Description
Discover the Chinese secret to tenderize even the toughest beef quickly with this easy stir-fry recipe. Marinated with baking soda and combined with a flavorful garlic and chili sauce, this tender beef stir-fry with colorful bell peppers and onions cooks in minutes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner served over steamed rice or noodles.
Ingredients
Beef Marinade
- 500g (1 pound) beef (sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Stir-Fry Ingredients
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ red bell pepper, sliced
- ½ green bell pepper, sliced
Sauce
- 1 large clove garlic, minced (or 2 small cloves)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chili sauce (adjust for spice preference)
Instructions
- Marinate the Beef: Place the thinly sliced beef in a bowl and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Toss the beef to evenly coat with the baking soda. Let it sit for 15 minutes to tenderize. After 15 minutes, rinse the beef thoroughly under cold water to remove the baking soda, then pat dry with paper towels.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, salt, sugar, black pepper, red pepper flakes, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and chili sauce until well combined. Set this flavorful sauce aside for later use.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened but still crisp. Remove the vegetables from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Beef: In the same skillet, add the drained and dried beef slices. Cook over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes until the beef is browned on all sides. Do not overcrowd the skillet to ensure proper searing.
- Combine and Finish Cooking: Return the sautéed vegetables to the skillet with the beef. Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetables. Stir well to coat everything evenly with the sauce, and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until everything is heated through and the sauce slightly thickens.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve the tender beef stir-fry hot, ideally with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- Using baking soda tenderizes the beef by breaking down the proteins, making it soft and juicy.
- Rinsing the beef well after marinating with baking soda is critical to avoid any residual baking soda flavor.
- Adjust chili sauce quantity to control the spice level of the dish.
- Thinly slicing the beef ensures quick cooking and tenderness.
- Serve immediately for best taste and texture.
- This recipe works well with sirloin or flank steak but can be adapted with other beef cuts thinly sliced.
