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Crispy Chilli Beef Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 113 reviews

Crispy Chilli Beef is a flavorful Chinese-inspired dish featuring thinly sliced beef coated in a crunchy batter, fried to perfection and tossed in a tangy, spicy sauce with fresh vegetables. Perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight meal, this dish delivers a satisfying combination of crispy texture and bold flavors.

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
  • 1–2 red chilies, sliced (optional for extra heat)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped green onions (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Slice the beef: Slice the beef thinly against the grain into strips to ensure tenderness and easy cooking.
  2. Prepare the batter: In a bowl, combine cornstarch, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Add the egg and water, then whisk the mixture until it forms a smooth batter.
  3. Fry the beef: Heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a pan deep enough for frying. Dip beef strips fully into the batter, then fry them in batches for 3-4 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy. Drain the fried beef on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  4. Cook the aromatics and vegetables: Heat sesame oil in a wok or large skillet. Add minced garlic, ginger, sliced onion, and bell pepper, then sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
  5. Make the sauce: Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, chili sauce, and sugar into the vegetables. Let the sauce simmer for 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
  6. Toss beef with sauce: Add the crispy fried beef strips to the wok and toss them in the sauce. Stir-fry everything together for another 2-3 minutes to fully coat the beef in the sauce and heat through.
  7. Garnish and serve: Garnish the dish with sliced red chilies (optional) and chopped green onions. Serve immediately, ideally with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Notes

  • For extra heat, increase the amount of chili sauce or add more sliced red chilies.
  • If you prefer a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free soy sauce.
  • Make sure to slice the beef thinly against the grain for the most tender results.
  • Use fresh vegetables for the best texture and flavor.
  • Be careful not to overcrowd the pan when frying to keep the beef crispy.

Keywords: crispy beef, chilli beef, Chinese beef recipe, fried beef, beef stir-fry, easy Chinese dinner

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