Go Back
+ servings
Crispy Chilli Beef

Crispy Chilli Beef

Perfect crispy strips of beef in a tangy spicy sauce, my favorite dish from the Chinese takeaway!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Asian, Chinese
Servings 4 people
Calories 472 kcal

Equipment

  • Frying pan
  • Wok
  • Slotted spoon
  • Tongs

Ingredients
  

  • 360 g thin-cut sirloin steaks approx 3 thin steaks
  • 1 small egg
  • 4 tablespoon cornflour cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • teaspoon white pepper
  • 4 ½ tablespoon sunflower oil divided
  • 1 medium onion peeled and sliced into thin strips
  • 1 red chilli finely sliced - discard the seeds if you don't like it too hot
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
  • 3 cloves garlic peeled and minced
  • 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 3 tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoon tomato puree for US
  • 6 tablespoon caster sugar or superfine sugar
  • 2 tablespoon tomato ketchup
  • 2 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce I use Thai-style

Instructions
 

  • Place the steak strips in a bowl and add the egg. Mix together to thoroughly coat the steak in the egg.
  • Add the cornflour, salt, pepper, and white pepper.
  • Toss together to coat the steak. It will be a sticky mixture.
  • Heat 3 tablespoon of the oil in a large frying pan (skillet) or wok over a high heat until very hot.
  • Add in half the beef - a strip at a time - and spread it out.
  • Fry the steak until dark brown and crispy, about 5 or 6 minutes, with some stirring.
  • Using a slotted spoon or tongs, remove the beef from the pan and place in a bowl lined with kitchen roll to soak up excess fat.
  • Add a further tablespoon of oil and repeat - cooking the second batch of beef and then placing in the bowl with the first batch.
  • Add the remaining ½ tablespoon of oil to the pan and turn the heat down to medium. Add in the sliced onion and cook for 2 minutes until slightly softened.
  • Add in the finely chopped chilli, minced ginger, and minced cloves of garlic and cook whilst stirring for 30 seconds.
  • Add the rice vinegar, soy sauce, tomato puree, sugar, tomato ketchup, and sweet chilli sauce to the pan.
  • Turn up the heat and let it bubble for a couple of minutes until the sauce starts to reduce a little.
  • Add the beef back in, give it a stir and heat through for 1-2 minutes – until the beef is hot.
  • Serve with rice or noodles.

Notes

Slicing the steak is easier if you place it in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm up. This recipe also works great with leftover roasted meat.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 472kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 21gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 1141mgFiber: 1gSugar: 26g
Keyword Any Time Of the year, Chinese New Year
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!