Description
Crispy Chilli Beef is a vibrant and spicy stir-fry dish featuring tender beef sirloin coated in a crispy flour mixture, then tossed in a flavorful sweet and spicy sauce with fresh bell peppers and aromatic garlic and ginger. Perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner, this dish delivers a delicious balance of textures and bold Asian-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Coating
- 1 pound beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Others
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the beef coating: In a large bowl, combine cornstarch, all-purpose flour, salt, and black pepper. Thoroughly coat the thinly sliced beef sirloin pieces in this dry mixture ensuring an even coating for crispiness.
- Fry the beef: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully fry the coated beef slices in batches until they are crispy and golden brown on all sides. Remove the beef with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Mix the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sweet chili sauce, rice vinegar, and brown sugar until the sugar dissolves and the sauce is smooth. Set aside.
- Sauté the aromatics: Pour out most of the oil from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add minced garlic and ginger to the skillet and sauté over medium heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Cook the bell peppers: Add the thinly sliced red and green bell peppers to the skillet. Stir-fry them until they are tender-crisp, approximately 3-4 minutes, which preserves their vibrant color and crunch.
- Combine beef and sauce: Return the crispy fried beef to the skillet with the cooked bell peppers. Pour the prepared sauce mixture over everything and toss to coat the beef and vegetables evenly. Continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes so the flavors meld and the beef is warmed through.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and garnish the dish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately for the best crispiness and flavor.
Notes
- For extra heat, add chopped fresh chili or a dash of chili flakes to the sauce.
- Use a high smoke point oil like vegetable or peanut oil for frying to prevent burning.
- Slice the beef thinly against the grain for tender bites.
- You can prepare the sauce in advance to save time during cooking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days but may lose crispiness.
