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Crispy Chilli Beef Recipe

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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
  • 12 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