Description
A quick and easy Crispy Chilli Beef recipe featuring tender beef strips coated in a crunchy batter and tossed in a vibrant, sweet-spicy chilli sauce. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal, this dish offers a delightful contrast of textures and bold flavors that can be customized to your preferred heat level and served with rice, noodles, or fresh veggies.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Coating
- 400g sirloin or rump beef, thinly sliced into strips
- 3 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
- Vegetable oil (canola or peanut oil) for frying
Sauce and Aromatics
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 1–2 fresh chillies or 1 tsp chilli flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
Garnishes and Serving
- 2 spring onions, chopped
- Sesame seeds (optional)
- Fresh coriander, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the Beef: Slice the beef into thin strips. Marinate the beef with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp cornflour, and 1 tsp sesame oil (if using). Set aside while preparing the sauce ingredients.
- Make the Crispy Coating: Lightly coat the marinated beef strips in the remaining cornflour, ensuring each strip is evenly covered to achieve maximum crispiness when fried.
- Fry the Beef: Heat vegetable oil in a wok or deep pan until hot but not smoking. Fry the coated beef strips in small batches, leaving enough space for even crisping. Once golden and crisp, remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Prepare the Chilli Sauce: In a separate pan or wok, sauté minced garlic, ginger, and fresh chillies in a little oil until fragrant. Add soy sauce, honey (or brown sugar), and rice vinegar (or lime juice), stirring continuously until the sauce thickens into a sticky, glossy coating.
- Toss and Serve: Return the crispy beef strips to the pan with the chilli sauce. Toss quickly to coat each piece thoroughly without losing the crisp texture. Garnish with chopped spring onions, sesame seeds, and fresh coriander if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Pat beef dry before marinating to help the coating stick better and ensure crispiness.
- Maintain oil temperature while frying to avoid soggy beef strips.
- Use fresh garlic and ginger for vibrant and aromatic sauce flavor.
- Fry beef in small batches to prevent overcrowding and uneven cooking.
- Toss beef in sauce just before serving to keep it crispy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying, Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 150-170g)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: Crispy Chilli Beef, Spicy Beef, Asian Stir Fry, Quick Dinner, Gluten-Free Options