Irresistible Crispy Chili Beef Recipe: Spicy, Sweet & Savory

Beef takes an exciting chili-infused journey in this irresistible crispy chili beef recipe that sizzles with bold Asian-inspired flavors.

Tender strips of meat crackle and pop with a delightful golden crunch that transforms ordinary dinner into something spectacular.

Every bite delivers a perfect balance of heat and savory goodness that dances across your palate.

The secret lies in the delicate coating and quick frying technique that ensures maximum crispiness.

Aromatic spices and a zesty sauce elevate this dish from simple to sensational.

You’ll find this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results right in your own kitchen.

Crispy Chili Beef Flavor Boosts

Conquer Culinary Complexity: Easy-to-Follow Gourmet Technique

• Master Sophisticated Flavors: Unlock restaurant-quality beef dish with simple home cooking steps that transform basic ingredients into an impressive meal.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser Potential: Delivers mouthwatering results with minimal preparation, perfect for impressing family and friends without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customizable Spice Adventure: Adjust chili peppers and heat levels to suit individual taste preferences, making this recipe adaptable for mild or spicy food lovers.
• Texture Sensation Guaranteed: Achieve perfectly crispy exterior and tender interior through strategic deep-frying technique that elevates beef to a restaurant-worthy experience.

Chili Beef Ingredients for Success

• Beef: Tender cuts that will be marinated and deep-fried for a crispy exterior.
• Potato Starch: Essential for creating a light, crispy coating on the beef.

• Onion, Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic base that adds depth and flavor to the beef.
• Soy Sauce: Provides saltiness and umami to the marinade.

• Honey, Hoisin Sauce, Soy Sauce, Shaoxing Wine, Sesame Oil, Vinegar, Water: Combination of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors that create a rich, glossy sauce.

• Cornstarch, Water: Creates a smooth, glossy texture for the sauce.

• Chili Peppers, Scallions, Sesame Seeds: Optional toppings that add color, heat, and extra flavor to the dish.

Chili Beef Simple Cooking Steps

Step 1: Blend Flavor Powerhouse

Grab your food processor and create a magical marinade.

Toss in onion, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce.

Pulse until you have a smooth, aromatic paste that will make your taste buds dance.

Step 2: Marinate the Meat

Coat your beef thoroughly with the marinade in a medium bowl.

Let it sit and soak up those incredible flavors for 15-20 minutes at room temperature, or refrigerate overnight for an even more intense taste experience.

Step 3: Prepare for Frying

Fill a large skillet, wok, or Dutch oven with oil, ensuring it’s at least 2 inches deep.

Heat to medium-high, getting ready for some crispy magic.

Step 4: Dust with Crispy Coating

Sprinkle potato starch over the marinated beef.

Use your hands to ensure each piece gets a perfect, even coating that will turn gloriously golden and crunchy.

Step 5: Create Crispy Beef Perfection

Carefully lower beef strips into the hot oil in batches.

Fry until each piece turns a gorgeous golden brown, typically about 4 minutes per batch.

Don’t overcrowd the pan – give each piece room to crisp up beautifully.

Step 6: Drain the Fried Goodness

Transfer the crispy beef to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Keep warm while finishing the remaining batches.

Step 7: Craft the Flavor-Packed Sauce

• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Water
• Hoisin sauce
• Shaoxing wine
• Sesame oil
• Vinegar

Step 8: Simmer the Sauce

Heat a clean pan over medium-high heat.

Pour in the sauce mixture and bring to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally.

Step 9: Thicken the Sauce

Mix cornstarch with water to create a quick slurry.

Once the sauce boils, stir in the cornstarch mixture.

Watch it magically thicken in about 30 seconds.

Step 10: Coat and Serve

Immediately toss the crispy beef in the thick, glossy sauce.

• Chili peppers
• Scallions
• Sesame seeds

Serve hot and enjoy the explosion of flavors!

Crispy Chili Beef Pro Tips

• Combine ingredients in a food processor for a smoother, more evenly distributed marinade that deeply penetrates the beef.
• Coat beef pieces thoroughly with potato starch to achieve an extra crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture.
• Avoid overcrowding the pan when deep-frying to ensure each beef strip gets perfectly crisp and golden without becoming soggy.
• Prepare cornstarch slurry separately and add quickly to prevent lumps, creating a glossy, smooth sauce that clings beautifully to the beef.
• Toss beef in sauce immediately after cooking and serve right away to maintain the crispy texture and maximize flavor absorption.

