Savour the Heat: Authentic Chinese Chilli Beef Recipe

If you're looking for a delicious and easy-to-make main course, then you should try making a Chinese chilli beef recipe. This dish is a popular Chinese takeaway style shredded beef strips with a delicious sweet chilli kick. With simple ingredients, you can make this dish at home and impress your family and friends with your culinary skills.

To make a Chinese chilli beef recipe, you will need ingredients such as stir fry beef strips, olive oil, salt, ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, chilli flakes, garlic powder, brown sugar, tomato paste, and sweet chilli sauce. The preparation guide for this recipe includes cutting the beef into thin slices, mixing the spices together, and cooking the beef in a pan until it's crispy. Then, you add the sweet chilli sauce and tomato paste to the pan and let it bubble for a minute before serving.

This Chinese chilli beef recipe is better than Chinese takeaway because you can customize it to your liking and make it as spicy or as sweet as you want. You can also add seafood to the recipe, such as shrimp or scallops, to give it a unique twist. With these simple tips, you can create a delicious and flavourful dish that will impress your guests and leave them wanting more.

Key Takeaways

• Chinese chilli beef is a delicious and easy-to-make main course that you can make at home.
• The ingredients for this recipe are simple and can be customized to your liking.
• You can add seafood to the recipe, such as shrimp or scallops, to give it a unique twist.

Ingredients List

Main Ingredients

To prepare the Chinese Chilli Beef recipe, you will need the following main ingredients:

• Steak (sirloin or flank steak)
• Cornflour
• Salt
• Vegetable oil
• Egg

Sauce Components

To make the sweet chilli sauce for the Chinese Chilli Beef, you will need the following sauce components:

• Sweet chilli sauce
• Soy sauce (light and dark)
• Rice vinegar
• Apple cider vinegar
• Tomato ketchup
• Hoisin sauce
• Sugar
• Salt
• Cornflour

Garnish and Extras

To garnish the Chinese Chilli Beef, you can use the following ingredients:

• Spring onions
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Red chilli
• Carrot
• Sesame seeds
• Vinegar
• Sweet onion
• Chilli flakes
• Peanut oil

If you're feeling adventurous, you can also add seafood to the recipe. Prawns or squid would be a great addition to this dish. Make sure to clean and devein the prawns before cooking. If using squid, make sure to remove the skin and clean the body and tentacles thoroughly before slicing them into rings.

Now that you have your ingredients ready, let's move on to the next step of the recipe.

Preparation Guide

Marinating the Beef

Before you start cooking, you need to marinate the beef. For this recipe, it's best to use a tender cut of steak such as sirloin, tenderloin, rib-eye, or rump steak. Cut the steak into thin strips and season it with soy sauce, ginger garlic paste, sesame oil, sugar, and white pepper. You can also add half a teaspoon of baking soda and half a teaspoon of corn starch to tenderize the meat if you're using a cheaper cut.

Once the steak is seasoned, set it aside to marinate for 15-20 minutes. This will allow the flavours to penetrate the meat, making it more tender and flavourful.

Making the Sauce

The sauce is what gives this dish its signature flavour. In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sweet chilli sauce, and sugar. This will create a sweet and spicy sauce that pairs perfectly with the beef.

Vegetable Prep

While the beef is marinating, you can start preparing your vegetables. This recipe calls for a mix of colourful bell peppers, onions, and red chillies. Cut the peppers and onions into thin strips and slice the chillies into rounds. You can also add other vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, or snow peas if you like.

Once your vegetables are prepped, you're ready to start cooking. Heat some oil in a wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the beef and stir-fry for a few minutes until it's browned and crispy. Remove the beef from the pan and set it aside.

If you want to add seafood to this recipe, you can use prawns or scallops. Simply stir-fry them with the vegetables until they're cooked through.

This recipe is easy to prepare and packed with flavour. With a little bit of prep work, you can have a delicious Chinese chilli beef dish on the table in no time.

Cooking Instructions

Frying the Beef

To start, heat oil in a wok or frying pan over high heat. Once hot, add your sliced beef and fry until crispy. This should take approximately 2-3 minutes. Be sure to stir the beef frequently to ensure it cooks evenly. Once the beef is crispy, remove it from the pan and set it aside.

Stir-Frying Vegetables

Next, stir-fry your vegetables until they are cooked through. You can use any vegetables you like, but peppers, onions and carrots work particularly well. Add your vegetables to the same wok or frying pan you used to cook the beef. Cook the vegetables for approximately 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.

