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# Simple & Fast Chinese-Style Tender Beef: A Delicious, Easy-to-Make Recipe
Chinese cuisine is known for its rich flavors, diverse textures, and the perfect balance of sweet, salty, sour, and umami. One dish that has become a staple in many households, both in China and abroad, is **Chinese-style beef**. This recipe is particularly loved for its **tenderness**, **flavorful sauce**, and the **quick cooking method** that makes it perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
In this article, we’ll guide you through a **simple and fast Chinese-style tender beef recipe** that you can prepare in no time, using readily available ingredients. Whether you’re an experienced cook or a beginner, this recipe will become one of your go-to dishes for impressing friends and family with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
We’ll also break down the ingredients, techniques, and tips that will help you create perfectly tender beef, and offer variations you can try based on your personal preferences.
Let’s dive into this easy-to-make yet incredibly tasty recipe!
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## The Secret to Tender Chinese-Style Beef
One of the challenges of cooking beef is achieving the **right level of tenderness**. Whether you’re working with tougher cuts of meat or just want to ensure your beef comes out soft and juicy, a little technique can go a long way.
Chinese-style beef dishes are typically cooked in a way that makes the meat tender and flavorful without taking hours. The key to achieving tender beef is a process called **velveting**. Velveting is a Chinese cooking technique that involves marinating the beef in a mixture of cornstarch, egg whites, and a small amount of oil. This forms a protective coating around the meat, which locks in moisture and prevents the beef from becoming tough during cooking.
### What Makes This Recipe “Chinese-Style” Beef?
Chinese-style beef is often prepared in a wok, which allows for high-heat, fast cooking, and helps seal in the beef’s juices. The use of sauces such as **soy sauce**, **oyster sauce**, and **hoisin sauce** gives the beef its savory, rich flavor. Additionally, Chinese-style beef is often paired with vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, and green onions, to add texture and balance to the dish.
Now, let’s take a look at how to make this **simple & fast Chinese-style tender beef** at home.
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## Ingredients
For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
### For the Beef:
– **1 lb (450g) flank steak or sirloin steak** – You can also use ribeye, but flank steak is often preferred for its tenderness and ability to absorb the flavors of the marinade.
– **1 tablespoon cornstarch** – This helps in the velveting process to keep the beef tender and moist.
– **1 egg white** – The egg white helps create a coating around the beef, contributing to its tenderness.
– **1 tablespoon soy sauce** – Adds saltiness and umami flavor.
– **1 teaspoon rice wine or dry sherry** – Rice wine adds depth of flavor, but you can substitute it with dry sherry if you prefer.
### For the Sauce:
– **2 tablespoons soy sauce** – The backbone of the sauce’s saltiness.
– **2 tablespoons oyster sauce** – This rich, savory sauce adds a deep umami flavor.
– **1 tablespoon hoisin sauce** – This adds a slightly sweet and tangy depth to the sauce.
– **1 tablespoon sugar** – Balances the saltiness and adds a hint of sweetness.
– **1 teaspoon sesame oil** – Adds an aromatic, nutty flavor to the sauce.
– **1 teaspoon rice vinegar** – A touch of acidity to balance the flavors.
– **1/4 cup water or beef broth** – To thin the sauce and add moisture.
– **1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water** – To thicken the sauce at the end.
### For the Stir-Fry:
– **2 tablespoons vegetable oil** – For stir-frying.
– **1 onion** – Sliced thinly.
– **1 red bell pepper** – Sliced thinly (you can also use green or yellow bell peppers).
– **2 cloves garlic** – Minced for added flavor.
– **2-3 green onions** – Sliced, for garnish.
– **Optional vegetables**: mushrooms, baby corn, snow peas, or broccoli can also be added for extra color and texture.
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## Instructions
### Step 1: Prepare the Beef
To achieve tender beef, start by slicing the beef against the grain. This ensures that the muscle fibers are cut short, which will make the meat tender after cooking.
1. **Slice the Beef**: Use a sharp knife to slice the beef into thin strips, about 1/4 inch thick. If the beef is too thick, it can become tough and chewy during stir-frying. You can freeze the beef for 20–30 minutes to make it easier to slice.
2. **Velvet the Beef**: In a small bowl, combine the sliced beef with **1 tablespoon cornstarch**, **1 egg white**, **1 tablespoon soy sauce**, and **1 teaspoon rice wine**. Stir well to coat the beef and set it aside to marinate for about 15-20 minutes. The cornstarch and egg white create a protective coating that will keep the beef tender during cooking.
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