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Buy Now →Beijing Beef is a beloved dish known for its crispy beef coated in a luscious, sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce. Combined with sautéed bell peppers and onions, it’s a flavor-packed meal that perfectly balances texture and taste. This homemade version captures all the essence of the famous takeout classic, without any additives just fresh, delicious ingredients. Perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal, Beijing Beef pairs beautifully with steamed rice or noodles. Whether you’re recreating your favorite takeout dish or exploring new flavors, this crispy and saucy beef stir-fry is guaranteed to impress your taste buds.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
For the Beef:
- 1 pound (454 g) flank steak, sliced into ¼” slices (against the grain)
- 1 cup (237 ml) vegetable oil
- 4-6 tablespoons cornstarch
For the Beef Marinade:
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cold water
For the Sauce:
- ¼ cup (59 ml) water
- 2 tablespoons honey (or sugar)
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- ¼ cup (69 g) hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 ½ teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
For the Vegetables:
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into ½” pieces
- 1 yellow onion, cut into ½” pieces
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Directions:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, cornstarch, salt, and cold water for the beef marinade. Add the steak and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients and set aside.
- After marinating, coat the steak with 4 tablespoons of cornstarch, ensuring an even layer. Add more cornstarch if needed, up to 6 tablespoons.
- Heat vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Fry the steak in small batches until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Drain most of the oil from the wok, leaving about a tablespoon. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until slightly softened.
- Pour the sauce into the wok and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
- Add the crispy beef back into the wok and toss everything together until well coated.
- Remove from heat and serve hot with rice or noodles.
Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour
Kcal: 329 kcal per serving | Servings: 4
What Makes Beijing Beef So Special?
Beijing Beef is an irresistible dish because of its well-balanced flavor profile. The crispy beef delivers a satisfying crunch, while the sauce offers a harmonious blend of sweetness, tanginess, umami, and a touch of heat. Every bite is a mix of textures and flavors that make it hard to resist.
Crispy Coating with Juicy Meat
One of the key elements of this dish is the way the beef is prepared. The flank steak is thinly sliced against the grain to ensure tenderness. It is then marinated to enhance flavor and coated with cornstarch, creating a light, crisp texture when fried. This frying technique results in a crunchy exterior while keeping the inside juicy and flavorful.
The Signature Sweet & Tangy Sauce
The sauce is what truly defines Beijing Beef. It is made with a combination of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sweet chili sauce, ketchup, and honey (or sugar). This mix of ingredients creates a rich, sticky, and slightly spicy glaze that coats the beef perfectly. The sauce is cooked down until it thickens slightly, ensuring that it clings to the beef and vegetables without becoming watery.
Aromatic & Colorful Vegetables
In addition to the crispy beef and flavorful sauce, Beijing Beef includes fresh bell peppers and onions. These vegetables provide a contrast in texture, with the onions adding a subtle sweetness and the bell peppers contributing a slight crunch and color. The minced garlic in the stir-fry also enhances the dish’s overall aroma and taste.
Origins of Beijing Beef
Despite its name, Beijing Beef is not a traditional dish from Beijing. Instead, it is a Chinese-American creation that has been popularized by restaurants like Panda Express. Chinese-American cuisine is known for adapting traditional Chinese flavors to suit the Western palate, often incorporating sweeter, tangier, and slightly milder flavors than authentic Chinese dishes.
Beijing Beef is somewhat similar to other crispy stir-fried dishes, such as General Tso’s Chicken and Orange Chicken, which also feature deep-fried protein coated in a flavorful sauce. However, Beijing Beef sets itself apart with its unique sauce, which blends a variety of bold flavors.
While it may not be an authentic Beijing dish, the recipe is inspired by Northern Chinese flavors, where sweet and sour elements are often used in cooking. Over the years, this dish has gained a loyal following and has become a staple in Chinese-American cuisine.
Why You Should Make Beijing Beef at Home
While ordering Beijing Beef from a restaurant is convenient, making it at home has several advantages.
Healthier & Fresher Ingredients
Many takeout versions of Beijing Beef use high amounts of oil, sugar, and preservatives to enhance flavor and texture. When you make it at home, you can control the amount of sugar and oil used, ensuring a healthier dish without sacrificing taste. Additionally, using fresh ingredients means you avoid additives commonly found in fast food versions.
Customizable to Your Taste
Making Beijing Beef at home allows you to adjust the flavors based on your preferences. You can control the level of sweetness, tanginess, and spice by adjusting the ingredients in the sauce. For those who love extra heat, increasing the red pepper flakes or adding fresh chili peppers can take the spice level up a notch.
Perfect for Meal Prep & Leftovers
Beijing Beef is a great option for meal prepping. The crispy beef can be stored separately from the sauce to maintain its texture when reheated. It’s a dish that reheats well, making it an excellent choice for busy weekdays when you want a quick and flavorful meal.
Best Ways to Serve Beijing Beef
Beijing Beef is a versatile dish that pairs well with various sides, making it a great centerpiece for an Asian-inspired meal.
With Steamed Rice
One of the most classic ways to serve Beijing Beef is over a bed of steamed white rice or jasmine rice. The rice soaks up the extra sauce, making every bite full of flavor. Brown rice can also be used for a healthier alternative.
With Fried Rice
For an even more indulgent meal, try pairing Beijing Beef with homemade fried rice. The combination of crispy beef and seasoned rice with eggs and vegetables makes for a satisfying and restaurant-quality dish.
With Noodles
Beijing Beef also pairs beautifully with stir-fried noodles or lo mein. Tossing the crispy beef with noodles and a bit of extra sauce creates a dish similar to classic Chinese noodle bowls.
With Vegetables or a Side Salad
For a lighter meal, you can serve Beijing Beef with a side of stir-fried vegetables, such as broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy. A fresh Asian-style cucumber salad or coleslaw can also complement the rich flavors of the dish.
Tips for Making the Perfect Beijing Beef
- Slice the Beef Thinly – Cutting the beef into thin, even slices ensures that it cooks quickly and absorbs the marinade well. Be sure to slice against the grain for the most tender texture.
- Use Cornstarch for Crispiness – Cornstarch is key to achieving that signature crispy coating. Coat the beef evenly and fry in batches to prevent overcrowding, which can cause steaming instead of crisping.
- Fry at the Right Temperature – Frying at medium-high heat (around 350°F/175°C) ensures that the beef gets crispy without absorbing too much oil. If the oil is too cold, the beef will turn out greasy instead of crispy.
- Don’t Overcook the Vegetables – The bell peppers and onions should be slightly softened but still have some crunch. Overcooking them can make them too mushy and take away from the dish’s vibrant texture.
- Balance the Sauce – Taste the sauce before adding it to the wok. If it’s too sweet, add more vinegar; if it’s too tangy, add a bit more honey or sugar. Adjusting the sauce to your preference is the key to perfecting the dish.
Conclusion:
Beijing Beef is a delicious and satisfying dish that brings the bold flavors of Chinese-American cuisine right into your kitchen. With its crispy beef, vibrant vegetables, and signature sweet-and-tangy sauce, it’s a meal that is sure to please the whole family.
Making this dish at home is not only healthier but also allows for customization, ensuring the perfect balance of flavors tailored to your taste. Whether served over rice, noodles, or alongside a vegetable stir-fry, Beijing Beef is a fantastic option for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
If you love Chinese takeout but want a homemade version that’s just as flavorful (if not better!), give this Beijing Beef recipe a try. Once you taste the crispy, saucy goodness, it’s bound to become a regular addition to your meal rotation.