Crispy Shredded Chilli Beef – The Ultimate Homemade Takeaway
This dish is actually my go-to order from the Chinese takeaway. We always get a portion, but the quality can be unpredictable. Sometimes it’s fantastic, but other times, the beef is so crispy that it’s hard to tell if there’s any actual meat inside!
That’s why I prefer making it at home—so I can get the perfect balance of crunch and tenderness. A crispy, textured coating with juicy beef inside—delicious every single time!
For the best flavor, I like to use thin-cut or quick-cook sirloin steak. However, ribeye is a great alternative. You can also opt for flank/skirt steak or rump steak. If using flank or rump, be sure to slice it extra thin, as these cuts can become chewy when too thick. Always cut against the grain for maximum tenderness.
👩🍳 PRO TIP: Place the steak in the freezer for about 30 minutes before slicing. This firms it up, making it easier to cut into thin strips.
🔪 How to Make Crispy Shredded Chilli Beef
📌 Full recipe with step-by-step instructions is available in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Thinly slice the steak and place it in a bowl. Crack in a small egg and coat the beef thoroughly.
- Add cornflour, salt, black pepper, and white pepper, mixing everything together. The mixture will be sticky, but that’s exactly what creates the perfect crispy coating.
- Heat oil in a pan—just about 4 ½ tablespoons for shallow frying. Fry the beef in two batches over high heat for the best texture. I prefer shallow frying to avoid dealing with large amounts of leftover oil.
- Remove the crispy beef and set it aside. In the same pan, fry sliced onions along with chopped red chilli, ginger, and garlic until fragrant.
Now it’s time for the sauce!
The flavorful sauce is a combination of:
✔ Rice vinegar
✔ Dark soy sauce
✔ Caster sugar
✔ Ketchup
✔ Sweet chilli sauce
Mix everything in the pan and let it bubble for a minute. Then, return the crispy beef to the pan and toss everything together until the beef is fully coated in that delicious sauce.
Serve immediately with noodles, boiled rice, or egg-fried rice for the ultimate homemade Chinese feast.
🔥 Want More Sauce?
This recipe makes just enough sauce to coat the beef, with a little extra left in the pan. If you love a saucier dish, simply double the sauce ingredients (ginger, garlic, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, ketchup, and sweet chilli sauce).
For a slightly lighter flavor, you can use half dark soy sauce and half light soy sauce instead of all dark soy sauce.
Enjoy your homemade crispy shredded chilli beef—better than takeaway! 🍜🔥
Crispy Chilli Beef Recipe
A deliciously crispy and flavorful dish featuring tender beef strips coated in a light, crunchy batter and tossed in a tangy, spicy sauce. Inspired by my favorite Chinese takeaway meal—this homemade version is even better!
⏳ Prep Time: 10 minutes
⏳ Cook Time: 20 minutes
⏳ Total Time: 30 minutes
🍽 Servings: 4
🍴 Course: Dinner
🌏 Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
🛒 Ingredients
For the Crispy Beef:
✔ 360g (¾ lb) thin-cut sirloin steaks (about 3 thin steaks), cut into strips [See Note 1]
✔ 1 small egg
✔ 4 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)
✔ ¼ tsp salt
✔ ¼ tsp black pepper
✔ ⅛ tsp white pepper
✔ 4 ½ tbsp sunflower oil (divided)
For the Sauce:
✔ 1 medium onion, peeled and thinly sliced
✔ 1 red chilli, finely sliced (remove seeds for a milder flavor)
✔ 1 tsp minced ginger
✔ 3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
✔ 2 tbsp rice vinegar
✔ 3 tbsp dark soy sauce
✔ 2 tbsp tomato purée (tomato paste for US)
✔ 6 tbsp caster sugar (or superfine sugar)
✔ 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
✔ 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce (I use Thai-style)
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Beef
1️⃣ Place the steak strips in a bowl and crack in the egg. Mix well to coat the beef evenly.
2️⃣ Add cornflour, salt, black pepper, and white pepper. Toss everything together until the beef is coated in a sticky mixture.
Step 2: Fry the Beef
3️⃣ Heat 3 tbsp of oil in a large frying pan or wok over high heat.
4️⃣ Fry the beef in two batches to ensure maximum crispiness. Add half the beef, one strip at a time, and spread it out.
5️⃣ Let the beef cook undisturbed for about 5-6 minutes, stirring only 3-4 times. This helps develop a crispy coating.
6️⃣ Once golden and crispy, remove the beef using a slotted spoon and place it on a plate lined with paper towels.
7️⃣ Add 1 more tbsp of oil and fry the second batch, then remove and set aside.
Step 3: Cook the Sauce
8️⃣ In the same pan, add the remaining ½ tbsp of oil and reduce the heat to medium.
9️⃣ Add the sliced onion and cook for 2 minutes until slightly softened.
🔟 Stir in the chopped chilli, minced ginger, and garlic. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4: Combine Everything
1️⃣1️⃣ Pour in the rice vinegar, soy sauce, tomato purée, sugar, ketchup, and sweet chilli sauce. Stir well.
1️⃣2️⃣ Increase the heat and let the sauce bubble for 2 minutes, reducing slightly.
1️⃣3️⃣ Add the crispy beef back into the pan and toss to coat evenly. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until heated through.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
1️⃣4️⃣ Serve immediately with steamed rice, egg-fried rice, or noodles for the perfect meal.
💡 Notes & Tips
📌 Note 1 – Slicing the Steak:
For the best texture, place the steak in the freezer for 30 minutes before slicing. This makes it easier to cut thin strips. Always slice against the grain to keep the beef tender.
📌 Making it Gluten-Free:
Replace dark soy sauce with tamari. Also, check that your tomato purée, ketchup, sweet chilli sauce, and rice vinegar are gluten-free.
📌 Can I Make it Ahead or Freeze It?
This dish is best served fresh for ultimate crispiness