Name: Crispy Beef Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients: 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain; 1/3 cup cornstarch; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 2 teaspoons rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); 1/4 cup vegetable oil for frying; 2 green onions, sliced for garnish

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If you’re looking for the ultimate takeout-at-home meal that’s guaranteed to win over both family and friends, look no further than this Crispy Beef Recipe. Imagine generous strips of tender flank steak—fried until shatteringly crisp then tossed in a luscious, savory sauce with just enough sticky sweetness and a gentle kick of aromatic ginger and garlic. Every bite is a harmony of flavor and crunchy texture, perfect for piling over fluffy rice or savoring straight from the skillet. This dish brings together everything you love about your favorite Asian-inspired restaurant meals and makes it surprisingly simple (and fun!) to recreate in your own kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of my favorite parts about this Crispy Beef Recipe is how every ingredient serves an important purpose—nothing is wasted and everything brings flavor, texture, or that signature glossy finish. Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need to bring this showstopper dish to your table.

Flank steak: Thinly slicing against the grain ensures ultimate tenderness even after a quick fry; flank steak holds up perfectly for this recipe.
Cornstarch: This is the secret to addictively crispy beef, creating a light, golden crust in the hot oil.
Soy sauce: The backbone of the sauce, providing deep umami flavor and saltiness.
Hoisin sauce: Adds a touch of sweet complexity and a little tang, balancing out the savory elements.
Brown sugar: Slightly caramelizes during cooking, giving the sauce its signature sticky gloss and hint of sweetness.
Rice vinegar: Wakes up all the flavors with a bright, gentle acidity.
Sesame oil: Just a splash infuses the sauce with nutty, aromatic depth—don’t skip this!
Garlic: Minced fresh for that unmistakably rich and warm hit of flavor.
Fresh ginger: A little goes a long way; adds heat and zest to round out the sauce.
Red pepper flakes (optional): For those who love a touch of heat, a sprinkle of flakes brings the perfect amount of gentle spice.
Vegetable oil: Ideal for frying due to its neutral flavor and high smoke point.
Green onions: Sliced on top for a pop of freshness, color, and mild onion flavor.

How to Make Crispy Beef Recipe

Step 1: Coat the Beef

Start by tossing your thinly sliced flank steak with cornstarch in a medium bowl. You’re aiming for each strip to be evenly dusted, as this is the magic that creates that mouthwatering, crunchy coating. Don’t rush this step—the light coating is the secret to the signature crispiness you’ll love in this Crispy Beef Recipe. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, giving the cornstarch time to bond with the beef while you whip up the sauce.

Step 2: Make the Signature Sauce

In a separate small bowl, combine soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, fresh ginger, and red pepper flakes if you’re a fan of a little extra heat. Give everything a good whisk. You’ll notice the sauce smells incredible already—a balance of sweet, savory, and spicy that will soon coat every crispy bite of beef. This sauce is the heart and soul of the dish, so don’t be afraid to really get in there and blend everything thoroughly.

Step 3: Fry the Beef

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering hot, add the beef in small batches—crowding the pan will steam it rather than crisp it. Fry until each piece develops a deep golden crust (about 2 to 3 minutes per side), then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. If you’re craving all-out crunch, feel free to double-fry the beef by repeating this step!

Step 4: Sauce and Toss

Once all the beef is beautifully crisp, carefully pour off any excess oil from the skillet, then return all the beef to the pan. Pour in the prepared sauce and toss everything together, letting the sauce bubble and thicken for 2 to 3 minutes. The sauce should cling to the beef, transforming each strip into a glossy, flavor-packed wonder. Your kitchen will smell amazing—trust me, not a soul will be able to resist sneaking a taste at this stage.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Turn off the heat and scatter sliced green onions over the top for a burst of color and extra freshness. This final touch adds brightness to balance the rich, savory sauce, rounding everything out for the perfect restaurant-quality experience right at home.

