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Crispy Chilli Beef 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.

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. Slice the beef: Thinly slice the beef sirloin or flank steak against the grain into strips for tenderness.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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