Crackling Orange Beef Recipe: Zesty Kitchen Magic

Sizzling hot woks and tantalizing aromas fill the kitchen when you cook this irresistible crispy orange beef recipe that captures the essence of Chinese-American cuisine.

Bold flavors dance across your palate with each perfectly crisp bite.

Tender beef strips get coated in a vibrant, zesty orange sauce that balances sweetness and spice.

The golden-brown exterior crackles with each forkful, promising a restaurant-quality meal right at home.

Quick and simple ingredients come together to create a dish that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Spice up your dinner routine and savor every delectable moment of this mouthwatering culinary adventure.

Tools That Help You Cook Orange Beef Right

• Wok or Large Frying Pan: Essential for high-heat cooking and achieving crispy beef.
• Cutting Board: Prepare beef, red pepper, and onion with ease.
• Sharp Knife: Slice ingredients precisely and quickly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurately measure sauce ingredients.
• Mixing Bowl: Coat beef with cornflour and seasonings.
• Wooden Spoon or Tongs: Stir and flip beef while cooking.
• Small Bowl: Mix cornflour slurry for optional sauce thickening.
• Grater: Zest fresh orange for vibrant flavor.

Step-by-Step Guide to Crispy Orange Beef

• Beef Preparation

Dry the beef thoroughly, creating a perfect surface for crispy coating.

• Flavor Coating

Blend cornflour with seasonings to create a delicate, even layer on the meat.

• Sizzling Transformation

Flash-fry beef in hot oil until edges turn golden and crisp, developing deep caramelized notes.

• Vegetable Dance

Quickly sauté peppers and onions, bringing vibrant colors and crunchy textures to the dish.

• Zesty Sauce Creation

Combine citrusy orange elements with savory condiments, creating a tangy, complex liquid that will elevate the entire meal.

• Final Fusion

Reunite crispy beef with aromatic sauce, allowing flavors to meld and intensify for a quick, harmonious finish.

• Elegant Presentation

Plate over fluffy rice, sprinkling fresh green onions for a bright, fresh accent that cuts through the rich flavors.

How to Get the Crispiest, Juiciest Result

• Gently pound the beef with a meat mallet before coating to ensure extra tenderness and even cooking.
• Maintain high heat around 375°F for achieving perfect crispy exterior without burning the beef, using a kitchen thermometer for precision.
• Shake excess cornflour in a mesh strainer for an ultra-light, even coating that creates maximum crispiness on the beef.
• Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to increase heat, or reduce/eliminate spicy elements for a milder orange beef experience.
• Swap beef with chicken, tofu, or shrimp for different dietary preferences while maintaining the same delicious orange sauce profile.

Pairing Orange Beef with Sides

• Pair with Steamed Rice: Fluffy white rice perfectly balances the crispy, tangy beef, soaking up the delicious orange sauce and creating a complete meal.
• Sprinkle Fresh Greens: Top with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for a burst of color, added crunch, and fresh flavor contrast.
• Create a Balanced Plate: Add a side of stir-fried vegetables like broccoli or bok choy to complement the rich, zesty beef and boost nutritional value.
• Enhance with Garnish: Scatter thinly sliced red chili or a drizzle of chili oil for those who enjoy an extra kick of heat and complexity.

Keeping Orange Beef Tasty After Cooking

• Quick Refrigerate: Store leftover crispy orange beef in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the rice separate to maintain the beef's original crispiness.
• Revive Leftovers: Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat to restore crunchiness. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent soggy texture and maintain the beef's delightful crisp.
• Freeze Smart: Carefully pack the beef and sauce in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare the sauce and chop vegetables in advance. Keep uncooked beef separately wrapped to maximize freshness. Combine ingredients just before cooking for the most vibrant flavors and perfect crispy texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 5

Crispy Orange Beef Ingredient Breakdown

• Beef: Choose tender cut with marbling for juicy, succulent texture; slice against the grain for maximum tenderness.
• Cornflour: Provides crispy coating and helps seal in beef's natural juices; ensures golden, crunchy exterior.

• Orange Zest, Orange Juice: Brings bright, citrusy punch; select ripe, fragrant oranges for intense flavor.
• Soy Sauce: Adds deep umami complexity; opt for high-quality, traditionally brewed varieties.
• Garlic, Ginger: Essential aromatic base; use fresh for most vibrant, zesty taste.
• Sugar: Balances tangy citrus and savory elements; helps create glossy sauce.
• Vinegar: Adds subtle tang and helps tenderize meat.

• Red Pepper, Onion: Provides crunch and sweet undertones; choose crisp, colorful vegetables.
• Spring Onions: Fresh garnish that adds sharp, green brightness; chop finely for delicate finish.
• Rice: Perfect neutral base to soak up rich, flavorful sauce; choose medium-grain for ideal texture.

Tantalizing Orange Beef Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Crispy orange beef delivers a tantalizing Chinese-American classic with zesty citrus notes and crunchy meat. Juicy strips of beef shine when coated in a glossy, sweet-tangy sauce that you’ll savor with steamed rice.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 120 ml (½ cup) orange juice
• 5 tbsps soy sauce
• 3 tbsps caster sugar
• 2 tbsps cornflour (cornstarch)
• 500 g (1.1 lbs) beef steak, chopped into strips
• 3 tbsps oil
• 1 red pepper, sliced
• 1 large onion, peeled and sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 1 tsp rice vinegar
• Zest of half an orange
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper
• 1 tbsp cornflour mixed with 3 tbsps cold water
• Boiled rice
• 4 spring onions (scallions), chopped on the diagonal

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Instructions

1. Beef Preparation: Thoroughly blot beef with paper towels to guarantee maximum crispness, preventing moisture retention.
2. Coating Process: Uniformly coat beef with cornstarch, kosher salt, and black pepper, ensuring complete and even coverage.
3. Oil Heating: Heat vegetable or peanut oil in a large wok until shimmering and nearly smoking at 375°F/190°C, creating an ideal searing environment.
4. Searing Stage: Strategically place coated beef pieces into scalding oil, allowing undisturbed searing to develop a golden-brown crust for 4-5 minutes.
5. Draining Technique: Transfer crispy beef to a wire rack or paper towel-lined surface, eliminating excess oil while preserving crunchiness.
6. Vegetable Sautéing: Quickly char red bell peppers and onions in the same oil, maintaining a slight crispness and developing intense flavor profiles.
7. Sauce Creation: Whisk together orange zest, orange juice, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, rice vinegar, and ginger to craft a vibrant, multi-dimensional sauce.
8. Sauce Reduction: Boil sauce mixture rapidly, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 60-90 seconds to concentrate and meld flavors intensely.
9. Final Assembly: Gently fold crispy beef into the sauce, ensuring complete coating and thorough warming for optimal taste integration.
10. Plating Finale: Serve over jasmine or basmati rice, garnishing with delicate green onion slices for a fresh, aromatic presentation.

Notes

• Dry Beef Thoroughly: Removing excess moisture is crucial for achieving that coveted crispy exterior, preventing soggy and steamed meat.
• Oil Temperature Matters: Maintain high heat around 375°F to create perfect golden-brown crust without burning the beef’s delicate coating.
• Quick Sauce Technique: Rapidly boil then immediately reduce sauce to concentrate flavors and prevent diluting the vibrant orange essence.
• Cornstarch Slurry Secret: Use cold water when mixing cornstarch to avoid lumps and ensure smooth sauce thickening without clumping.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg