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Sizzling Chili Beef Stir-Fry

Sizzling Chili Beef Stir-Fry
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Sizzling Chili Beef Stir-Fry is a quick and bold dinner that combines tender beef strips with vibrant vegetables and a spicy, sweet-savory chili sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it balances heat and sweetness perfectly, making it ideal for busy weeknights or when craving a hearty, flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef and Vegetables

  • 250–300g lean beef strips (sirloin, flank, or skirt steak), thinly sliced against the grain
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1–2 fresh chili peppers, sliced thinly (or 1 tsp chili flakes, adjust to preference)
  • 2 green onions, sliced

Sauce

  • 3 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free)
  • 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar (or sugar-free sweetener for low sugar)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • Optional: 1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 tbsp cold water (for thickening)

Cooking Oils

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for stir-frying, high smoke point)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Slice the beef into thin strips across the grain to ensure tenderness. Wash and chop the bell peppers into bite-sized pieces, mince the garlic, and slice the fresh chili peppers or measure out chili flakes according to your preferred heat. Have all ingredients ready near your cooking station.
  2. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, honey or brown sugar, and a splash of sesame oil. If using cornstarch, dissolve it in cold water to form a slurry. This creates the balanced sweet and spicy sauce base.
  3. Stir-Fry the Beef: Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat and add vegetable oil. Add the beef strips in a single layer and stir-fry quickly until browned on all sides but still tender inside, about 2-3 minutes. Remove beef from the pan and set aside to avoid overcooking.
  4. Cook the Vegetables and Aromatics: In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Add minced garlic, sliced chili peppers (or chili flakes), and bell peppers. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until vegetables soften slightly but retain some crunch.
  5. Combine and Finish: Return the beef to the pan, pour in the sauce mixture, and stir to coat everything evenly. Allow the sauce to thicken slightly, creating a glossy chili glaze on the beef and veggies. Finish by stirring in sliced green onions.

Notes

  • Use high heat to get a quick sear and avoid steaming the ingredients.
  • Prepare and chop all ingredients before starting to cook for smooth workflow.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary to properly brown beef and vegetables.
  • Thinly sliced beef cooks faster and stays tender.
  • Taste and adjust the seasoning at the end, adding more salt, sweetness, or chili as desired.
  • For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
  • To reduce sugar, replace honey with a sugar-free sweetener.
  • For vegetarian variation, replace beef with firm tofu or tempeh and increase vegetables.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef stir-fry, chili beef, quick dinner, spicy stir-fry, gluten-free, Asian stir-fry

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/sizzling-chili-beef-stir-fry/