Crispy Sweet Chilli Beef Recipe
Introduction
Crispy Sweet Chilli Beef is a flavorful dish that combines tender, crunchy beef strips with a sticky, sweet, and spicy sauce. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for a tasty weeknight meal or to impress guests with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 500g beef strips (thinly sliced)
- 3 tablespoons cornflour
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (plus extra for frying)
- 1 small red chili, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 4 spring onions, sliced (separate white and green parts)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Fresh coriander and sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss the beef strips with cornflour until they are fully coated. Set aside to let the coating adhere.
- Step 2: Heat a generous amount of vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the beef strips in batches for about 3–4 minutes each, until golden and crispy. Drain the cooked beef on paper towels.
- Step 3: Remove excess oil from the pan, leaving about 2 tablespoons. Return the pan to heat and add the white parts of the spring onions, garlic, ginger, and chopped chili. Stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in the soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Stir and cook the sauce for 2 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Return the crispy beef to the pan and toss well to coat all the pieces evenly with the sauce.
- Step 6: Remove from heat, then sprinkle with the green parts of the spring onions, fresh coriander, and sesame seeds before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crunch, double fry the beef strips by frying once, resting, and then frying briefly again before coating with sauce.
- Adjust the chili amount to your preferred spice level or substitute with chili flakes.
- Use turkey or chicken strips as a leaner alternative to beef.
- Serve with steamed jasmine rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Storage
Store any leftover beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan over low heat to keep the beef crispy, adding a splash of water or soy sauce if the sauce thickens too much.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen beef strips for this recipe?
Yes, but make sure to thaw and pat them dry thoroughly before coating with cornflour to ensure they crisp up well.
What can I substitute for sweet chili sauce?
You can mix honey with a bit of sriracha or another chili sauce to mimic the sweet and spicy flavor if you don’t have sweet chili sauce on hand.
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Crispy Sweet Chilli Beef Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Crispy Sweet Chilli Beef is a flavorful Asian-inspired dish featuring thinly sliced beef strips coated in cornflour and fried to golden crispiness, then tossed in a tangy and sweet chili sauce with garlic, ginger, and spring onions. Garnished with fresh coriander and sesame seeds, this dish offers a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and savory notes, ideal for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Beef and Coating
- 500g beef strips (thinly sliced)
- 3 tablespoons cornflour
- Vegetable oil (for frying, amount as needed plus 2 tablespoons for sauce)
Sauce and Aromatics
- 1 small red chili, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 4 spring onions, sliced (separate white and green parts)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Garnish
- Fresh coriander
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Coat the beef: Toss the thinly sliced beef strips with cornflour until they are fully and evenly coated. Set aside to allow the coating to adhere properly before frying.
- Fry the beef: Heat a generous amount of vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the beef strips in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking each batch for about 3-4 minutes until they turn golden and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked beef to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Prepare the aromatics: Drain most of the oil from the pan, leaving approximately 2 tablespoons. Return the pan to the heat and add the white parts of the spring onions, minced garlic, minced ginger, and chopped red chili. Stir-fry for about 1 minute until the ingredients become fragrant.
- Make the sauce: Add the soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil to the pan with the aromatics. Stir well and cook the sauce for about 2 minutes, allowing it to slightly thicken and meld the flavors.
- Toss the beef in sauce: Return the crispy fried beef strips to the pan and toss everything together thoroughly to coat the beef evenly with the sticky, flavorful sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the pan from heat. Sprinkle the dish with the green parts of the spring onions, fresh coriander leaves, and sesame seeds to add color and an extra layer of flavor. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
- For best results, use beef that is thinly sliced to ensure quick frying and maximum crispiness.
- Do not overcrowd the pan during frying to maintain high oil temperature and prevent soggy beef.
- The sauce can be adjusted in sweetness or heat by varying the amount of honey and chili.
- This dish pairs well with steamed jasmine rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- Vegetable oil with a high smoke point is preferred for frying to achieve the perfect crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: Crispy sweet chili beef, Asian beef recipe, fried beef strips, sweet chili sauce, quick beef stir-fry
