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    Home » recipes » Dinner

    Chinese Chilli Beef Recipe

    Published: Mar 19, 2023 by Radwa · This post may contain affiliate links. 7 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    I love chilli beef, especially if it is a Chinese beef recipe; so tender and tasty. This recipe is my go-to Chinese beef stir fry; which is tender beef strips with a delicious sweet chilli sauce. If you love chilli beef like me, you will love this recipe and won't ever stop making it.

    For more easy Chinese recipes, check Easy Kung Pao Beef and Chinese Sweet And Sour Chicken.

    Chinese chilli beef topped with spring onion.
    Jump to:
    • The Best Crispy Chilli Beef Recipe
    • Why Does This Recipe Work?
    • Ingredients
    • How To Make Chinese Chilli Beef
    • How to Serve
    • Top Tips!
    • Variations
    • How To Store and Freeze
    • More Easy Recipes
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    The Best Crispy Chilli Beef Recipe

    This chilli beef recipe is the easiest and quickest I've made. The combination of brown sugar, chilli flakes and soy sauce works well in giving a sweet and chilli taste to this beef recipe. Using olive oil and ginger in this recipe gives a unique flavour and smell.

    Please note: This recipe is spicy so adjust the chilli to your preference.

    Why Does This Recipe Work?

    • This recipe is perfect for Chinese food lovers and it is better than Chinese takeaway.
    • The best Chinese crispy chilli beef recipe with sweet chili sauce you will ever need, it is so popular in all the Chinese restaurants.
    • This quick recipe uses simple ingredients and the instructions are easy to follow.
    • A delicious and quick meal for the whole family to enjoy for dinner or lunch.
    • A versatile dish; you can add in some veggies.
    Chinese chilli beef and white rice.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients of the recipe.
    • Stir fry beef strips: This recipe uses sirloin steak cut into thin beef slices.
    • Olive oil: I use extra virgin olive oil for good flavour.
    • Spices: salt, ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, chilli flacks and garlic powder.

    The Sweet Chilli Sauce Ingredients

    • Brown sugar: Gives a sweet kick to this recipe.
    • Tomato paste: For extra flavor.
    • Soy sauce: Gives extra flavour. You may replace it with hoisin sauce.
    • Fresh Ginger: Gives an excellent taste and smell to the beef.
    • Cornstarch (cornflour): Important to thicken the sauce. You may use potato starch instead.
    • Spring onions: It gives a sharp and crunchy taste to the beef.
    Chinese chilli beef and white rice in a serving plate.

    How To Make Chinese Chilli Beef

    Steps of making the recipe by photos.

    One (Prepare the beef) : Wash the beef and pat dry with paper towel then cut the beef into thin strips.

    Two (Cook the beef): In a medium-sized frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat then add the beef on the hot oil in a single layer and cook for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes golden brown. Then put the cooked beef in a plate and set aside.

    Three (Make the sweet chili sauce): In the same pan add ginger, onion, tomato paste, brown sugar, soy sauce and all the spices, stir.

    Four: Add the cornstarch in the water and stir well then add to the previous mixture. 

    Five: On medium heat, put the sauce for 2 minutes then add the beef, stir then lower the heat and leave the beef to simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the beef is fully cooked and the sauce thickens.

    Tip: While simmering if the sauce becomes dry, add ¼ cup of water.

    Chinese chilli beef in a bowl.

    How to Serve

    This crispy chili beef will be delicious served with white rice, pasta or bread and some salad such as Malfouf Salad, coleslaw salad or Korean Carrot Salad.

    Top Tips!

    • Use tender steak cuts for this recipe; I used sirloin; you may also use tenderloin, rib-eye or rump steak and make sure to cut the steak into thin slices.
    • If you like this dish with more sauce to serve over rice or noodles, you can double or triple the sauce ingredients.
    Chinese chilli beef topped with spring onion.

    Variations

    • Garnish your dish with some sesame seeds or fresh parsley.
    • You can use vegetable oil, sesame oil or peanut oil instead of olive oil.
    • Add in half a teaspoon of rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar if you like to have a little bit of tangy sauce.
    • Use tomato ketchup instead of tomato paste.
    • To get a spicy sauce, add in 1-2 chopped red chillies.

    How To Store and Freeze

    To store: Keep the beef leftovers in a well sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

    To freeze: You can also freeze this dish for 1-2 months; reheat it in a large frying pan on the stove or in the. Microwave for a few seconds.

