Name: Chinese Crispy Shredded Chilli Beef with Sweet Chilli Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 6 tablespoon soy sauce; 2 tablespoon rice or apple cider vinegar; 4 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce; 4 tablespoon sugar; 1 egg; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; ½ teaspoon white pepper; 80 g (⅔ cup) cornflour/cornstarch; 400 g (14 oz) sirloin steak, sliced thinly into 0.5 cm / ¼ inch pieces; neutral oil for frying (around 1 cm / ¼ inch deep in pan); 1 medium onion, sliced; 4 g (2 teaspoon) ginger, grated; 2 garlic cloves, crushed; 2 red chillis, finely chopped; toasted sesame seeds; finely chopped spring onions/scallions

Jump to Recipe· 4.3 from 30 reviews

If you’ve ever craved that perfect balance of spice, sweetness, and crunch from your favorite takeaway, you’re going to love this Chinese Crispy Shredded Chilli Beef with Sweet Chilli Sauce Recipe. It’s an incredibly flavorful dish where tender sirloin steak is shredded, lightly battered, and fried to golden perfection before being tossed in a sticky, spicy, and sweet chilli sauce that will have your taste buds dancing. Plus, making it yourself at home means you skip the wait and control the heat and sweetness exactly to your liking. Let’s dive into this mouthwatering adventure!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows several ingredients neatly arranged on a white marbled surface. There is one layer of thin strips of raw red steak on a white bowl at the top left. Around it, there are whole and small items including a brown onion, a piece of ginger root, and three pieces of garlic cloves grouped near the top right. Small white bowls contain white pepper powder, rice vinegar, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and cornflour or cornstarch, each with distinct colors and textures, ranging from bright orange-red sweet chili sauce to dark brown soy sauce and white powders. Below these bowls, two bright red chilies lie next to a small white bowl of tan sesame seeds. To the right, a single whole brown egg sits near two long green spring onions or scallions. The items are spread out in an organized fashion with clear space between them and each item is labeled with black text. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

These ingredients are simple yet crucial for building layers of bold flavors and textures that turn this dish from everyday beef stir-fry into a showstopper. Each one plays a unique role, whether it’s crispiness, heat, or that unmistakable sweet chilli tang.

6 tablespoon soy sauce: Adds savory depth and balances the sweetness beautifully.
2 tablespoon rice or apple cider vinegar: Brings a touch of acidity to brighten the sauce.
4 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce: The star ingredient that delivers sticky, sweet, and spicy goodness.
4 tablespoon sugar: Enhances the sweet notes and helps caramelize the sauce.
1 egg: Binds the beef pieces and helps coat them evenly for frying.
½ teaspoon white pepper: Adds subtle heat without overpowering the dish.
80 g (⅔ cup) cornflour/cornstarch: Crucial for that irresistible crispy texture on the beef.
400 g sirloin steak, thinly sliced: Tender, flavorful beef that’s perfect for quick frying.
Neutral oil for frying: A light oil with a high smoke point keeps the beef perfectly crispy.
1 medium onion, sliced: Adds sweetness and texture to the stir-fry base.
4 g (2 teaspoon) grated ginger: Infuses a zesty warmth to the aromatic mix.
2 garlic cloves, crushed: Boosts that signature Chinese flavor punch.
2 red chillis, finely chopped: Kicks up the heat and adds vibrant color.
Toasted sesame seeds (optional): Adds nuttiness and a beautiful finish.
Finely chopped spring onions/scallions (optional): For freshness and an extra pop of green.

How to Make Chinese Crispy Shredded Chilli Beef with Sweet Chilli Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Chilli Sauce

Start by mixing the soy sauce, vinegar, sweet chilli sauce, and sugar in a small jug or bowl. This sauce is the magical glue that brings together the sweet heat and umami flavors that make this dish unforgettable.

Step 2: Coat the Beef

Whisk the egg with a tablespoon of soy sauce in one bowl. In another, combine the cornflour and white pepper. Dip each thin slice of sirloin into the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the cornflour to coat every piece with a delicate, crisping layer.

