Description
A flavorful and crispy deep-fried Asian-style beef dish that’s ready in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lb beef (sirloin, flank steak, or more economical cuts like round roast or chuck)
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt (divided)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (divided)
- 1/4 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 cup corn starch
- 2 egg whites (can sub with 1 whole egg with 1 tablespoon water)
- Vegetable oil for deep frying
Instructions
- Prepare the beef: Thinly slice the beef into bite-sized pieces against the grain. In a large bowl, marinate beef strips with salt (1/2 teaspoon), ground black pepper (1/4 teaspoon), Chinese five-spice powder, and baking soda for at least 10 minutes.
- Make batter: In a separate bowl, beat egg whites and corn starch until there are no longer clumps. Add egg white mixture to the marinated beef. Gently toss until evenly coated.
- Deep-fry the beef in two batches at 375°F for about 2 minutes per batch, or until golden brown and crispy. To prevent the pieces from sticking together, carefully add the beef strips to the hot oil one at a time. Transfer the fried beef to a wire rack or a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
- Finish: Add cooked beef to a large mixing bowl and toss evenly with remaining salt (1/4 teaspoon) and pepper (1/4 teaspoon). Serve immediately for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian, Chinese, Vietnamese