Quick & Zesty Crispy Orange Beef Recipe That’s Sure to Impress

Orange beef represents a tantalizing culinary experience that blends sweet, savory, and zesty flavors into a mouthwatering dish.

Bold Asian-inspired seasonings upgrade simple protein into an extraordinary meal that captivates taste buds.

Crisp meat coated in glossy, vibrant sauce creates a textural symphony that delights diners.

The harmonious balance between caramelized citrus notes and rich umami undertones makes this recipe irresistible.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate the complex yet approachable nature of this classic preparation.

Succulent slices bathed in a luxurious sauce promise a dining adventure that transcends ordinary weeknight meals.

You’ll find yourself craving these robust, intensely flavored bites that marry technique with bold ingredients.

What Makes Crispy Orange Beef Bold and Flavorful

• Unlock Crispy Texture Magic: The clever cornflour coating transforms ordinary beef into an irresistibly crunchy delight, creating a satisfying exterior that crackles with every bite.
• Flavor Explosion in Minutes: Quick-cooking technique delivers restaurant-quality taste in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknight dinners when you crave something extraordinary.
• Balanced Citrus Punch: Bright orange zest and juice blend seamlessly with savory soy sauce, creating a vibrant sauce that dances between sweet, tangy, and umami flavor profiles.
• One-Pan Wonder Convenience: Minimal dishes, maximum flavor – this recipe uses a single wok or pan, making cleanup a breeze while delivering a stunning meal that looks like it took hours to prepare.

Ingredients for Crispy Orange Beef

• Beef: Tender cut with good marbling for crispy texture, best when pat dry before cooking.

• Cornflour, Salt, Pepper: Creates a crispy exterior, helps beef brown evenly and lock in moisture.

• Orange Zest, Orange Juice: Provides bright citrus flavor and natural sweetness.
• Soy Sauce: Adds deep umami and saltiness to the sauce.
• Sugar: Balances the tangy and savory elements of the dish.
• Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic base that adds depth and warmth to the sauce.
• Vinegar: Introduces a subtle tang and helps tenderize the meat.

• Red Pepper, Onion: Adds crunch, color, and complementary flavors to the dish.
• Spring Onions: Fresh garnish for a mild onion flavor and visual appeal.

• Cooking Oil: High-heat oil for frying and creating crispy beef texture.
• Boiled Rice: Traditional accompaniment to serve with the beef.

Cooking Instructions for Crispy Orange Beef

Step 1: Prepare the Beef

• Cornflour
• Salt
• Pepper

Coat the beef thoroughly with the mixture.

Step 2: Crisp the Beef

Heat oil in a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Fry the beef for 5-6 minutes, stirring minimally until crispy and golden brown.

Step 3: Sauté Vegetables

Remove beef from the pan. In the same oil, fry red pepper and onion until they become slightly crunchy and vibrant.

Step 4: Create Flavor Sauce

• Orange zest
• Orange juice
• Soy sauce
• Sugar
• Minced garlic
• Vinegar
• Grated ginger

Pour the sauce over the vegetables and bring to a boil. Simmer for 1 minute.

Step 5: Combine and Finish

Add the crispy beef back to the pan. Stir and heat through for 1 minute. Optional: Thicken sauce with cornflour slurry if desired.

Step 6: Serve

Plate with boiled rice and garnish with chopped spring onions. Enjoy your zesty, crispy orange beef!

Tips to Get the Crispiest Orange Beef

• Dry Thoroughly: Use paper towels to remove excess moisture from beef, ensuring maximum crispiness during frying.
• Avoid Overcrowding: Fry beef in batches to maintain high oil temperature and prevent soggy texture.
• Cornflour Coating Trick: Shake off excess cornflour to create a light, even layer for extra crispy exterior.
• Zest Before Juicing: Grate orange zest first, then squeeze juice to maximize flavor extraction.
• Slurry Secret: Mix cornflour with cold water before adding to sauce to prevent lumps and achieve smooth thickening.

How to Store and Reheat Crispy Orange Beef

• Refrigerate: Store leftover orange beef in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the dish will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled beef to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen orange beef maintains quality for up to 2 months.
• Reheat: Warm refrigerated beef in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent drying. Add a splash of water or extra sauce to restore moisture. Microwave as a quick alternative, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring between each to ensure even warming.

