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Close-up of a white plate filled with delicious crispy Ginger Beef stir-fry, featuring glossy beef strips, green beans, and red peppers.
Maryam

Crispy Sweet & Spicy Ginger Beef

This classic Ginger Beef recipe features tender strips of beef, coated and fried until perfectly crispy, then tossed in a vibrant, sweet, and tangy ginger-garlic sauce. A delightful balance of flavors and textures, perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese

Ingredients
  

For the Beef & Marinade
  • 1 lb flank steak thinly sliced against the grain
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce low sodium
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda (tenderizes beef)
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For the Coating
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp white pepper
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 1/2 cup water cold, (or as needed)
For the Ginger-Garlic Sauce
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce low sodium
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp mirin (or dry sherry)
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tbsp ginger fresh, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
For Frying & Garnish
  • 3-4 cups vegetable oil or canola oil, for deep frying
  • 1 tbsp ginger fresh, julienned, (for garnish)
  • 2 green onions thinly sliced, (for garnish)
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds toasted, (for garnish)

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Shallow Dish
  • Wok or Large Skillet
  • Tongs
  • Wire Rack
  • Saucepan

Method
 

Prepare the Beef & Marinade
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the thinly sliced flank steak with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, baking soda, and black pepper. Toss well to ensure all beef is coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
Make the Ginger-Garlic Sauce
  1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, granulated sugar, honey, mirin, cornstarch, and 1/2 cup water until smooth. Add the minced ginger and garlic. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and comes to a gentle boil (about 3-5 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in the sesame oil. Set aside.
Prepare the Coating
  1. In a shallow dish, whisk together cornstarch, all-purpose flour, salt, and white pepper. In another shallow dish, whisk the egg with 1/2 cup cold water.
Coat and Fry the Beef
  1. Heat 3-4 cups of vegetable oil in a wok or large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat to 350-375°F (175-190°C).
  2. Working in batches, dip each strip of marinated beef first into the egg wash, ensuring it's fully coated, then dredge it thoroughly in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Carefully place coated beef strips into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan.
  3. Fry for 2-3 minutes per batch, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Remove fried beef with tongs or a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack set over paper towels to drain excess oil. Keep warm while you fry the remaining batches.
Combine and Serve
  1. Once all beef is fried, add the crispy beef to the saucepan with the prepared ginger-garlic sauce. Toss gently to coat all the beef evenly.
  2. Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles, garnished with fresh julienned ginger, sliced green onions, and toasted sesame seeds.

Notes

For extra crispiness, you can double-fry the beef: Fry once until lightly golden, remove and let rest for a few minutes, then fry again for 1-2 minutes until deeply golden and extra crispy. The sauce can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before combining with the beef. Adjust the amount of sugar/honey to your preferred sweetness level. For more heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.