Dinner

Crispy Sweet Chilli Beef Recipe

ByLily Cross December 2, 2025December 2, 2025

Introduction

This Crispy Sweet Chilli Beef is a perfect balance of crunchy texture and tangy, spicy flavors. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s an easy dish that brings a restaurant-quality feel to your dinner table. Enjoy it with steamed rice or noodles for a satisfying meal.

A close-up view of a blue bowl filled with pieces of glossy, dark brown meat coated in a thick sauce. The meat is mixed with bright red and green chili peppers scattered evenly throughout. Small white sesame seeds are sprinkled on top, adding texture and contrast. There is a small sprig of fresh green herb for garnish near the bottom. The surface beneath the bowl is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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 from the pan, leaving about 2 tablespoons behind. 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

Use sirloin or ribeye for more tender beef strips.
If you prefer less heat, reduce the amount of chili or remove the seeds before chopping.
For extra crunch, double fry the beef strips by briefly frying again after coating with sauce.
Substitute sweet chili sauce with a mix of chili paste and honey if unavailable.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan over low heat to maintain crispiness, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.

How to Serve

The dish is served in a white bowl, filled with glossy pieces of fried meat coated in a thick, dark brown sauce that looks sticky and rich. Red and green chili peppers are scattered throughout, adding bright spots of color with their shiny, smooth skins. Small sesame seeds are sprinkled on top, along with a few fresh green cilantro leaves for a touch of freshness. The meat pieces have a crispy texture beneath the sauce. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Yes, thinly sliced flank steak or skirt steak also work well for this recipe, as they cook quickly and stay tender when sliced thinly.

Is this recipe spicy?

It has a mild to medium heat level due to the red chili and sweet chili sauce. You can adjust the spiciness by changing the amount of chili or omitting it altogether for a milder dish.