Hunan Beef Recipe (15 Minutes!)

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It’s fast and delicious Hunan Beef Recipe In just 15 minutes and simple ingredients, you can make a quick weeknight dinner that rivals your favorite takeout!service with Asian Cabbage SaladDinner is ready in a blink of an eye.

What is Hunan beef?

Hunan beef is a smoky, spicy stir-fry that pairs stir-fried beef slices with a spicy chili garlic sauce. Although it originated in Hunan Province, China, it is easy to make in your own kitchen.

Having never been to China, I admit I never really had anything. But I did try Hunan style beef at several family run restaurants, some of which claim to be authentic. My recipes are based on these, as well as hours of research into the region’s popular ingredients and spices.

Ingredients and Substitutes

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for Hunan-style beef, the role of each ingredient in the recipe, and substitution options. See recipe card below for measurements.

• Coconut Amino Acids – This is a soy-free soy sauce substitute – feel free to use traditional low-sodium soy sauce.
• Shaoxing cooking wine – The most authentic option for Hunan Beef Sauce, but if you want a grain-free option or can’t find Shaoxing, you can also use sherry instead. While I highly recommend using wine for flavor, beef stock can also be used if you don’t want to use wine in your cooking.
• arrowroot powder – This is my favorite cleaning ingredient cornstarch substitute Used to thicken sauces. You can also substitute a small amount of cornstarch or xanthan gum (see recipe card below).
• flank steak – This dish traditionally uses flank steak. Sirloin steak or skirt steak would be a good substitute.
• Avocado Oil – Or use any neutral high heat cooking oil you like.
• Dried Thai Chili – These add a unique flavor to recipes, but if you can’t find them, try fresh chiles (like Serrano or Fresno), chili paste, or any dried chiles you like (remember, Some may be hotter than others)! ). Thai chilies are quite spicy, so if you don’t want a lot of heat, you can reduce the amount.
• garlic – Since it is one of the main flavors of this dish, I recommend fresh garlic.
• spices – Ground ginger, sea salt and black pepper.

How to make Hunan beef

This section shows how to make Hunan-style beef, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. See the recipe card below for full instructions.

1. piece. Cut the steak as thin as possible, against the grain.

Tip: Freeze beef quickly for slicing.

Put the beef in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to firm up slightly. It would be easier to slice thinly.

2. pickled. In a medium bowl, whisk together coconut aminos, cooking wine and arrowroot powder. Add the beef, stir well and set aside to marinate for 30 minutes.

3. Boil beef. Heat oil in a hot pan over high heat. Add beef and marinade and fry for about 1 minute. (It won’t be cooked yet.)

Tip: Make sure your wok is very hot before adding the beef.

If the wok is not hot enough, the beef will take longer to cook and become tough.

4. season. Add chili, garlic, ginger and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until the beef is cooked through and the sauce has thickened. Season with salt.

5. Serve. I like to garnish the Hunan beef with fresh chives (green onions will work too) and sometimes a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Find more service ideas below.

Hunan Beef vs Szechuan Beef: What’s the Difference?

The main difference between Hunan beef and Sichuan beef (sometimes called Szechuan beef) is the spices, as the two come from different parts of China. Both make heavy use of garlic and chili peppers as their main flavors, but Hunan cuisine (also known as Hunan cuisine) is spicier and less sweet. It’s also a purer spicy flavor with less complexity.

Storage Instructions

• Shop: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
• Reheat: Heat Hunan beef in a hot pan, microwave on low power or in a warm oven until heated through.
• freeze: Cool completely and store in an airtight container (remove as much air as possible). Freeze for up to 6 months, then thaw overnight before reheating.

What to Serve with Hunan Beef Stir-Fry

Hunan beef toppings go perfectly with Asian-style side dishes, rice, and more!

• Meter – Serve with your favorite brown or white rice, Cauliflower Fried Rice (or Cauliflower Fried Rice), or Shirataki Rice.
• vegetable – try this beef fried cabbage, Oven Roasted Broccoli or Fried Broccoli (pictured above), or Garlic Roasted Cabbage. You can also do a blend Vegetable stir fry Serve with bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms and/or even baby corn.
• Noodle – This dish is delicious on the bed Zucchini Noodles, Roasted Spaghetti Squash, Shirataki noodlesor rice noodles.

Easier Asian-inspired recipes

I have a lot Healthy Asian Recipes (and about Keto Chinese Meal if you want to cut down on carbs when eating out)! Also, try these easy Asian-inspired dishes.

Hunan Beef Recipe (15 Minutes!)

This takeaway Hunan beef recipe takes less than 15 minutes to make and uses healthy ingredients! This is a quick and easy weeknight meal.

Prepare: 10 minute

chef: 2 minute

All: 12 minute

Serving Size: 4 (Adjust the scale recipe)

Recipe Videos

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instruct

Tap the time in the instructions below to start the kitchen timer while cooking.

1. Cut the flank steak very thinly, clinging to the grain. (If you have time, you can put it in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes, which makes it stronger and easier to slice. Don’t let it freeze solid. )

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together coconut aminos, cooking wine and arrowroot powder. Add the sliced ​​beef and mix well.set aside for marinating 30 minutes.

3. Heat avocado oil in a pan cauldron overheat.Add beef and stir fry about 1 minute.

4. Add crushed Thai chilies, minced garlic, minced ginger and black pepper.stir fry again 1-2 minutes, until the beef is cooked through and the sauce is thick and glossy. If desired, add sea salt to taste.

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recipe notes

Serving Size: 1/4 lb

NOTE: This recipe is spicy! If you like a little less spice, you may want to reduce the amount of dried Thai chiles from two to one.

nutrient content

Amount per serving. Serving Sizes in Recipe Instructions Above.

Calories 317

fat 21 grams

protein 24 grams

total carbohydrates 6 grams

net carbs 4 grams

fiber 2 grams

sugar 1 g

Nutrition Facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about the calculation or why you get different results?see our nutrition policy.

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