Step 3: Fry the Beef Until Crispy

Heat about 1cm of neutral oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat until it’s hot and shimmering. Fry the beef pieces in batches for 1-2 minutes on each side until they’re golden and crisp. Avoid overcrowding the pan so each piece fries perfectly. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Step 4: Sauté the Aromatics

Discard excess oil, leaving roughly a tablespoon in the pan. Toss in the sliced onions and cook until translucent, then add the chopped chillis, garlic, and grated ginger. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas.

Step 5: Combine with the Sauce and Beef

Pour the prepared sauce into the pan and let it bubble and reduce on high heat for a few seconds. Then, return the crispy beef to the wok and toss everything together quickly, coating the beef pieces evenly in that sticky, spicy, sweet chilli glaze. The crispy texture combines beautifully with the sauce for the perfect bite.

How to Serve Chinese Crispy Shredded Chilli Beef with Sweet Chilli Sauce Recipe

A white bowl lined with white paper towels holds a stack of long, thin fried strips that are golden brown with some white flour patches and a rough texture. Around the bowl, there are three small white bowls: one filled with chopped red chili and minced ginger, another with sliced white onions, and a third with dark soy sauce and a spoon inside. The whole scene is set on a white marbled textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped spring onions on top for a lovely crunch and a burst of freshness. These subtle additions elevate the dish both in flavor and presentation, making it look just as fantastic as it tastes.

Side Dishes

This beef pairs amazingly with steamed jasmine rice or fragrant egg fried rice to soak up every bit of the luscious sweet chilli sauce. For a healthier option, complement it with stir-fried greens like bok choy or broccoli tossed in a little garlic and soy. The crisp veggies balance the richness beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve the shredded chilli beef stuffed inside warm bao buns or lettuce cups for a hand-held delight. You can also toss it over a crunchy Asian-style salad with shredded cabbage and carrots for a lighter, refreshing spin. The flexibility of this recipe means you can get really creative at the table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Transfer any leftover beef and sauce into an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 2 days without losing much of its crispy texture if reheated carefully.

Freezing

This Chinese Crispy Shredded Chilli Beef with Sweet Chilli Sauce Recipe is best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze the cooked beef and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 1 month. Thaw completely in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To keep the beef crispy when reheating, warm it gently in a preheated oven or a dry frying pan over medium heat until heated through. Avoid microwaving if you want to preserve that signature crispy bite.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Yes! While sirloin works great because of its tenderness and quick cooking time, flank steak or ribeye can also be thinly sliced and used. Just adjust cooking times accordingly to avoid overcooking.

Is the dish very spicy?

The heat level mainly depends on the amount and type of chillis used plus the sweet chilli sauce’s spiciness. You can reduce or increase the number of red chillis or choose milder or hotter sauces based on your preference.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely. Use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce substitute and check that your sweet chilli sauce is gluten-free. Cornflour is naturally gluten-free, so the crispy coating stays safe.

What can I substitute for sweet chilli sauce?

If you don’t have sweet chilli sauce on hand, you can mix honey or maple syrup with a touch of chilli flakes and rice vinegar to get a similar sweet and spicy flavor, though the texture won’t be quite the same.

Can this recipe be made vegetarian or vegan?

To make a vegan version, substitute the beef with thinly sliced mushrooms or tofu and replace the egg with a plant-based binder like aquafaba or a cornstarch slurry. Use vegan-friendly soy and sweet chilli sauces too.

Final Thoughts

This Chinese Crispy Shredded Chilli Beef with Sweet Chilli Sauce Recipe is an absolute joy to make and even more delightful to eat. It’s the perfect blend of spicy, sweet, and crispy that brings a bit of that takeaway magic right into your own kitchen. I encourage you to try this recipe—you’ll be amazed at how achievable restaurant-quality Chinese food can be at home, and it’s sure to become a fast favorite for busy weeknights or sharing with friends!