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Panda Express Inspired Beijing Beef
Crisp strips of beef tossed with red bell pepper and onion in a glossy sweet-tangy chile sauce, ready for rice or noodles.
Inspired by Panda Express
Prep
30 min + chill
Cook
20 min
Serves
4 servings
Difficulty
Medium
Cooking Tools
Pantry match
Uses the current servings and temporary recipe changes.
Missing 15 ingredients
- • 1 pound flank steak
- • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- • 1 large egg white
- • 3/4 cup cornstarch
- • Neutral oil for frying
- • 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- • 1 medium yellow onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
- • 1/3 cup ketchup
- • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- • 1 teaspoon chili-garlic sauce
- • 2 cloves garlic, minced
- • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
View ingredient-by-ingredient match
- 1 pound flank steakMissing
- 1 tablespoon soy sauceMissing
- 1 large egg whiteMissing
- 3/4 cup cornstarchMissing
- Neutral oil for fryingMissing
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch piecesMissing
- 1 medium yellow onion, cut into 1-inch piecesMissing
- 1/3 cup ketchupMissing
- 1/4 cup granulated sugarMissing
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegarMissing
- 1 tablespoon soy sauceMissing
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauceMissing
- 1 teaspoon chili-garlic sauceMissing
- 2 cloves garlic, mincedMissing
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh gingerMissing
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Method
Recipe notes
Thin cross-grain slicing keeps flank steak tender, while chilling the egg-white coating helps cornstarch cling. The finished sauce should be reduced before the beef returns so the crust stays crisp instead of soaking in liquid.
Planning, storage, and serving
Storage and reheating
Refrigerate cooled beef and vegetables within 2 hours for up to 3 days. Reheat in a hot skillet; the coating will soften, so leftovers are best served over rice rather than expected to stay crisp.
Make-ahead tips
Slice and marinate beef for up to 4 hours, cut vegetables, and mix sauce 1 day ahead. Coat and fry the beef only when ready to finish the dish.
What to serve with it
- - Steamed jasmine rice
- - Panda Express Inspired Chow Mein
- - Garlic-steamed broccoli
Equipment needed
- - Wok or large skillet
- - Heavy pot and frying thermometer
- - Wire rack and sheet pan
Difficulty explained
The recipe requires thin slicing, controlled frying, and a fast final toss so the crisp coating survives the sauce.
Recipe calculator
Nutrition facts
Updating nutrition…
Alternatives
Apply a reviewed substitution to this temporary working copy. The published recipe stays unchanged.
Browse reviewed options
Tamari
Use tamari in the same amount for a similar savory profile.
Sirloin steak
Use the same weight of sirloin sliced thinly across the grain.
Arrowroot starch
Use an equal amount of arrowroot starch for thickening or crisp coatings.
Type the ingredient you're missing — we'll find what you can use instead.
Pitfalls to Watch Out For
- Thick or with-grain slices remain chewy even after frying.
- Crowding the oil drops its temperature and makes the cornstarch coating greasy.
- Letting coated beef sit in sauce before serving removes the crisp texture.
Nutrition Context
- Beef supplies protein, while the fried coating and sweet sauce contribute much of the fat and carbohydrate.
- Serving a moderate portion with extra bell pepper and steamed vegetables balances the rich, sweet-tangy entree.
FAQ
Why is my beef not crispy?
Dry coating, 350 F oil, and small batches are essential. Also reduce the sauce before tossing and serve immediately.
Can I make this without deep-frying?
Air-frying or shallow pan-frying works, but the coating will be less even and should still be tossed with sauce at the last moment.
How spicy is the sauce?
One teaspoon chili-garlic sauce adds mild heat. Increase it gradually without changing the vinegar-sugar balance.
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Sirloin works well. Whatever the cut, slice thinly across the grain for tenderness.
Can I make it ahead?
Prepare every component ahead, but fry and sauce the beef just before serving for the best texture.
What sides pair best with this dish?
Good pairings include Steamed jasmine rice; Panda Express Inspired Chow Mein; Garlic-steamed broccoli. Choose one or two based on how substantial you want the meal to be.