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By Chris Joe
5 from 15 votes
Sep 07, 2021, Updated May 07, 2022
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Beijing Beef was one of my first VIRAL recipes and many millions of views later, it’s still one of my most popular recipes to date! I knew it was a winner the first time I made the final version – the sauce is sweet, spicy, and salt, and the beef is crispy & tender. Beijing Beef is always a crowd pleaser!
Watch the Beijing Beef Recipe Video Below!
Ingredient Tips for Beijing Beef
FLANK STEAK
- Make sure you are slicing the beefagainstthe grain when making Beijing Beef . You’ll know which direction the grain is when you look at the meat – the lines will be running in one direction (the lines are the muscle fibers). Slicing against the grain is an easy way to ensure your meat will be tender. (Remember, the lines are the muscle fibers – cutting against the lines means you’re cutting the long fibers, so they don’t get tough when cooked!)
BAKING SODA
- This is the KEY ingredient to super tender beef. Baking soda is commonly used in Chinese cooking to tenderize beef. If you’re curious about the science behind it – baking soda neutralizes acid and raises the pH level, which causes the meat to become more alkaline. This means the proteins INSIDE the meat will have more trouble tightening up – when the proteins can’t tighten up, the meat ends up much more tender when cooked (instead of constricting together aka getting tough!)
CORNSTARCH
- Cornstarch is a key ingredient in Chinese cooking because it is used for velveting the meat. Velveting is a Chinese technique where protein is marinated in cornstarch and cooked quickly in hot oil, resulting in the meat becoming tender and silky. You’ll see this technique in a lot of my recipes because it’s one of my favorite ways to guarantee moist, tender protein!
SRIRACHA
- If you are sensitive to spice, I would recommend adjusting the amount of sriracha in this Beijing Beef recipe!
NEUTRAL OIL
- My favorite neutral oil is avocado oil, but you can also use canola or vegetable oil! I don’t use olive oil when cooking Chinese food for two reasons: 1. It has a low burning point and 2. I find that the flavor profile does not usually go with the dish.
Recipe Tips for Beijing Beef
CUT YOUR VEGETABLES!
- I always recommend cutting your vegetables into similar sized pieces so they cook evenly – this little step makes a huge difference in your Beijing Beef! In this recipe, I cut the bell peppers and onions in to similar sizes so they would cook evenly!
CORNSTARCH SLURRY
- A cornstarch slurry is a mixture of cornstarch and water that is used in cooking to thicken WITHOUT powdery lumps or additional flavors/colors! This is the secret to so many of your favorite Chinese dishes. My #1 tip is make sure your cornstarch slurry has not separated before adding it in – I always try to re-stir right before!
SUCCESS IS IN THE PREP!
- Once you start cooking, this recipe for Beijing Beef will come together very quickly. The key to pulling this off successfully is having all of your ingredients prepped and in bowls right next to your wok or pan! Have your premixed sauce, beef, and vegetables ready and easily accessible during the cooking process.
Cooking With a Wok (Alternatives)
By now, you know that I LOVE cooking with my carbon steel wok! It is my #1 most recommended kitchen tool, as I believe it is perfect for high-heat cooking and results in restaurant quality Chinese food!
If it is your first time cooking with a wok, make sure to read my “How To Season a Wok” post. There is a video included that shows exactly how to season your brand new wok and how to maintain it so it lasts for years.
If you cannot or do not want to use a wok, you can use a large pan, cast iron, or even a dutch oven.
My KEY TIP would be to avoid crowding your pan – crowding can lead to your Beijing Beef not cooking thoroughly and becoming mushy. If you think your dish will be crowded, use a larger pan, cast iron, or dutch oven, OR cook in batches.
If you tried this Beijing Beef or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
5 from 15 votes
Beijing Beef
By: Chris Joe
Servings: 4
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Ingredients
Beef
- 1 lb flank steak, cut into 1/4" strips
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp white pepper
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 egg white, beaten
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 2" pieces
- 1 small white onion, cut into 2" pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 3 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3 tbsp sriracha , adjust if you prefer less spicy
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp vinegar
Cornstarch Slurry
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp water
US Customary – Metric
Instructions
Slice steak against the grain and marinate with baking soda, white pepper, soy sauce, cornstarch and egg white for 30 minutes in the fridge.
Cut pepper and onions into 2” pieces. Chop 2 cloves of garlic and set aside.
Mix together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, sriracha, and ketchup to form your sauce.
Dust marinated beef in cornstarch then fry at 350F in neutral oil for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown.
Sauté vegetables over high heat for 2 minutes in 2 tbsp neutral oil over high heat then add beef and sauce.
Mix until combined then add vinegar, mix, then add cornstarch slurry. Stir for a minute to thicken. Serve with rice & enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 305kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 28gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 1872mgPotassium: 560mgFiber: 2gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 987IUVitamin C: 46mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 3mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Mention @cj.eats_ or tag #cjeatsrecipes!
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18 Comments
I’m confused because it says to use cornstarch in the marinade and then to dust it in cornstarch and fry. Please clarify
Reply
Hi Amanda – yes, cornstarch is used in the marinade and then that marinated beef is dusted in more cornstarch to provide a crispy exterior!
Reply
Easy, easy, easy recipe. Comes together quickly and is full of flavor! A favorite of mine!Reply
Very good
Flank steak tender
However, I would use less sugar and less ketchup.Reply
Easy to make and turned out better than I’ve had in restaurants!Reply
Amazing recipe and my fav!Reply
