Crispy Chilli Beef (Printable Version)
Crispy battered beef strips in spicy tangy sauce with fresh vegetables
# What You Need:
→ Beef
01 - 14 oz flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
02 - 2 tbsp cornstarch
03 - 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
04 - ½ tsp salt
05 - ¼ tsp black pepper
06 - 1 egg, lightly beaten
07 - Vegetable oil, for deep frying
→ Sauce
08 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
09 - 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
10 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
11 - 1 tbsp ketchup
12 - 1 tbsp dark brown sugar
13 - 1 tsp sesame oil
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
14 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
15 - 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
16 - 1 small onion, thinly sliced
17 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
18 - 1 red chilli, thinly sliced
19 - 2 green onions, sliced
→ Garnish
20 - 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
21 - Fresh cilantro leaves
# How To Make It:
01 - Combine cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Dip beef strips into beaten egg, then coat thoroughly with flour mixture. Shake off excess coating.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in deep pan or wok to 350°F. Fry beef in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
03 - Whisk together soy sauce, sweet chilli sauce, rice vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, and sesame oil in a small bowl until well combined.
04 - Pour off all but 1 tablespoon oil from wok. Stir-fry garlic, onion, bell peppers, and red chilli over high heat for 2 minutes until slightly softened.
05 - Pour sauce into wok and bring to simmer. Cook for 1 minute until sauce thickens slightly.
06 - Add crispy beef to wok and toss quickly to coat evenly. Stir in green onions. Serve immediately topped with sesame seeds and cilantro if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The double fry technique creates beef that stays crispy even after tossing in sauce
- You get that perfect balance of sweet tangy and spicy without calling for takeaway
02 -
- Do not overcrowd the wok when frying beef or the oil temperature will drop and you will get soggy results
- Work quickly once the sauce hits the wok every second counts to keep that texture perfect
03 -
- Freeze the beef for 20 minutes before slicing it will cut cleanly into thin strips
- Keep your sauce warm in a separate pan while frying beef to prevent it from cooling down too fast