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Crispy Chili Beef Recipe: A Fiery and Flavor-Packed Favorite

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  • Author: Vergie Hough

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crispy Beef:

  • 1 lb (450g) flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced

  • 1/4 cup cornstarch (plus more if needed)

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

  • Oil, for deep or shallow frying

For the Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp soy sauce

  • 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce

  • 1 tbsp hoisin sauce

  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar or white vinegar

  • 2 tbsp brown sugar

  • 1 tbsp tomato ketchup (optional for tang and color)

  • 12 tsp chili flakes or chili paste (adjust to taste)

  • 1 tsp sesame oil

Add-ins:

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 small piece ginger, grated

  • 1 red chili, finely sliced (optional, for more heat)

  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

  • 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

  • Sesame seeds (optional garnish)


Instructions

1. Prepare the Beef

  • Pat beef slices dry with a paper towel.

  • Toss in a bowl with cornstarch, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.

2. Fry Until Crispy

  • Heat oil in a wok or pan over medium-high heat.

  • Fry beef in batches until crispy and golden (about 3–4 minutes per batch).

  • Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

3. Mix the Sauce

  • In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, hoisin, vinegar, sugar, ketchup, chili flakes, and sesame oil. Set aside.

4. Sauté Veggies & Aromatics

  • Pour out most of the oil from the pan, leaving about 1 tbsp.

  • Sauté garlic, ginger, and red chili for 30 seconds.

  • Add bell pepper and cook until just tender.

5. Combine & Toss

  • Return crispy beef to the pan.

  • Pour in the sauce and toss everything together over high heat until coated and sticky (1–2 minutes max).

6. Serve

  • Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately with hot jasmine rice or noodles.