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Crispy Chili Beef Recipe is a must-try dish!

This Crispy Chilli Beef is a flavor-packed Chinese takeaway classic made at home! Thin strips of beef are coated, fried until golden and crunchy, then tossed in a sticky, sweet-spicy sauce. It’s the perfect combo of crispy, saucy, and irresistibly bold.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Chinese-Inspired
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Beef:
  • ¾ lb sirloin steak thinly sliced against the grain
  • 1 small egg
  • 4 tablespoons cornflour cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ⅛ teaspoon white pepper
  • 4½ tablespoons sunflower oil divided
For the Sauce:
  • 1 medium onion thinly sliced
  • 1 red chili finely sliced (deseed for less heat)
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons dark soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato puree
  • 6 tablespoons caster sugar
  • 2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce

Method
 

  1. Place the steak in the freezer for 30 minutes to make slicing easier. Then cut into thin ¼-inch strips.
  2. In a bowl, beat the egg and mix it with the sliced beef. Add cornflour, salt, black pepper, and white pepper. Toss until the beef is well coated.
  3. Heat 3 tablespoons of sunflower oil in a large wok or frying pan over high heat. Fry half the beef for 5–6 minutes until dark brown and crispy. Do not stir constantly—let it crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels.
  4. Repeat with the second batch of beef using 1 tablespoon of oil.
  5. Add the remaining ½ tablespoon of oil to the pan. Lower heat to medium and sauté the onion for 2 minutes.
  6. Stir in the sliced chili, minced garlic, and ginger. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  7. Add rice vinegar, dark soy sauce, tomato puree, caster sugar, ketchup, and sweet chili sauce. Stir and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 1–2 minutes.
  8. Return the crispy beef to the pan and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Heat through for 1–2 minutes.
  9. Serve immediately with rice or noodles.

Notes

  • Partially freezing the beef makes it easier to slice thinly and evenly.
  • For extra crispy beef, avoid overcrowding the pan while frying.
  • Want it hotter? Add extra red chili or a splash of sriracha.
  • This dish is best served fresh to preserve the crunch.