Description
Crispy Chilli Beef is a quick, bold, and flavorful stir-fry featuring thin sirloin strips, coated and fried until crispy, then tossed in a sticky sweet chilli-soy sauce. A better-than-takeout favorite that’s ready in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
360g (¾ lb) thin-cut sirloin steak, sliced into strips
1 small egg
4 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
⅛ tsp white pepper
4½ tbsp sunflower oil, divided
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 red chilli, sliced and deseeded (optional)
1 tsp minced ginger
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp rice vinegar
3 tbsp dark soy sauce
2 tbsp tomato purée
6 tbsp caster sugar
2 tbsp tomato ketchup
2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
Instructions
- Start by placing the steak strips in a bowl, then add the egg and stir until evenly coated.
- Dust with cornflour, salt, and both black and white pepper, then toss to coat.
- Add 3 tablespoons of oil to a wok or large frying pan and heat on high until it reaches a sizzling temperature.
- Cook the beef in two batches: spread out half the strips in the hot oil and allow them to crisp without stirring too much—about 5–6 minutes with just 3–4 stirs. Transfer to a bowl lined with paper towels.
- Repeat with another 1 tbsp oil for the second batch. Drain and combine with the first batch.
- Reduce the heat to medium, add the remaining 1/2 tbsp oil to the pan.
- Sauté the onion for about 2 minutes until softened.
- Add the chilli, ginger, and garlic. Stir for ~30 seconds until aromatic.
- Pour in the rice vinegar, soy sauce, tomato purée, sugar, ketchup, and sweet chilli sauce. Raise the heat and let the sauce bubble and thicken slightly.
- Return the beef to the pan, toss to coat, and heat through for 1–2 minutes until warmed thoroughly.
- Serve immediately with rice or noodles.
Notes
Partially freeze the steak before slicing for cleaner cuts.
Use tamari and gluten-free sauces to make it gluten-free.
Best served fresh; reheating loses crispiness.
Try with cooked chicken, duck, or lamb instead of beef.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (without rice)
- Calories: 472 kcal
- Sugar: 26 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Protein: 21 g