Description
Sticky Rainbow Beef is a vibrant and flavorful stir-fry featuring tender slices of beef and a colorful medley of bell peppers and carrots, all coated in a sticky, savory hoisin-based sauce. This quick and easy Asian-inspired dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner and pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or noodles.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Vegetables
- 1 pound flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 large carrot, julienned
- 1/2 red onion, sliced
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: In a medium bowl, toss the thinly sliced beef with cornstarch until evenly coated. Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the coating to set while you prepare the vegetables.
- Cook the Beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the beef in a single layer, cooking in batches if necessary, and sear each side for 2 to 3 minutes until the beef is crispy and browned. Remove the cooked beef from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
- Stir-Fry Vegetables: In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed. Quickly stir-fry the sliced bell peppers, julienned carrot, and sliced red onion for about 3 to 4 minutes, until the vegetables are just tender but still maintain a crisp texture.
- Make the Sauce: While vegetables cook, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl until well combined.
- Combine and Cook: Return the cooked beef to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the prepared sauce over the mixture. Toss everything thoroughly to coat the beef and vegetables. Continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and becomes sticky.
- Serve: Serve the sticky rainbow beef immediately, garnished with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy it over steamed rice or your favorite noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- For enhanced flavor, marinate the beef in 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and minced garlic for 30 minutes before coating with cornstarch.
- Use a variety of bell peppers for a colorful presentation and natural sweetness.
- Be careful not to overcrowd the pan when cooking beef to ensure proper searing.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- This dish pairs well with steamed jasmine rice or rice noodles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