Best Pairings for Crispy Orange Beef

• Elevate with Zesty Wine Pairing: Choose a bright, citrusy Riesling or Gewürztraminer that complements the orange sauce's tangy profile and cuts through the beef's richness.
• Cool Down with Crisp Beverage: Enjoy a cold Asian-style lager like Tsingtao or Sapporo, which refreshes the palate and balances the dish's spicy and sweet notes.
• Boost Flavor with Herbal Side: Serve alongside a light cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame oil to provide a cool, crunchy contrast to the crispy beef.
• Complete the Meal with Jasmine Rice: Steamed jasmine rice serves as the perfect neutral base, absorbing the vibrant orange sauce and offering a soft texture against the crispy beef.

Flavor Variations of Crispy Orange Beef

• Spicy Citrus Beef: Replace orange with grapefruit juice and add red chili flakes for a zesty, hot kick. Increase ginger for extra warmth and complexity.
• Thai-Inspired Variation: Swap orange for lime juice, add fish sauce, and sprinkle chopped Thai basil. Include sliced lemongrass for authentic Southeast Asian flavor profile.
• Teriyaki Fusion Beef: Substitute orange juice with teriyaki sauce, reduce sugar, and add sesame oil. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and green onions for a Japanese-inspired meal.
• Tangy Pineapple Beef: Use pineapple juice instead of orange, add a dash of cayenne pepper, and incorporate diced pineapple chunks for a tropical sweet-spicy combination.

Crispy Orange Beef Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy orange beef brings Chinese-inspired flavors to your dinner table with tangy citrus notes and perfectly crunchy meat. Savory beef pieces glazed in zesty orange sauce create a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 500 g (1.1 lbs) beef steak, chopped into strips
• 1 red pepper, sliced
• 1 large onion, peeled and sliced

Sauce Ingredients:

• 5 tablespoons soy sauce
• 120 ml (½ cup) orange juice
• 3 tablespoons caster sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornflour (cornstarch)
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar

Seasoning and Aromatics:

• 3 tablespoons oil
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
• 1 teaspoon ginger paste
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper
• Zest of half an orange

Optional (Sauce Thickener):

• 1 tablespoon cornflour mixed with 3 tablespoons cold water

To Serve:

• Boiled rice
• 4 spring onions (scallions), chopped on the diagonal

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly pat the beef dry with paper towels to ensure maximum crispiness and prevent steaming.
2. Create a seasoned coating by evenly tossing the beef with cornstarch (cornflour), kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring each piece is completely covered.
3. Pour vegetable or peanut oil into a large wok or heavy-bottomed skillet, heating until shimmering and almost smoking over high heat (375°F/190°C).
4. Carefully place coated beef pieces into the hot oil, allowing them to sear without excessive stirring, creating a golden-brown crust for approximately 4-5 minutes.
5. Using a slotted spoon, transfer crispy beef to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil and maintain crunchiness.
6. In the same oil, quickly sauté diced red bell peppers and sliced onions until they develop slight char marks and remain slightly crunchy, about 2-3 minutes.
7. Prepare the vibrant orange sauce by combining fresh orange zest, freshly squeezed orange juice, low-sodium soy sauce, granulated sugar, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and grated fresh ginger in a separate bowl.
8. Pour the sauce mixture over the sautéed vegetables, bringing the liquid to a rapid boil, then immediately reducing to a gentle simmer for 60-90 seconds to concentrate flavors.
9. Reintroduce the crispy beef into the sauce, gently tossing to coat and warming through for an additional minute.
10. Optional: If a thicker sauce is desired, create a quick cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with cold water, then stirring into the sauce.
11. Plate the orange beef over steamed jasmine or basmati rice, garnishing with thinly sliced green onions for a fresh, aromatic finish.

Notes

• Patting beef dry ensures maximum crispiness and helps cornflour coating stick perfectly.
• High heat is crucial for achieving golden, crispy beef without overcooking.
• Minimal stirring during frying creates delicious caramelized edges and prevents beef from breaking.
• Quick cooking maintains beef’s tenderness while developing rich, deep flavor profiles.
• Orange sauce balances sweet, tangy, and savory elements creating restaurant-quality taste at home.
• Cornflour slurry acts as a natural thickener, giving sauce glossy, professional-looking consistency.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 342 kcal
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg