Name: Crispy Chilli Beef
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: For the Beef:; 360g (¾ lb) thin-cut sirloin steak, sliced into thin strips; 1 small egg, beaten; 4 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch); ¼ tsp salt; ¼ tsp black pepper; ⅛ tsp white pepper; 4 ½ tbsp vegetable oil; For the Stir-Fry:; 1 medium onion, thinly sliced; 1 red chilli, finely sliced (seeds removed for less heat); 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; Spring onions (scallions), chopped, for garnish (optional)

Crispy Chilli Beef

Craving that sweet and spicy stir-fry with perfectly crispy beef? You can create it yourself at home with this easy recipe!Crispy chilli beef is a popular dish and for good reason – it’s packed with flavor and texture.

This recipe uses thin-sliced sirloin steak, marinated for tender results. The cornstarch coating ensures a delightful crunch when fried. The stir-fry sauce is a delicious balance of sweet, savory, and spicy, thanks to a combination of ingredients like rice vinegar, soy sauce, tomato ketchup, and sweet chilli sauce.

This recipe is beginner-friendly and requires minimal prep work. With a few simple steps, you’ll have a restaurant-quality stir-fry ready for the table in under 30 minutes. Serve it with steamed rice or noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.

Questions I often get asked about this recipe:

Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes, flank steak or another lean cut can work well.

What if I don’t have cornstarch?
You can substitute all-purpose flour, but the coating might not be quite as crispy.

Is there a substitute for dark soy sauce?
Light soy sauce is okay, but the flavor may be lighter. Add a touch of molasses for a richer color.

How can I adjust the spice level?
Leave the seeds in the red chilli or add a pinch of chilli flakes for more heat.

How do I ensure the beef stays crispy?
Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying. Cook the beef in batches for even browning and crispness.

My sauce is too thin!
Simmer the sauce for a few extra minutes to thicken it up.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! Cook the beef and vegetables separately, then reheat them together before serving.

What should I serve with this?
Steamed rice or noodles are classic choices. You could also try chow mein or egg fried rice.

What you need to make Crispy Chilli Beef:

For the Beef:

360g (¾ lb) thin-cut sirloin steak, sliced into thin strips

1 small egg, beaten

4 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

⅛ tsp white pepper

4 ½ tbsp vegetable oil

For the Stir-Fry:

1 medium onion, thinly sliced

1 red chilli, finely sliced (seeds removed for less heat)

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

Spring onions (scallions), chopped, for garnish (optional)

How to make it:

Marinate the Beef: Place the sliced beef in a bowl. Add the beaten egg, cornflour, salt, black pepper, and white pepper.Mix well to coat the beef evenly. Let it marinate for 15 minutes while you prepare the stir-fry ingredients.

Heat the Oil: Heat half of the vegetable oil (2 ½ tbsp) in a large wok or frying pan over high heat.

Fry the Beef: Working in batches, carefully add the marinated beef to the hot oil. Fry for 1-2 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Drain the cooked beef on kitchen paper towels to remove excess oil.

Stir-Fry the Vegetables: Add a tablespoon of fresh oil to the wok if needed. Reduce the heat to medium-high. Add the onion, red chilli, ginger, and garlic. Stir-fry for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.

Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, tomato purée, sugar, tomato ketchup, and sweet chilli sauce. Pour the sauce into the wok with the vegetables.

Combine and Serve: Once the sauce thickens slightly, add the cooked crispy beef back to the wok. Toss to coat the beef in the sauce. Garnish with chopped spring onions (scallions) if desired. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Tips:

For a spicier dish, keep the seeds in the red chilli or add a pinch of chilli flakes to the sauce.

You can substitute flank steak or another lean cut of beef for the sirloin steak.

If you don’t have dark soy sauce, you can use light soy sauce instead. However, the flavour may be slightly lighter.

To make the dish ahead of time, cook the beef and stir-fry the vegetables separately. Then, reheat them together before serving.

Latest Reviews:

This crispy chilli beef was a winner! So easy to follow and the beef came out perfectly crispy. The sauce was delicious – sweet, spicy, and well-balanced. We served it with noodles and everyone went back for seconds. Definitely a keeper! Diane A.

Restaurant quality at home, no lie! This recipe is fantastic. The beef was tender and crispy, and the stir-fry sauce was addictive. I loved the option to adjust the spice level. We will be making this again soon, thanks! Jason K.

I’m not usually a great cook, but this recipe turned out amazing! It was surprisingly simple to make and tasted incredible.The crispy beef was the star, and the sauce was the perfect combination of sweet and savory. Highly recommend! Toni L.

Printable Recipe:

Yield: 4 people