Name: Crispy Chilli Beef Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Asian
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)

Introduction

Crispy Chilli Beef is a deliciously crunchy and flavorful dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests. Tender strips of beef are coated in a light batter, fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a spicy, savory sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe brings exciting Asian-inspired flavors straight to your home kitchen.

A pile of dark brown, glossy beef pieces coated in a thick sauce sits on a white plate with a thin golden rim. The beef is mixed with caramelized onions that have a soft, translucent texture, and sliced red chili peppers adding small bright red and yellow spots throughout. The sauce looks sticky and shiny, clinging well to the meat and onions, creating a rich, savory appearance. Tiny white sesame seeds are sprinkled on top, giving a slight texture contrast. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface that highlights the rich colors of the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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

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

Tips & Variations

For extra crunch, double-dip the beef strips in the batter before frying.
Adjust the chili sauce amount to control the heat level to your preference.
Try adding sliced carrots or snap peas for additional vegetables and color.
If you prefer a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with rice flour or a gluten-free blend.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over medium heat to help maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving directly as it may make the batter soggy.

How to Serve

A tall pile of glossy dark brown cooked beef slices sits on a white plate with a thin gold rim, each piece covered in a sticky, shiny glaze and speckled with sesame seeds. Thin red chili slices are scattered throughout the mound, adding contrast and color. The beef looks tender and richly coated with caramelized sauce, with a few bits of cooked onions mixed in. The plate rests on a white marbled textured surface with soft lighting highlighting the meat’s moist texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?

Yes, flank steak or sirloin are best for their tenderness and quick cooking, but you can also use skirt steak or tenderloin strips. Just ensure they are sliced thinly against the grain.

How spicy is this dish, and can I make it milder?

This dish has a mild to medium spice level depending on the amount of chili sauce and fresh chilies used. To make it milder, reduce or omit the chili sauce and skip the sliced red chilies.

Crispy Chilli Beef Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 92 reviews

Crispy Chilli Beef is a flavorful Asian-inspired dish featuring thinly sliced beef coated in a light, crispy batter and tossed in a spicy, tangy sauce made with soy, hoisin, and chili. Perfectly stir-fried with fresh vegetables like bell peppers and onions, this dish offers a satisfying balance of textures and bold flavors. Ideal for serving with steamed rice or noodles for a delicious and comforting meal.

Author: Elias
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Asian

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

Slice the beef: Thinly slice the beef sirloin or flank steak against the grain into strips for tenderness.
Prepare the batter: In a bowl, whisk together cornstarch, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Add the egg and water, and whisk until the batter is smooth and well combined.
Fry the beef: Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or wok over medium-high heat. Dip each beef strip into the batter, ensuring it is fully coated. Fry the beef in batches for 3-4 minutes or until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Sauté the aromatics and vegetables: In a wok or large pan, heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic, ginger, sliced onion, and bell pepper. Stir-fry for about 2 minutes until lightly softened and fragrant.
Make the sauce: Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, chili sauce, and sugar into the pan with the vegetables. Simmer the mixture for 2 minutes to combine the flavors.
Combine beef and sauce: Add the crispy fried beef to the wok and toss well to coat with the sauce and vegetables. Stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through and well combined.
Garnish and serve: Garnish with sliced red chilies for extra heat if desired and chopped green onions. Serve immediately with steamed rice or your choice of noodles.

Notes

For extra heat, adjust the amount of chili sauce and add fresh sliced red chilies as garnish.
Be sure to slice the beef thinly against the grain for maximum tenderness.
Frying the beef in small batches prevents overcrowding and ensures crispiness.
This dish pairs well with steamed jasmine rice or egg noodles.
Use fresh vegetables to keep the stir-fry vibrant and crunchy.
Leftover crispy beef can lose its crunch if stored with sauce; consider storing separately and combining just before serving.

Keywords: Crispy Chilli Beef, Asian beef recipe, spicy beef stir-fry, hoisin sauce beef, crispy beef strips