Crispy Sweet Chilli Beef Recipe
Introduction
Crispy Sweet Chilli Beef is a flavorful and satisfying dish that combines tender, crispy beef with a deliciously sticky sweet chili sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or sharing with friends, this recipe brings bold Asian-inspired flavors to your table.
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 fully coated. Set aside.
- 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 until golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels.
- Step 3: Remove excess oil, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pan. 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: Add soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil to the pan. 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, sprinkle with green spring onion parts, fresh coriander, and sesame seeds before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crispiness, pat the beef strips dry before coating with cornflour.
- Adjust the amount of chili to suit your preferred spice level or use chili flakes as an alternative.
- Swap beef for chicken or tofu for a different protein option.
- Serve over steamed rice or noodles to make it a complete meal.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan over medium heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much. For best texture, avoid reheating in the microwave as it can make the beef less crispy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?
Yes, thinly sliced sirloin or flank steak work well because they cook quickly and stay tender when fried.
Is sweet chili sauce always spicy?
Sweet chili sauce typically has a mild heat balanced with sweetness, but the spice level can vary by brand. Choose one you enjoy or adjust the chili amount in the recipe to suit your taste.
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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 stir-fry featuring thinly sliced beef strips coated in cornflour and fried to a golden crisp. Tossed in a tangy and sweet chili sauce with garlic, ginger, and spring onions, this dish offers a perfect balance of heat and sweetness, garnished with fresh coriander and sesame seeds for an aromatic finish.
Ingredients
Beef and Coating
- 500g beef strips (thinly sliced)
- 3 tablespoons cornflour
Sauce and Aromatics
- 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
Garnish
- Fresh coriander
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Coat the beef: Toss the thinly sliced beef strips with cornflour until they are fully coated. This will help the beef achieve a crispy texture when fried. Set aside the coated beef.
- 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 the pan; fry each batch for about 3-4 minutes until golden and crispy. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove the beef and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Prepare aromatics: Remove the excess oil from the pan, leaving about 2 tablespoons behind. Return the pan to heat and add the white parts of the sliced spring onions, minced garlic, minced ginger, and finely chopped red chili. Stir-fry these aromatics for about 1 minute until fragrant and softened.
- Make the sauce: Add soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil to the pan. Stir the mixture continuously and let it cook for about 2 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens and becomes glossy.
- Toss beef in sauce: Return the crispy beef strips to the pan and toss them well in the sauce to evenly coat every piece. This step ensures the beef absorbs the delicious sweet and spicy flavors.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the pan from heat, then sprinkle on the green parts of the spring onions, fresh coriander leaves, and sesame seeds. Serve immediately while hot and crispy for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, ensure the beef strips are very thinly sliced and coated thoroughly with cornflour.
- Use a neutral vegetable oil with a high smoke point for frying, such as canola or sunflower oil.
- If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the red chili.
- This dish is best served immediately to maintain the crispy texture of the beef.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated but may lose their crispiness; reheat gently in a pan rather than microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: crispy sweet chilli beef, Asian beef stir-fry, spicy beef recipe, sweet chili sauce beef, easy beef stir-fry
