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Food & Receipts

“The Secret to Tender Stir-Fry Beef: Top Chef’s 3 Golden Rules for Perfect Restaurant-Style Results”

6 October, 2024

Unlike chicken or pork, beef can easily turn out tough and chewy if not prepared properly. In this article, Bếp Eva will share three secrets to making tender and flavorful beef dishes, whether you’re serving it with rice or as a beer snack.

Cutting the Meat

The way you cut the meat directly impacts the taste of the dish. Since beef has relatively thick muscle fibers and is quite tough, it’s important to cut it across the grain as thinly as possible. Avoid thick slices, as they can affect the doneness of the meat and create a less-than-pleasant dining experience.

Marinating the Meat

To ensure your beef is tender and flavorful when stir-fried, don’t skip the marination process. Marinate the beef with finely chopped or pureed ginger and onion. Add some oyster sauce and soy sauce to the mix. Finally, incorporate egg white, cornstarch, and oil, stirring everything together. Let the meat absorb the flavors for about 30 minutes.

Note: Avoid using cooking wine in your beef marinade, as it can make the meat mushy and dry when cooked.

Stir-Frying the Meat

The final and most crucial step in determining the tastiness of your dish is stir-frying. Remember to heat your wok or pan until it’s scorching hot before adding oil. Then, toss in your marinated beef and stir-fry evenly.

During the stir-frying process, work quickly to ensure the meat cooks evenly. Keep an eye on the meat, and as soon as it changes color, it’s ready.

Check out the simple recipe for stir-fried beef with celery below.

Stir-Fried Beef with Celery Recipe

Ingredients

– Celery: 150g

– Beef: 200g

– Egg white: 1

– Black pepper

– Garlic cloves: 2

– Salt

– Cooking oil

– Red chili peppers: 3

– Ginger: 1 knob

– Water

– Soy sauce: 2 tablespoons

– Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

– Rinse the beef and cut it into bite-sized pieces. For the most tender results, choose beef tenderloin and cut across the grain.

– Wash the celery and cut it into 2-3 cm pieces.

– Slice the chili peppers diagonally. Finely chop the ginger and garlic.

Step 2: Marinate the Beef

– In a bowl, combine the beef with 1 egg white, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, a little water, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. Mix well and let it marinate for about 30 minutes.

Step 3: Stir-Fry the Beef

– Heat a wok or a pan over high heat and add a little cooking oil.

– When the oil is about 60% hot, add the marinated beef and stir-fry until the color changes. Then, remove the beef from the wok and set it aside.

Step 4: Stir-Fry the Celery

– Add a little more oil to the same wok and toss in the chopped ginger and garlic. Stir-fry until fragrant, then add the chili peppers and continue stir-frying.

– Once the chilies are cooked, add the celery and stir-fry on high heat. Season with a pinch of salt or MSG to taste. Celery cooks quickly, so be careful not to overcook it, as it will lose its vibrant green color.

Step 5: Finish the Dish

– Return the stir-fried beef to the wok and mix it with the celery.

– Add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and some seasoning powder to complete the dish.

Serve the stir-fried beef and celery hot. The beef should be tender and juicy, while the celery retains a pleasant crunch. The chili peppers add a nice kick to the dish.