Crispy Chilli Beef Recipe

Introduction

Crispy Chilli Beef is a flavorful and satisfying dish that combines tender, crispy-fried beef strips with a spicy, tangy sauce. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner and pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or noodles.

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, whisk until smooth.
3. Step 3: Heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Dip beef strips into the batter, coating fully, and fry in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
4. Step 4: For the sauce: Heat sesame oil in a wok or large pan. Add garlic, ginger, onion, and bell pepper; sauté for 2 minutes.
5. Step 5: Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, chili sauce, and sugar. Simmer for 2 minutes.
6. Step 6: Add crispy beef to the sauce, toss to coat. Stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes.
7. Step 7: Garnish with sliced chilies and chopped green onions. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Tips & Variations

• Swap beef for tofu or cauliflower to make a vegetarian version.
• Adjust chili sauce and fresh chilies to control the heat level.
• Use gluten-free flour and cornstarch for a gluten-free version.
• Try adding mushrooms, carrots, or broccoli to the stir-fry for extra vegetables.

Storage

Store leftover crispy chilli beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan over medium heat to help maintain the crispiness, or use a microwave but expect some loss of crunch.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other cuts of beef?

Yes, sirloin or flank steak works best for tenderness and flavor, but you can also use other lean cuts as long as they are sliced thinly against the grain.

How can I make this dish less spicy?

Reduce or omit the chili sauce and fresh chilies. You can also add a little more sugar to balance out the flavors if you prefer a milder taste.

Crispy Chilli Beef Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 122 reviews

This Crispy Chilli Beef recipe features tender strips of beef coated in a light, crunchy batter and stir-fried with a flavorful, spicy sauce. The beef is first fried until golden and crispy, then tossed with a savory combination of soy sauce, hoisin, garlic, ginger, and fresh vegetables for a deliciously satisfying main course perfect with steamed rice or noodles.

• Author: Dana
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Courses
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Asian

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 the beef thinly against the grain into strips to ensure tenderness and a good texture after cooking.
2. Make the batter: In a bowl, combine the cornstarch, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Add the egg and water and whisk until you have a smooth, slightly thick batter that will evenly coat the beef strips.
3. Fry the beef: Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Dip the beef strips one by one into the batter, coating them fully, then fry in batches for 3-4 minutes until they turn golden and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels to eliminate excess oil.
4. Prepare the sauce base: In a wok or large skillet, heat sesame oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic, ginger, sliced onion, and bell pepper, sautéing for about 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
5. Add sauce ingredients: Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, chili sauce, and sugar. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
6. Toss beef with sauce: Add the crispy fried beef to the sauce in the wok and toss thoroughly to coat evenly. Stir-fry the mixture for another 2-3 minutes so the beef absorbs the flavor and stays crispy.
7. Garnish and serve: Garnish the dish with sliced red chilies and chopped green onions. Serve immediately with steamed rice or your favorite noodles for a complete meal.

Notes

• Vegetarian Version: Swap the beef for tofu or cauliflower to enjoy a meat-free option.
• Spicy Heat: Adjust the amount of chili sauce and fresh sliced chilies to control the level of spiciness to your preference.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free flour and cornstarch in the batter for a gluten-free version of this dish.
• Add More Veggies: Feel free to include additional vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, or broccoli in the stir-fry for extra nutrition and flavor.

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