Description
Discover the Chinese secret to tenderize even the toughest beef quickly with this tender beef stir-fry recipe. Using baking soda to soften the meat and a flavorful sauce complemented by sautéed bell peppers and onions, this dish is ready in just 25 minutes and perfect for a quick, delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Beef Marinade
- 500g (1 pound) beef (sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Stir-Fry Ingredients
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ red bell pepper, sliced
- ½ green bell pepper, sliced
Sauce
- 1 large clove garlic, minced (or 2 small cloves)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chili sauce (adjust for spice preference)
Instructions
- Tenderize the Beef: Place the thinly sliced beef in a bowl and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Toss to coat evenly, then let it sit for 15 minutes. This step helps break down the protein fibers, making the beef tender.
- Rinse and Dry: After 15 minutes, thoroughly rinse the beef under cold running water to remove the baking soda. Pat the beef dry with paper towels to ensure good searing.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together minced garlic, salt, sugar, black pepper, red pepper flakes, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and chili sauce. Set aside to let the flavors meld.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add sliced onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper, then sauté for 2–3 minutes until they are slightly softened but still crisp. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Beef: In the same skillet, add the prepared beef slices and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the beef is browned and cooked through.
- Combine and Finish: Return the sautéed vegetables to the skillet with the beef. Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetables and stir well to coat everything evenly. Cook for an additional 1–2 minutes until heated through and the sauce slightly thickens.
- Serve: Serve the tender beef stir-fry hot with steamed rice or your choice of noodles for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Be sure to rinse the beef well after marinating with baking soda to avoid any residual soapy taste.
- Adjust the amount of chili sauce based on your preferred spice level.
- You can substitute sirloin or flank steak with other quick-cooking cuts like ribeye or skirt steak.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free chili sauce.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor as the beef can become tougher if overcooked.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