Chili Beef Twist & Variation Ideas

• Replace beef with firm tofu or seitan, cut into strips. Marinate using the same sauce and coating process for a plant-based version that maintains crispy texture.
• Low-Carb Protein Option: Swap potato starch with almond flour or coconut flour. Use chicken or turkey strips instead of beef for a leaner protein alternative that keeps the crispy chili flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Use tamari instead of soy sauce, replace hoisin with gluten-free hoisin alternative. Choose gluten-free cornstarch and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate dietary restrictions.

Serving Crispy Chili Beef

• Party Platter Perfection: Create a stunning appetizer spread by arranging crispy chili beef on a large wooden board with small dipping bowls of extra sauce.
• Noodle Nest Delight: Serve the beef over a bed of steamed rice noodles or stir-fried egg noodles for a complete and satisfying meal that adds texture and flavor.
• Lettuce Wrap Adventure: Offer fresh, cool lettuce leaves on the side, allowing guests to create their own interactive beef wraps with the crispy chili beef as the star protein.
• Spice Level Customization: Provide small dishes of extra chili flakes, sliced fresh chilies, or hot sauce so people can adjust the heat according to their personal preference.

Chili Beef Storage Advice

• Store leftover crispy chili beef in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Place in the fridge, separating meat from sauce to maintain crispiness.
• Carefully pack beef and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Seal tightly to prevent freezer burn.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread beef on baking sheet, cover loosely with foil. Warm for 10-12 minutes, ensuring meat doesn't dry out. Add a splash of water to maintain moisture.

FAQs

• What is potato starch, and why is it used in this recipe?

Potato starch is a fine, powdery starch that helps create a crispy exterior on the beef. It provides a light, crunchy coating that allows the meat to fry evenly and develop a golden-brown color.

• Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?

While beef is traditional, you can substitute chicken or pork. Just ensure the meat is cut into similar-sized strips and adjust cooking time accordingly to maintain the crispy texture.

• Is Shaoxing wine necessary, and what can I substitute?

Shaoxing wine adds depth to the sauce, but if unavailable, you can replace it with dry sherry or rice wine. If you don’t have these, a small amount of white wine works as a last resort.

Crispy Chili Beef Recipe

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy chili beef sparks culinary excitement with its perfect balance of crunch and spice. Sizzling strips of tender beef coated in a zesty sauce promise a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1.5 pounds steak (flank steak, top sirloin, or skirt, sliced against the grain)

Aromatics:

• 0.5 onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2-inch piece fresh ginger
• 1 to 2 fresh hot red chili peppers (thinly sliced)
• 3 green onions (thinly sliced)

Sauce and Coating Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon lower-sodium soy sauce
• 1 cup potato starch
• Neutral oil for frying
• 8 tablespoons honey
• 0.25 cup lower-sodium soy sauce
• 6 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry white wine or sake)
• 1.5 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon corn starch
• 1 tablespoon cold water

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Instructions

1. Create a vibrant marinade by blending onion, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce into a smooth paste using a food processor.
2. Thoroughly coat beef with the marinade, ensuring even coverage. Allow to rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, or refrigerate up to overnight for deeper flavor infusion.
3. Prepare a large skillet or wok with 2 inches of oil, heating to medium-high heat until oil shimmers and is ready for frying.
4. Dust beef pieces generously with potato starch, massaging to create a complete, even coating that will yield maximum crispiness.
5. Carefully lower beef strips into hot oil in small batches, preventing overcrowding. Fry each batch for approximately 4 minutes, rotating to achieve golden-brown coloration on all surfaces.
6. Remove fried beef strips and drain on paper towel-lined plate to eliminate excess oil.
7. Craft a complex sauce by combining honey, soy sauce, water, hoisin sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, and vinegar in a mixing bowl.
8. Clear previous oil from cooking vessel or use a fresh pan. Heat sauce mixture over medium-high temperature, stirring occasionally until it reaches a rolling boil.
9. Simultaneously prepare a cornstarch slurry by whisking cornstarch with water until smooth.
10. Once sauce boils, quickly incorporate cornstarch mixture, stirring continuously. The sauce will thicken within 30 seconds; remove from heat immediately.
11. Quickly toss crispy beef into sauce, ensuring complete and uniform coating.
12. Plate instantly, garnishing with fresh chili peppers, chopped scallions, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for enhanced visual appeal and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Marinate beef for maximum flavor by letting it sit in the mixture for at least 15-20 minutes, with overnight marinating delivering even more intense taste.
• Use potato starch instead of regular flour for an extra crispy coating that creates a light, airy texture when deep-fried.
• Ensure oil is at the right temperature (around 350-375°F) by using a kitchen thermometer to prevent soggy or burnt beef strips.
• Keep meat batches small when frying to maintain oil temperature and achieve perfectly golden, crisp exterior without overcrowding the pan.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 410 kcal
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 560 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg