.
- Pour 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon chili flakes, and 1 tablespoon rice vinegar into pan. Simmer gently.
- Mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water to create a slurry. Stir into sauce until it thickens and becomes glossy, approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Gently fold crispy beef strips into sauce, ensuring each piece gets evenly coated. Transfer immediately to serving plate.
- Garnish with 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, sliced spring onions, and optional fresh red chili. Serve alongside steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- Check meat thickness matters, as thinner slices crisp up faster and more evenly.
- Cornstarch coating creates the signature crunch, so dust beef thoroughly before frying.
- Pat beef completely dry before seasoning to ensure maximum crispiness and prevent steaming.
- For a healthier version, consider baking the beef strips on a wire rack instead of deep-frying, which reduces oil but still delivers great texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Stir-Fried
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 315 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg