Description
Savory spicy orange beef brings bold Chinese-American flavors to home kitchens with tender strips of marinated meat glazed in zesty citrus sauce. Home cooks can quickly master this restaurant-style dish that delivers complex, satisfying flavor profiles.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 grams) sirloin, cubed or cut into thin strips
- 2 cups (475 milliliters) broccoli florets
- 1 cup (240 grams) brown sugar
- ⅔ cup (80 grams) cornstarch
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) orange juice
- 16 oz (454 grams) coconut oil
- 2 tbsps (30 milliliters) soy sauce
- 2–3 tbsps (30–45 milliliters) chili garlic sauce
- 1 tsp (5 grams) salt
- Zest of 1 orange
- Sticky rice (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Generously season sirloin steak with salt and coat thoroughly with cornstarch, ensuring an even, crispy exterior for optimal caramelization.
- Searing: Heat cast iron skillet on high, adding coconut oil until it shimmers. Strategically place beef strips to develop a rich golden-brown crust, working in batches to prevent overcrowding.
- Sauce Creation: Reduce skillet heat to medium-high, introduce brown sugar and orange juice, whisking vigorously until the liquid transforms into a glossy reduction. Integrate soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, and orange zest, stirring to create a harmonious flavor profile.
- Final Assembly: Return seared beef strips and broccoli florets to the skillet, gently tossing to coat with the vibrant sauce and allow vegetables to reach perfect tenderness.
- Serving: Plate the aromatic spicy orange beef over fluffy sticky rice, creating a dynamic culinary experience that balances sweet, spicy, and savory notes.
Notes
- Maximize Meat Texture: Pat sirloin steak completely dry before seasoning to ensure optimal cornstarch adhesion and achieve maximum crispiness.
- Control Skillet Temperature: Use high heat for initial searing to develop a perfect golden-brown crust, preventing meat from becoming tough or rubbery.
- Batch Cooking Strategy: Cook beef strips in small portions to maintain high skillet temperature and prevent steaming instead of searing.
- Sauce Consistency Tips: Whisk sauce ingredients continuously to prevent burning and create a smooth, glossy coating that clings perfectly to beef and broccoli.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 606
- Sugar: 40 g
- Sodium: 836 mg
- Fat: 44 g
- Saturated Fat: 38 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg