Crispy Chilli Beef Recipe

Introduction

Crispy Chilli Beef is a deliciously crunchy and flavorful dish that combines tender strips of beef with a spicy, tangy sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or noodles for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil for frying
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon chili sauce (adjust to taste)
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1-2 red chilies, sliced (optional for extra heat)
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped green onions (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Slice beef thinly against the grain into strips.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Add the egg and water, then whisk until smooth to create the batter.
3. Step 3: Heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a deep pan or wok. Dip beef strips into the batter, coating them fully, and fry in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
4. Step 4: For the sauce, heat sesame oil in a wok or large pan. Add garlic, ginger, onion, and bell pepper, sautéing for about 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
5. Step 5: Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, chili sauce, and sugar. Let the sauce simmer for 2 minutes to combine the flavors.
6. Step 6: Add the crispy beef to the sauce and toss well to coat. Stir-fry together for another 2-3 minutes until the beef is fully coated and heated through.
7. Step 7: Garnish with sliced red chilies and chopped green onions. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, double-fry the beef strips for a minute more during the frying step.
• Adjust the chili sauce amount according to your heat preference or substitute with fresh chili flakes.
• Try adding vegetables like snap peas or broccoli for added texture and nutrition.
• If you prefer a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with rice flour or a gluten-free flour blend.

Storage

Store leftover crispy chilli beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat to maintain some crispness rather than microwaving, which can make the coating soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Yes, flank steak or sirloin are preferred for their tenderness and flavor, but you can also use skirt steak or any thinly sliced beef suitable for stir-frying.

How do I make this dish less spicy?

Reduce or omit the chili sauce and red chilies. You can also use a milder chili sauce or substitute with a sweet sauce to keep the flavor balanced but less hot.

Crispy Chilli Beef Recipe

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4.5 from 146 reviews

Crispy Chilli Beef is a deliciously crunchy and flavorful dish featuring thinly sliced beef coated in a light batter, fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a spicy, tangy sauce with garlic, ginger, and vibrant vegetables. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it pairs beautifully with steamed rice or noodles.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef and Batter

• 1 lb beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil for frying

Sauce and Vegetables

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon chili sauce (adjust to taste)
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1–2 red chilies, sliced (optional for extra heat)
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped green onions (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prepare the beef: Slice beef thinly against the grain into strips to ensure tenderness during cooking.
2. Make the batter: In a bowl, whisk together cornstarch, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Add the egg and water, whisking until you achieve a smooth batter consistency.
3. Fry the beef: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or wok over medium-high heat. Dip each beef strip into the batter, coating fully, then fry in batches for 3-4 minutes until the beef turns golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
4. Prepare the sauce base: In a wok or large skillet, heat sesame oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic, minced ginger, sliced onion, and bell pepper. Sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
5. Add sauces and simmer: Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, chili sauce, and sugar. Let the mixture simmer for 2 minutes to blend the flavors.
6. Combine beef with sauce: Add the crispy fried beef into the sauce mixture. Toss well to coat all pieces, then stir-fry together for an additional 2-3 minutes to ensure the beef absorbs the sauce.
7. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle sliced red chilies (if using) and chopped green onions on top. Serve the crispy chilli beef immediately alongside steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Notes

• For extra heat, adjust the quantity of chili sauce and sliced red chilies according to your preference.
• Be sure to slice the beef thinly against the grain for a more tender bite.
• Maintain the oil temperature during frying to keep the beef crispy and prevent sogginess.
• This dish pairs nicely with steamed jasmine rice or simple stir-fried noodles.
• Leftover crispy beef can be reheated in a hot pan for best texture retention.

Keywords: crispy chilli beef, fried beef, spicy beef stir-fry, Chinese beef recipe, crispy beef with chili sauce