Description
A classic sweet and sour beef stir fry featuring crispy fried beef coated in a tangy and sweet sauce. Perfect for a quick and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500 g beef sirloin cut into 1cm thick pieces
- 2 tablespoon Chinese dark vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon five spice powder
- 2 tablespoon apple cider
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 L vegetable oil for deep frying
Instructions
- Prepare the beef: Cut 500 g beef sirloin into uniform 1cm thick pieces. In a medium bowl, combine the beef with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon five spice powder, and 2 tablespoons apple cider. Toss to coat evenly and let marinate for at least 15-20 minutes at room temperature.
- Create the crispy coating: In a separate shallow dish, whisk together 1/4 cup cornstarch and 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour. Drain excess liquid from the marinated beef. Add the beef pieces to the cornstarch and flour mixture, a few at a time, tossing gently until each piece is evenly coated. Shake off any excess dry mixture.
- Deep fry the beef: Heat 1 L vegetable oil in a deep pot or wok over medium-high heat until it reaches 175-180°C (350-360°F). Carefully add the coated beef pieces in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for about 3-4 minutes per batch until golden brown and cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Make the sweet and sour sauce: In a small saucepan, combine 2 tablespoon Chinese dark vinegar and the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Combine for the final dish: Return the fried beef to the saucepan with the sweet and sour sauce. Toss gently to coat each piece evenly. Simmer for another minute or two to allow flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. Alternatively, for a crisper coating, pour the sauce over the fried beef just before serving.
Notes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir Fry
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Sweet Sour Beef Stir