Name: Crispy Chilli Beef Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 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)

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Introduction

Crispy Chilli Beef is a deliciously crunchy and flavorful dish perfect for spice lovers. This recipe combines tender beef strips with a spicy, tangy sauce that’s quick to prepare and great for a weeknight dinner.

A dark, glossy pile of cooked beef slices sits on a white plate with a golden rim, each piece coated in a thick, shiny brown sauce. The beef is layered unevenly, showing textures of tender, slightly crisp edges and soft middle parts, mixed with cooked, translucent onion strips. Bright red chili slices add a pop of color, scattered on top, along with light sprinkles of white sesame seeds. The dish is set against a blurred white marbled background that softly reflects the food’s shine. 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

For the Sauce:

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 to ensure tenderness.
Step 2: In a bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Add the egg and water, then whisk until you have a smooth batter.
Step 3: Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Dip the beef strips into the batter to coat fully, then fry in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden and crispy. 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; sauté for about 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 for 2 minutes.
Step 6: Add the crispy beef to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Stir-fry together for another 2-3 minutes to meld flavors.
Step 7: Garnish with sliced red chilies and chopped green onions. Serve immediately alongside steamed rice or noodles.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, fry the beef in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
Adjust the amount of chili sauce and fresh chilies based on your preferred spice level.
Try swapping bell pepper for snap peas or broccoli for a different vegetable crunch.
Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free option.

Storage

Store leftover crispy chilli beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat to maintain the sauce’s texture, avoiding microwave reheating which can make the coating soggy.

How to Serve

A pile of dark brown glazed beef pieces coated in a shiny thick sauce sits stacked on a white plate with a thin golden edge. The beef looks tender with some pieces topped with thin caramelized onion slices and small red chili pepper slices, adding spots of bright orange-red color. Tiny white sesame seeds are sprinkled over the meat, giving a slight texture contrast. The plate is placed on a surface with a white marbled texture, and the background is blurred in dark tones that focus attention on the glossy, richly sauced beef. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other cuts of beef for this recipe?

Yes, flank steak or sirloin are best for thin slicing, but skirt steak or ribeye can also work well if sliced thinly against the grain for tenderness.

Is it possible to make this dish gluten-free?

Absolutely. Use gluten-free flour blends in place of all-purpose flour and substitute tamari for soy sauce to keep it gluten-free.