Combining Ingredients

Once your vegetables are cooked, add the beef back into the pan. Mix everything together and add your sweet chilli sauce. Stir everything together until the beef and vegetables are coated in the sauce. Cook for an additional minute or two to ensure everything is heated through.

If you want to add some seafood to your dish, you can use prawns or squid. Simply fry them in the wok or frying pan before adding the vegetables. This will give your dish a delicious seafood twist.

This Chinese chilli beef recipe is quick and easy to make. With a cook time of only 10-15 minutes, it's perfect for a busy weeknight. The key to achieving a crispy texture is to fry the beef until it's browned on the outside. So don't be afraid to turn up the heat!

Serving Suggestions

Plating

When it comes to serving your Chinese chilli beef, you can get creative with your plating to make it look as appetising as possible. You could try serving it in a large bowl with some steamed rice or noodles on the side, or you could plate up individual servings on small plates for a more sophisticated look.

To make your dish look even more appealing, you could add some garnish on top of your chilli beef. Chopped spring onions or coriander would work well, or you could sprinkle some sesame seeds on top for a little extra crunch.

Accompaniments

Chinese chilli beef goes well with a variety of accompaniments. Steamed rice is a classic choice, but you could also try serving it with some noodles for a change.

If you're looking to add some veggies to your meal, you could try serving your chilli beef with some stir-fried vegetables on the side. Bok choy, broccoli, and peppers are all great options.

For a lighter option, you could try serving your chilli beef with a fresh salad. A simple cucumber and carrot salad with a rice vinegar dressing would be a great contrast to the spicy beef.

If you want to experiment with seafood, you could try adding some prawns or scallops to your chilli beef. The sweetness of the seafood would balance out the spicy kick of the chilli beef. Alternatively, you could try making a seafood version of the dish by using prawns or scallops instead of beef.

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure the beef is completely cooled before storing it. If you're not planning on eating it within 3 days, you can freeze it for up to 3 months.

Best Reheating Practices

When reheating, it is important to make sure that the beef is heated throughout. You can reheat it in the oven at 190°C - 200°C for 10 minutes. If you're in a hurry, you can also reheat it in the microwave. Warm the sauce for 5 minutes or until hot in the microwave and mix with the beef. This is the best way to warm up Chinese crispy beef without it going soggy.

If you're looking to add some seafood to the dish, you can try adding some prawns or squid. Simply cook them separately and add them to the dish at the end. Prawns and squid are great options because they cook quickly and absorb flavours well.

It is important to note that this dish is not particularly low in calories. If you're looking to reduce the calorie count, you can use leaner cuts of beef and reduce the amount of oil used in the recipe. However, keep in mind that this may affect the overall taste and texture of the dish.

Overall, storing and reheating Chinese chilli beef is simple and straightforward. With the right techniques, you can enjoy this delicious dish even after it has been cooked.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the secret to making crispy chilli beef?

The secret to making crispy chilli beef is to use cornflour to coat the beef before frying. This gives the beef a crispy texture and prevents it from becoming soggy. You can also add a little baking powder to the cornflour to make it extra crispy.

Can you recommend a good chilli beef stir-fry technique?

To make a good chilli beef stir-fry, start by heating a wok or frying pan over high heat. Add a little oil and stir-fry the beef until it's browned and crispy. Remove the beef from the pan and set it aside. Add garlic, ginger, and chilli to the pan and stir-fry for a minute or two. Add vegetables such as peppers, onions, and carrots and stir-fry until they're tender. Add the beef back to the pan and stir-fry for a minute or two before adding the sauce. Cook until the sauce has thickened and serve immediately.

How do you keep chilli beef crispy when reheating?

To keep chilli beef crispy when reheating, you can reheat it in the oven instead of the microwave. Spread the beef out on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 10-15 minutes until it's heated through and crispy.

What's the origin of crispy chilli beef?

Crispy chilli beef is a popular dish in Chinese cuisine. It's believed to have originated in Sichuan province, which is known for its spicy cuisine.

How can I make a healthier version of chilli beef in a slow cooker?

To make a healthier version of chilli beef in a slow cooker, use lean cuts of beef such as sirloin or flank steak and trim off any visible fat. You can also add plenty of vegetables to the dish such as peppers, onions, and carrots. Use a low-sodium soy sauce and reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe. You can also use seafood such as prawns or scallops instead of beef for a healthier option.

What are the key ingredients for a sweet chilli beef dish?

The key ingredients for a sweet chilli beef dish are beef, chilli, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and cornflour. You can also add vegetables such as peppers, onions, and carrots to the dish. If you want to add seafood, you can use prawns or scallops.