Description
Crispy Sweet Chilli Beef is a delightful Asian-inspired dish featuring tender beef strips coated in cornflour and fried to a golden crisp. The beef is then drenched in a luscious, sticky sweet chili sauce infused with fresh garlic, ginger, spring onions, and a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy flavors. Quick to prepare and bursting with vibrant flavors and textures, this dish pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice or stir-fried vegetables, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Coating
- 500g beef strips (thinly sliced)
- 3 tablespoons cornflour
Sauce and Aromatics
- 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
Garnish
- Fresh coriander
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Coat the Beef: Toss the thinly sliced beef strips with cornflour until they are fully and evenly coated. This dry coating will help achieve a crispy texture when fried.
- Fry the Beef: Heat a generous amount of vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the beef strips in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, cooking each batch for about 3-4 minutes until golden and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the beef strips to paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Prepare the Aromatics: Remove excess oil from the pan, leaving approximately 2 tablespoons. Return the pan to medium heat and add the white parts of the spring onions, minced garlic, ginger, and chopped red chili. Stir-fry this mixture for about 1 minute until fragrant and aromatic.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Stir well and cook the sauce for 2 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly and blend the flavors perfectly.
- Combine Beef and Sauce: Return the crispy beef strips to the pan. Toss thoroughly to coat each piece evenly with the sweet chili sauce, ensuring every bite is flavorful.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pan from heat. Sprinkle the dish with the green parts of the spring onions, freshly chopped coriander, and toasted sesame seeds before serving hot with steamed jasmine rice or stir-fried vegetables.
Notes
- Use lean beef cuts like sirloin or rump for best tenderness and flavor.
- Coat the beef strips evenly with cornflour to ensure consistent crispiness.
- Fry the beef in batches to maintain oil temperature and avoid soggy results.
- Adjust the amount of red chili according to your preferred spice level.
- Serve immediately after tossing with sauce for optimal texture and flavor.
- Optional: Use an air fryer for a healthier alternative to deep frying while keeping the crispiness.
- Leftovers can be reheated gently in a skillet or microwave but may lose some crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: Crispy Sweet Chilli Beef, Asian Beef Recipe, Fried Beef Strips, Sweet Chili Sauce, Quick Asian Dinner, Crispy Beef Stir-Fry
