Flavors Worth Savoring
Authentic Beijing Beef Recipe – Quick Chinese Dinner
As the wok sizzles and the aroma of garlic and ginger fills the air, I feel a wave of nostalgia. Growing up, Beijing beef was a comfort, a taste of my heritage. Now, I’m excited to share this authentic recipe with you, so you can enjoy the same bold flavors in your kitchen.
This Beijing beef dish is a Chinese-American classic. It combines tender, crispy beef with a savory, slightly sweet, and tangy sauce. It’s a quick and easy dinner that’s sure to satisfy your cravings for bold, Asian-inspired cuisine.
With just a few simple steps and about 30 minutes of your time, you can transport your taste buds to Beijing. Let’s dive in and explore the secrets to creating an authentic Beijing beef dish. It’s sure to impress your family and friends.
Essential Ingredients for Beijing Beef Recipe
To make sichuan beef or spicy beef stir fry at home, you need the right ingredients. Flank steak, sliced thinly, is key for tenderness. Baking soda tenderizes the beef, while cornstarch and egg whites make it crispy.
The sauce is made from soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, ketchup, and brown sugar. Chinese five spice and sesame oil add depth. Garlic, onion, red bell pepper, and red chili pepper bring flavor and heat. Green onions and sesame seeds finish it off.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Flank Steak | 1 lb, thinly sliced against the grain |
| Baking Soda | 1 tsp |
| Cornstarch | 2 tbsp |
| Egg Whites | 2 |
| Vegetable Oil | 1 cup |
| Garlic, minced | 3 cloves |
| Onion, sliced | 1 medium |
| Red Bell Pepper, sliced | 1 |
| Red Chili Pepper, sliced | 1 |
| Soy Sauce | ¼ cup |
| Hoisin Sauce | 2 tbsp |
| Rice Vinegar | 2 tbsp |
| Ketchup | 2 tbsp |
| Brown Sugar | 2 tbsp |
| Cornstarch | 1 tbsp |
| Tomato Paste | 1 tbsp |
| Chinese Five Spice | 1 tsp |
| Sesame Oil | 1 tsp |
| Green Onions, sliced | 2 |
| Sesame Seeds | 1 tbsp |
With these ingredients, you’re ready to make a sichuan beef dish that tastes like Beijing beef. Now, let’s follow the recipe to make this spicy beef stir fry in your kitchen.
Marinating and Tenderizing Techniques
Getting the right texture for your beef dishes is key in Chinese cooking. The magic happens in the marinating and tenderizing steps. These steps turn tough beef into tender, juicy pieces.
Perfect Marinade Ratios
- Soy sauce: 2 tablespoons
- Bayou City Garlic Pepper: 1 teaspoon
- Baking soda: 1/2 teaspoon
- Sesame oil: 1 tablespoon
- Sugar: 1 teaspoon
- Chinese five spice: 1/2 teaspoon
Timing and Temperature Guidelines
Marinate the beef for about 30 minutes in the fridge. This lets the flavors soak in. For frying, heat the oil to 350°F. This temperature cooks the beef well and adds a nice crunch.
“The secret to tender, flavorful beef lies in the marinade. With the right balance of ingredients and the right technique, you can transform even the toughest cuts into a mouthwatering delight.”
Step-by-Step Beijing Beef Recipe
Learn how to make authentic Beijing Beef at home. This classic Chinese cooking dish has tender beef with a crispy coating. It’s tossed in a sweet, spicy, and savory sauce. Follow these steps to make a stir fry recipes that will take you to Beijing’s streets.
- Start by marinating 340 grams of beef steak (flank, ribeye or sirloin) in a mix of 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic paste, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon 5 spice powder. Let it marinate for 15-20 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix 2 egg whites and 1 cup of corn starch until smooth. Coat the marinated beef in this mixture evenly.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Fry the coated beef in batches until it’s golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per batch. Drain the excess oil on a paper towel-lined plate.
- In the same wok or skillet, sauté 4 cloves of garlic, 1 medium onion, and 1 red pepper in a bit of oil until they’re fragrant and tender.
- Mix the sauce by combining 3 tablespoons of vinegar, 1/3 cup of light brown sugar, 1/3 cup of ketchup, 1 tablespoon of tomato paste, 2 tablespoons of hoisin sauce, and 1 teaspoon of cornstarch.
- Add the crispy beef back to the wok or skillet and toss with the sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and the beef is evenly coated.
Serve your beijing beef recipe hot over steamed rice. Enjoy the perfect mix of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. This dish will quickly become a family favorite!
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time | Servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 minutes | 20 minutes | 40 minutes | 4 |
“The perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors make this beijing beef recipe a true delight.”
Creating the Perfect Beijing Beef Sauce
The secret to a great Beijing beef dish is its sauce. This sauce is a mix of asian flavors that makes the chinese beef recipes even better.
Sauce Components and Ratios
The Beijing beef sauce is made of:
- Rice vinegar: for a tangy, acidic note
- Brown sugar: to balance the acidity and add caramelized sweetness
- Ketchup and tomato paste: for a rich, tomato-based backbone
- Hoisin sauce: providing depth of flavor with its savory-sweet profile
- Soy sauce: adding umami and saltiness
- Cornstarch: to thicken the sauce into a glossy, velvety texture
Balancing Sweet and Savory Flavors
To make the perfect Beijing beef sauce, balance sweet and savory is key. Start by simmering vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, and tomato paste until the sugar dissolves. Then, add hoisin and soy sauce, adjusting the flavors until it’s just right.
To thicken, mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Slowly add it to the sauce, stirring until it thickens. This makes the sauce clingy and coats everything beautifully.
This sauce, with its perfect balance, will take you to China’s bustling streets. Enjoy this authentic chinese beef recipes with your loved ones for a memorable Asian-inspired meal.
Pro Tips for Authentic Chinese Cooking
Improve your authentic Chinese cuisine with these top tips. Focus on the small details to get the real taste of traditional Chinese cooking at home.
- Cut flank steak thinly against the grain for tenderness. This way, the beef soaks up marinades well and cooks fast, making it tender.
- Fry the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding. This ensures a crispy outside and prevents steaming instead of searing.
- Stir-fry at high heat to keep vegetables crunchy. High heat helps veggies stay fresh and not soggy.
- Adjust sauce flavors to your liking. Mix sweet, savory, and tangy to match your taste.
- Choose peanut oil or soybean oil for their Chinese taste. They handle high heat better than other oils.
- Have all ingredients ready before cooking. Stir-frying is fast, so you need to act quickly.
Using these pro tips will help you master authentic Chinese cooking. You’ll impress everyone with your cooking skills.
“The secret to great Chinese cooking is in the preparation.” – Chef Ming Tsai
