Stir-fried Beef with Chili Peppers is the ultimate rice-killer from Hunan cuisine. The beef is tender and juicy, paired with the bold heat of fresh and pickled chilies. With cilantro and celery adding freshness, every bite is spicy, savory, and absolutely irresistible with steamed rice.
🌴 Ingredients:
· 300g beef (sliced thinly against the grain)
· 5-6 small spicy chilies (sliced)
· 3-4 pickled chilies (sliced, the soul of the dish)
· 2 stalks celery (cut into segments)
· 1 small bunch cilantro (cut into segments)
🌴 Aromatics:
· 4-5 cloves minced garlic
· A small piece of minced ginger
· 1 tbsp cornstarch (for marinating)
🌴 Seasonings:
· 2 tbsp light soy sauce (about 20ml)
· 1 tbsp oyster sauce (about 10ml)
· 1 tbsp cooking wine (about 10ml, for marinating)
· A pinch of sugar (to enhance flavor)
· A pinch of white pepper powder
· Cooking oil, as needed
🌴 Instructions:
- Marinate the Beef
Combine the beef slices with 1 tbsp of light soy sauce, 1 tbsp of cooking wine, a pinch of white pepper, and 1 tbsp of cornstarch. Mix well, then add 1 tbsp of cooking oil to lock in the moisture. Marinate for 15 minutes. ⚠️ Note: Never skip the oil; it’s the key to tender beef that doesn’t stick to the pan. I’ve tried it without oil, and the beef turned out tough and clumped together. - Stir-fry the Beef
Heat oil in a pan. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry over high heat until it changes color. Remove immediately. ⚠️ Note: Never overcook the beef; remove it as soon as it changes color. - Stir-fry the Aromatics
Add a little oil to the pan, then add the minced garlic, ginger, fresh chilies, and pickled chilies. Stir-fry over low heat until fragrant. ⚠️ Note: Pickled chilies are the soul of Hunan cuisine; don’t skip them. - Combine and Serve
Turn to high heat, add the beef, celery, and cilantro. Add the light soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a pinch of sugar. Stir-fry quickly to combine, and serve. ⚠️ Note: Be quick to keep the beef tender and the celery crisp.
💡 More Spicy and Tender Beef Dishes:
If you enjoy this stir-fried beef with chili peppers, you should also try my [Sichuan Boiled Beef] for another incredibly flavorful and satisfying dish.
Want to explore more? Check out my full [Home-style Dishes] category!
💡 Tips:
The key to this dish is “tender beef, spicy and savory flavor.” Slice the beef against the grain and marinate with cornstarch and oil for tenderness. Stir-fry over high heat, and remove the beef as soon as it changes color. Don’t skip the pickled chilies and cilantro.
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