    Chinese chilli beef topped with spring onion.

    More Easy Recipes

    • Chicken Liver With Onion And Pepper
    • Aubergine With Minced Beef For Dinner
    • Cheesy Cauliflower Rice Recipe 
    • Homemade Creamy Lentil Soup 
    • Beef Rissoles in a serving plate.
      Beef Rissoles Recipe
    • A spoonful of mushroom fried rice.
      Mushroom Fried Rice - Chinese Recipe
    • Spinach Mushroom Pizza.
      Fresh Spinach Mushroom Pizza
    • Baked Indian tandoori chicken in a baking pan.
      Indian Tandoori Chicken (Oven Baked)

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    Recipe

    Chinese chilli beef topped with spring onion.
    Print Pin
    5 from 7 votes

    Chinese Chilli Beef Recipe

    No more Chinese takeaway; make this crispy chilli beef at home with simple ingredients. Crispy strips of beef are cooked in sweet chilli sauce. Quick, simple and easy to make!
    Course Dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine Chinese
    Keyword Chinese Chilli Beef
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 333kcal
    Author Radwa

    Equipment

    • Frying pan
    • Measuring spoons
    • Measuring cups
    • Kitchen knife
    • Chopping board

    Ingredients

    • 700 g stir fry beef strips
    • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon ginger chopped
    • 2 spring onion chopped
    • 1 teaspoon tomato paste
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 tablespoon soy sauce
    • ¾ cup water

    Spices

    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon chilli flacks
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

    Instructions

    • Wash the beef then pat dry with kitchen paper.
    • In a medium-sized frying pan, heat the olive oil then add the beef on a high heat and cook for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes brown. Then put the beef in a plate and set aside.
    • In the same pan add ginger, onion, tomato paste, brown sugar, soy sauce and all the spices, stir.
    • Add the cornstarch in the water and stir well then add to the previous mixture.
    • On medium heat, put the sauce for 2 minutes then add the beef, stir then lower the heat and leave the beef to simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the beef is fully cooked and the sauce thickens.

    Notes

    • Use tender steak cuts for this recipe; I used sirloin; you may also use tenderloin, rib-eye or rump steak and make sure to cut the steak into thin slices.
    • If you like this dish with more sauce to serve over rice or noodles, you can double or triple the sauce ingredients.

    Variations

    • Garnish your dish with some sesame seeds or fresh parsley.
    • You can use vegetable oil, sesame oil or peanut oil instead of olive oil.
    • Add in half a teaspoon of rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar if you like to have a little bit of tangy sauce.
    • Use tomato ketchup instead of tomato paste.
    • To get a spicy sauce, add in 1-2 chopped red chillies.
    To store: Keep the beef leftovers in a well-sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
    To freeze: You can also freeze this dish for 1-2 months; reheat it in a large frying pan on the stove or in the. Microwave for a few seconds.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 333kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 939mg | Potassium: 688mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 191IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 4mg

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Madona

      July 15, 2021 at 11:38 am

      5 stars
      This chilli beef recipe is an absolute favourite in my house. I have made this recipe so many times, and every time, it turns out amazing, even better than what we used to have in the Chinese restaurant.

      Reply
    2. Heidi

      July 15, 2021 at 11:41 am

      5 stars
      Hi Radwa, I tried this recipe with beef, turkey and chicken. It was just perfect in all. I also garnish with some toasted peanuts. Thanks for sharing this lovely recipe.

      Reply
    3. Kate

      July 15, 2021 at 11:46 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is not only delicious but very easy to make. The beef was so soft and tender, and the sauce was so delicious. I love it!!

      Reply
    4. Olivia

      July 15, 2021 at 12:03 pm

      5 stars
      So delicious, added 2 tablespoons of honey and a few drops of lemon juice.

      Reply
    5. Rose

      July 15, 2021 at 3:35 pm

      5 stars
      Is it okay to replace the fresh ginger with dry ginger?

      Reply
      • Radwa

        July 15, 2021 at 3:35 pm

        Yes, that is fine.

        Reply
    6. David Spencer

      February 12, 2023 at 8:12 am

      5 stars
      OMG, that tastes just like bought take-away chinese, but only Better!!! props to my wife!

      Reply

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    Hello! I’m Radwa, A wife and mother. Also, I am the recipe maker and food photographer behind Healthy Life Trainer. I love making new, simple and quick recipes every day.

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