Crispy Sweet and Sour Beef Bites
Crispy Sweet and Sour Beef Bites
Ingredients
For the Crispy Beef
- 1 1/2 pounds beef sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying, or as needed
For the Sweet and Sour Sauce
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
For the Stir-Fry
- 1 bell pepper, any color, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the beef: In a medium bowl, toss the beef cubes with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce until evenly coated. Add the 1/4 cup of cornstarch and toss again until each piece of beef is lightly dusted.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Prepare the sweet and sour sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, rice vinegar, granulated sugar, ketchup, and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. In a separate very small bowl, whisk together the 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Set both aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Fry the beef: Heat the 2 cups of vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat to 350°F. Carefully add the beef in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 3-4 minutes per batch, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack set over a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain. Repeat with remaining beef.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 350
- 4
Sauté the vegetables: Discard all but 1 tablespoon of the frying oil from the pot (or use a clean wok/large skillet). Heat the 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the bell pepper and red onion and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until slightly tender-crisp. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger and stir-fry for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Combine and finish: Pour the prepared sweet and sour sauce into the pot with the vegetables. Bring to a simmer, then slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes. Add the crispy beef bites to the sauce and toss gently to coat.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired. Best served with steamed rice.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Crispy Sweet and Sour Beef Bites
For the Crispy Beef
- 1 1/2 pounds beef sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying, or as needed
For the Sweet and Sour Sauce
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
For the Stir-Fry
- 1 bell pepper, any color, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the beef: In a medium bowl, toss the beef cubes with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce until evenly coated. Add the 1/4 cup of cornstarch and toss again until each piece of beef is lightly dusted.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Prepare the sweet and sour sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, rice vinegar, granulated sugar, ketchup, and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. In a separate very small bowl, whisk together the 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Set both aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Fry the beef: Heat the 2 cups of vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat to 350°F. Carefully add the beef in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 3-4 minutes per batch, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack set over a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain. Repeat with remaining beef.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 350 - 4
Sauté the vegetables: Discard all but 1 tablespoon of the frying oil from the pot (or use a clean wok/large skillet). Heat the 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the bell pepper and red onion and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until slightly tender-crisp. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger and stir-fry for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Combine and finish: Pour the prepared sweet and sour sauce into the pot with the vegetables. Bring to a simmer, then slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes. Add the crispy beef bites to the sauce and toss gently to coat.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired. Best served with steamed rice.