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Crispy Chilli Beef Recipe

4.6 from 638 reviews

Crispy Chilli Beef is a flavorful Asian-inspired dish featuring thinly sliced beef coated in a light, crispy batter and tossed in a savory, spicy sauce made with soy, hoisin, and chili. Perfect as a main course served with steamed rice or noodles, it combines the satisfying crunch of fried beef with a bold mix of garlic, ginger, and fresh vegetables for an irresistible meal.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Beef:

  • 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
  • 12 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 proper texture when cooked.
  2. Prepare the Batter: In a bowl, combine cornstarch, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Add the egg and water, then whisk thoroughly until the mixture forms a smooth batter.
  3. Fry the Beef: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or wok over medium-high heat. Dip each beef strip into the batter, making sure it is fully coated, then carefully fry the beef in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  4. Cook the Vegetables: In a wok or large pan, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic, minced ginger, sliced onion, and bell pepper, sautéing for about 2 minutes until they begin to soften and release their aromas.
  5. Make the Sauce: Stir in the soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, chili sauce, and sugar into the pan. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2 minutes to blend the flavors.
  6. Combine Beef and Sauce: Add the crispy fried beef to the sauce in the pan. Toss everything together well, stir-frying for another 2-3 minutes so the beef is well coated and heated through.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Garnish the dish with sliced red chilies and chopped green onions for a fresh, spicy finish. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Ensure the beef is sliced against the grain to keep it tender.
  • Maintain the oil temperature to avoid greasy beef; it should be hot enough to sizzle when you add the beef.
  • Adjust the amount of chili sauce and fresh chilies according to your preferred spice level.
  • Drain fried beef well on paper towels to remove excess oil and keep crispiness.
  • This dish is best served immediately to enjoy the crispy texture.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and check that soy sauce used is gluten-free.

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