There are dishes you cook once… and then crave forever. Crispy Chilli Beef is one of those recipes. I first made this dish on a busy weeknight when I wanted something bold, fast, and comforting. The result? Crispy strips of beef coated in a glossy, sweet-spicy chilli sauce that disappeared from the table in minutes
I first made this dish on a busy weeknight when I wanted something bold, fast, and comforting. The result? Crispy strips of beef coated in a glossy, sweet-spicy chilli sauce that disappeared from the table in minutes. Since then, this Crispy Chilli Beef has become one of my go-to crowd-pleasers — perfect for family dinners, casual entertaining, or when you’re simply craving takeout flavors at home.
This recipe delivers maximum crunch, balanced heat, and restaurant-style flavor, without complicated steps. Let me walk you through it like we’re cooking side by side in my kitchen.
🔥 Why This Crispy Chilli Beef Is So Irresistible
Here’s why this dish always gets rave reviews:
- 🥩 Incredibly crispy texture thanks to a light cornstarch coating
- 🌶️ Perfect sweet-spicy balance (customizable heat level)
- ⏱️ Ready in under 30 minutes
- 👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly with adjustable chilli
- 💰 Affordable, using simple cuts of beef
It’s the kind of recipe that feels indulgent but is surprisingly easy to master.
🛒 Ingredients for Perfect Crispy Chilli Beef
Main Ingredients
- 14 oz (400 g) beef flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- Neutral oil (vegetable or avocado oil)
Sweet & Spicy Chilli Sauce
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1–2 tsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
Aromatics
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 red chilli, thinly sliced
- Green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Smart Substitutions from Chef André
- No sweet chilli sauce? Use honey + chilli flakes + vinegar
- Prefer gluten-free? Use tamari instead of soy sauce
- No egg? Cold sparkling water works surprisingly well
🔪 Step-by-Step Preparation with Chef André
1️⃣ Coat the Beef
In a bowl, mix the sliced beef with the egg and cornstarch until evenly coated. This thin batter is the key to ultra-crispy beef.
2️⃣ Fry Until Golden & Crunchy
- Heat oil over medium-high heat
- Fry beef in small batches for 3–4 minutes
- Remove when golden and crisp
- Drain on paper towels
💡 Chef’s Tip: Overcrowding the pan lowers the oil temperature and kills the crunch.
3️⃣ Build the Sauce
In a clean pan:
- Sauté garlic, ginger, and chilli for 30 seconds
- Add all sauce ingredients
- Simmer 1–2 minutes until glossy and slightly thickened
4️⃣ Toss & Finish
Add crispy beef to the sauce and toss quickly until coated. Serve immediately with green onions on top.
🌶️ Creative Variations by Chef André
🔥 Extra Spicy Version
Add chili oil or double the sriracha for serious heat lovers.
🧀 Crispy Chilli Beef with Cheese
Sprinkle grated mozzarella or cheddar on top for a fusion twist.
🌿 Fresh Herb Version
Finish with cilantro and Thai basil for a fresh, aromatic note.
⭐ Chef André’s Pro Tips for the Best Results
- Slice beef against the grain for tenderness
- Use high heat to lock in crispiness
- Toss beef with sauce just before serving
- Avoid reheating in the microwave — it softens the crust
🍚 What to Serve with Crispy Chilli Beef
This dish pairs beautifully with:
- Steamed jasmine rice or fried rice
- Stir-fried noodles
- Asian slaw or cucumber salad
- As an appetizer with toothpicks for parties
❄️ Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Up to 3 days in an airtight container
- Reheating: Air fryer or skillet (best for crunch)
- Freezing: Not recommended — texture suffers
❓ FAQ – People Also Ask
Is Crispy Chilli Beef very spicy?
Not necessarily. You control the heat by adjusting the chilli and sriracha.
How do I keep the beef crispy?
Fry in small batches and add the sauce at the last moment.
Can I make Crispy Chilli Beef ahead of time?
You can prep the sauce and beef separately, but combine only before serving.
What cut of beef works best?
Flank steak, sirloin, or skirt steak are ideal.
🥗 Approximate Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: ~480 kcal
- Protein: ~32 g
- Carbohydrates: ~28 g
- Fat: ~26 g
(Values are estimates and vary by ingredients used.)
👨🍳 Conclusion by Chef André
This Crispy Chilli Beef proves that bold, restaurant-style flavors don’t require complicated techniques. It’s crunchy, saucy, comforting, and endlessly adaptable — exactly the kind of dish that brings people back to the table for seconds.
If you try this recipe, leave a comment and let me know how spicy you went 🌶️
And for safe food handling tips when cooking beef, I always recommend checking official guidelines from USDA Food Safety:
Happy cooking,
Chef André 🍽️🔥
Ingredients
- Ingredients:
- 14 oz 400 g beef flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- Neutral oil vegetable or avocado oil
- **Sweet & Spicy Chilli Sauce**
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 –2 tsp sriracha adjust to taste
- **Aromatics**
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger grated
- 1 red chilli thinly sliced
- Green onions sliced (for garnish)
- Instructions:
- In a bowl mix sliced beef with the egg and cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Heat oil over medium-high. Fry beef in small batches for 3–4 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- In a clean pan sauté garlic, ginger, and red chilli for 30 seconds. Add all sauce ingredients. Simmer for 1–2 minutes until glossy.
- Add the crispy beef to the sauce. Toss until coated. Serve immediately garnished with green onions.
Instructions
- Crispy Chilli Beef delivers the perfect sweet-spicy balance with crunchy, golden beef tossed in a bold, flavorful sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s ideal for weeknight dinners or crowd-pleasing takeout-style meals at home.
Notes
No sweet chilli sauce? Use honey + chilli flakes + vinegar.
Cold sparkling water can replace egg in the coating.
To keep the beef crispy, fry in small batches and toss with sauce just before serving.
Avoid microwave reheating; use a skillet or air fryer for best results.