Sweet ‘n Spicy Chinese Orange Beef (50 Minutes)

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When you’re craving that perfect mix of sweet, spicy, and savory, Chinese orange beef can be your go-to. Think tender beef strips, breaded and fried to perfection, then coated in a zesty orange sauce and accompanied by the sweetness of carrots and the kick of chiles. This dish not only delivers an explosion of flavors but also brings together textures that make every bite memorable.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 lb beef flank steak, cut into strips
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch, for dredging
  • 1 cup vegetable oil, for frying
  • 2 medium carrots, julienned
  • 2–3 red chiles, deseeded and sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • Green onions, for garnish
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prep Beef (10 minutes): Season beef strips with salt and pepper. Dredge each strip in cornstarch, shaking off any excess.
  2. Fry Beef (10 minutes): In a large skillet or wok, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, fry beef strips in batches until golden and crispy. Set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
  3. Prepare the Sauce (5 minutes): In a mixing bowl, combine orange zest, orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and sesame oil. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved.
  4. Cook Vegetables (5 minutes): In the same skillet, after removing excess oil, sauté garlic, chiles, and julienned carrots for 3-4 minutes or until slightly tender.
  5. Combine and Simmer (5 minutes): Return the beef to the skillet. Pour the sauce over the beef and vegetables, and stir well. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
  6. Serve (2 minutes): Garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Best served with steamed rice.

Notes

Chinese orange beef offers that perfect balance of flavors – the sweetness of the orange sauce is complemented by the slight bitterness of the chiles and the savoriness of the beef. When plating this dish, consider adding a side of steamed broccoli or snap peas for an added layer of freshness and crunch. And if you’re looking to dial up or down the heat, simply adjust the number of chiles to your preference. The next time you have that takeout craving, remember this recipe; you might just find the homemade version even more satisfying!

*Please keep in mind that the following nutritional information is based on estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.heresyourdinner.com/sweet-n-spicy-chinese-orange-beef-50-minutes/