How to Serve Crispy Beef Recipe

Garnishes

A sprinkle of sliced green onions is the classic touch, but you can also add toasted sesame seeds or a few red chili slices for color and subtle spice. For an extra wow factor, try a handful of chopped cilantro or a light drizzle of chili oil right before serving. These garnishes don’t just look beautiful—they add aroma, flavor, and crunch that complement the dish’s bold personality.

Side Dishes

This Crispy Beef Recipe absolutely shines when served over a bed of steaming jasmine or basmati rice, soaking up all the extra sauce. Stir-fried veggies like broccoli, snow peas, or bok choy make fantastic additions on the side, providing a crisp, refreshing counterpoint to the rich beef. Want to take things further? Try serving with simple fried rice, garlic noodles, or even tucked inside lettuce cups for a fun, interactive meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Transform your Crispy Beef Recipe into an appetizer by skewering the pieces on toothpicks for party-ready bites, or wrap them inside steamed bao buns with crunchy slaw for a fusion twist. For a hearty weeknight dinner, tuck the crispy beef into warm tortillas with pickled veggies for clever Asian-inspired tacos. There’s truly no limit—let your creativity run wild!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any extras of this dish keep surprisingly well in the fridge. Transfer cooled Crispy Beef Recipe leftovers to an airtight container and store for up to 3 days. The coating won’t be quite as crisp, but reheating will bring back much of that irresistible texture and flavor.

Freezing

If you want to make this recipe ahead or save for later, freeze the cooked (and cooled) beef pieces separately from the sauce in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Freeze the sauce in a small container or bag alongside the beef and thaw both in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.

Reheating

To re-crisp your Crispy Beef Recipe, reheat the beef in a hot oven (about 375°F) for 8–10 minutes on a baking sheet, or use a skillet over medium-high heat until sizzling. Add the sauce during the last minute or two of reheating to keep things glossy and flavorful—just like fresh!

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Absolutely! While flank steak delivers that signature tenderness, you can also use sirloin, skirt steak, or even thin-sliced ribeye for delicious results. Just make sure to slice against the grain and keep the pieces uniform for even cooking.

Is this Crispy Beef Recipe gluten-free?

With a few quick substitutions, it can be! Use tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce and double-check that your hoisin sauce is gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients are already wheat-free, making this an easy adaptation.

Can I make this dish less sweet?

Definitely. If you prefer a less sweet sauce, simply reduce the brown sugar to one tablespoon or even omit it entirely. The savory elements will still shine, and you can always adjust to suit your own taste buds.

What’s the best way to slice the beef for the Crispy Beef Recipe?

For maximum tenderness and even crisping, freeze the steak for about 15 minutes before slicing. Use a sharp knife and cut thin strips against the grain—this breaks up the muscle fibers and results in melt-in-your-mouth texture once cooked.

Can I add vegetables directly into the dish?

Absolutely! Stir fry your favorite colorful veggies like bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas in the same skillet after frying the beef, then toss everything together with the sauce. It’s a great way to pack in extra flavor and nutrition.

Final Thoughts

What could be more satisfying than recreating restaurant-style magic at home? This Crispy Beef Recipe is a total crowd-pleaser, bursting with flavor and so much fun to make. I hope you’ll give it a try soon and enjoy every deliciously crunchy, saucy bite!

Crispy Beef Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 16 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Crispy Beef recipe is a delicious Asian-inspired dish featuring thinly sliced flank steak coated in a crispy cornstarch crust and tossed in a flavorful sauce. Perfectly balanced with savory, sweet, and spicy flavors, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crispy Beef:

1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
1/3 cup cornstarch

For the Sauce:

1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

1/4 cup vegetable oil for frying
2 green onions, sliced for garnish

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Instructions

Prepare the Beef: Toss the sliced beef with cornstarch in a bowl and let it sit for 10 minutes.
Make the Sauce: Whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl.
Fry the Beef: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet, fry the beef until crispy, then remove to a plate.
Cook with Sauce: Drain excess oil, return beef to the skillet, pour in the sauce, and cook until thickened.
Serve: Garnish with green onions before serving.