Crispy Chilli Beef

When you think of Crispy Chilli Beef, you think of bold flavors, satisfying textures, and a delightful crunch. This dish not only showcases tender beef but also highlights a perfect balance of sweetness and spice that can cater to your palate. With its intriguing history and the versatility of ingredients, there’s much more to uncover about how this dish has evolved over time. So, what makes Crispy Chilli Beef stand out among other favorites, and how can you master it in your own kitchen?

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re looking for a quick and delicious meal, you’ll love this crispy chilli beef recipe. It takes only 10-15 minutes to prepare, making it perfect for busy nights. You’ll find that the ingredients are simple and commonly found in your kitchen, like beef, onions, ginger, and garlic. Best of all, you don’t need special equipment; just a stovetop or wok will do.

The cooking steps are straightforward: marinate the beef, coat it lightly, fry until crispy, and toss it in a flavorful sauce. This dish balances sweet, tangy, and spicy elements, and you can easily adjust the spice level to your taste. Additionally, the dish features an addictive crispy coating that enhances the tender beef. Serve it with rice or noodles for a satisfying meal.

History

Crispy chilli beef, while enjoying widespread acclaim today, has roots that trace back to a European adaptation of traditional Sichuan recipes.

Although its exact origin remains unknown, this dish showcases regional variations influenced by different cooking methods in China. For centuries, infused-oil hot sauce condiments have been used in Chinese cuisine, with chili crisp becoming a popular choice. The dish gained traction in the US during the late 2010s, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic, showcasing its global appeal. Brands like Lao Gan Ma, which began commercial production in 1997, helped popularize chili crisp internationally. This evolution highlights how crispy chilli beef transformed over time, reflecting cultural exchanges and changing culinary preferences. Additionally, the dish’s unique flavor profile is often enhanced by the use of sizzling oil during its preparation, bringing a delightful depth to the dish.

Recipe

Crispy Chilli Beef Recipe

Crispy Chilli Beef is a delightful dish that brings together the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors, making it a favorite in many households and restaurants alike. The star of this dish is the tender strips of beef, marinated to perfection, then coated in a light and crispy batter that gives it that signature crunch. This recipe is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars based on user reviews, showcasing its popularity and success among those who have tried it.

When paired with vibrant stir-fried vegetables and a delicious sauce, it becomes a meal that’s both satisfying and visually appealing. This recipe captures the essence of classic Chinese take-out while guaranteeing that you can recreate its deliciousness right in your own kitchen.

With the right ingredients and cooking techniques, you can achieve the restaurant-quality dish that will impress family and friends alike. Serve it over a bed of steamed rice for a complete meal that’s sure to please everyone’s palate.

Ingredients:

• Thin strips of beef (rump, chuck, flank, sirloin, or minute steak)
• Soy sauce
• Garlic (minced)
• Sesame oil
• Sugar
• Ginger (grated)
• Corn flour (cornstarch)
• Onion (sliced)
• Bell pepper (capsicum, sliced)
• Spring onions (sliced)
• Sweet soy sauce
• Ketchup
• Chinkiang black vinegar
• Oil (for frying)

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine soy sauce, minced garlic, sesame oil, sugar, and grated ginger to create the marinade. Add the thin strips of beef, guaranteeing they’re well coated. Allow the beef to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or longer if possible for maximum flavor.
2. After marinating, drain the beef strips and toss them in corn flour until fully coated. This will create a crispy outer layer when fried.
3. Heat oil in a deep frying pan or wok to 325°F (165°C) or 350°F for deep frying. Carefully add the coated beef strips in batches, frying for about 5 minutes or until they turn crispy and golden brown. Remove them from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
4. In another pan, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat. Stir-fry the sliced onion, bell pepper, and spring onions for a few minutes until they start to soften. Add additional minced garlic and grated ginger for flavor.
5. Once the vegetables are cooked, reduce the heat and pour in the sweet soy sauce, ketchup, and Chinkiang black vinegar. Stir well to combine, and then add the crispy beef strips back into the pan. Toss everything together over high heat for a minute to coat the beef and vegetables in the sauce.
6. Serve the crispy chilli beef immediately, garnished with extra spring onions, sesame seeds, or coriander as desired, alongside steamed rice.

Extra Tips:

For the best results, guarantee that the oil is at the correct temperature before frying the beef to achieve that perfect crunch. Avoid overcrowding the pan while frying, as this can lower the oil temperature and lead to soggy beef.

To add an extra kick, consider including sweet chili sauce in the mix or adjusting the balance of the sauces to suit your taste. Enjoy your cooking experience, and savor the delicious results!

Final Thoughts

While preparing Crispy Chilli Beef might seem challenging at first, the rewards of creating this flavorful dish at home are well worth the effort.

By selecting tender beef cuts like flank steak or top sirloin, you’ll guarantee a delicious texture. Remember to marinate the beef in ginger and soy sauce for enhanced flavor. Additionally, this dish is packed with vitamins and minerals that contribute to a well-rounded meal.

When frying, use a heavy-bottomed skillet with neutral oil to achieve that perfect crispiness. Feel free to adjust the spice level with fresh chiles or cayenne pepper, and consider adding a mix of soy sauce, honey, and hoisin for a sweet, spicy kick.

Serve your dish with steamed rice or green beans for a complete meal, and don’t forget garnishes like green onions for extra flair. Enjoy!

FAQ

Got questions about making Crispy Chilli Beef? First, choose thin beef strips like rump or flank for the best texture.

Don’t skip marinating; let the beef soak in soy sauce, ginger garlic paste, and other seasonings for at least 15 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving a flavorful depth in your dish.

For a crispy crust, coat your marinated beef strips in cornflour, and mixing in an egg helps it stick better.

When frying, keep the oil at 325°F and fry in batches for about 5-6 minutes.

For the sauce, mix sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce, and other ingredients, simmering until thick.

Serve it hot, garnished with sesame seeds and scallions, and enjoy it with rice or noodles!

Crispy Chilli Beef

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Ingredients

  

• Ingredients:
• Thin strips of beef rump, chuck, flank, sirloin, or minute steak
• Soy sauce
• Garlic minced
• Sesame oil
• Sugar
• Ginger grated
• Corn flour cornstarch
• Onion sliced
• Bell pepper capsicum, sliced
• Spring onions sliced
• Sweet soy sauce
• Ketchup
• Chinkiang black vinegar
• Oil for frying

Instructions

 

• Cooking Instructions:
• In a bowl, combine soy sauce, minced garlic, sesame oil, sugar, and grated ginger to create the marinade. Add the thin strips of beef, guaranteeing they're well coated. Allow the beef to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or longer if possible for maximum flavor.
• After marinating, drain the beef strips and toss them in corn flour until fully coated. This will create a crispy outer layer when fried.
• Heat oil in a deep frying pan or wok to 325°F (165°C) or 350°F for deep frying. Carefully add the coated beef strips in batches, frying for about 5 minutes or until they turn crispy and golden brown. Remove them from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
• In another pan, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat. Stir-fry the sliced onion, bell pepper, and spring onions for a few minutes until they start to soften. Add additional minced garlic and grated ginger for flavor.
• Once the vegetables are cooked, reduce the heat and pour in the sweet soy sauce, ketchup, and Chinkiang black vinegar. Stir well to combine, and then add the crispy beef strips back into the pan. Toss everything together over high heat for a minute to coat the beef and vegetables in the sauce.
• Serve the crispy chilli beef immediately, garnished with extra spring onions, sesame seeds, or coriander as desired, alongside steamed rice.