Description
Crispy Chilli Beef is a flavorful and spicy stir-fry dish featuring tender beef sirloin coated in a crispy flour and cornstarch batter, tossed in a savory-sweet chili sauce with vibrant bell peppers, garlic, and ginger. Perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner that delivers a delightful crunch and a kick of heat.
Ingredients
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
Other
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the beef coating: In a large bowl, mix together the cornstarch, all-purpose flour, salt, and black pepper. Coat the thinly sliced beef sirloin evenly with this dry mixture to ensure a crispy texture once cooked.
- Fry the beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the coated beef slices in batches until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside. Remove the fried beef and drain excess oil using paper towels to keep them crisp.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sweet chili sauce, rice vinegar, and brown sugar until well combined. Set the sauce mixture aside for later use.
- Sauté aromatics: Carefully remove most of the oil from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add the minced garlic and fresh ginger to the skillet and sauté until fragrant to build the flavor base.
- Cook the vegetables: Add the sliced red and green bell peppers to the skillet and stir-fry until they soften but remain slightly crisp, enhancing the dish’s texture and color.
- Combine beef and sauce: Return the crispy beef to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the prepared sauce over everything and toss thoroughly to coat each piece of beef and vegetable evenly. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and the beef is heated through.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds to add freshness and a nutty flavor before serving.
Notes
- For an extra spicy kick, add some chopped fresh chili or a dash of chili flakes to the sauce.
- Use beef sirloin or flank steak for the best tenderness and flavor.
- Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying the beef to achieve maximum crispiness.
- This dish pairs well with steamed jasmine rice or fried rice.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently to retain crispiness.
