Crispy Shredded Beef

Crispy shredded beef, also called crispy chilli beef, is a beloved and classic Chinese restaurant takeout dish. They normally prepare this dish by marinating the beef strips with soy sauce, garlic and ginger. Then they coat them with potato starch or cornstarch. Followed by deep frying the beef strips until golden and crispy. After that they toss these beef strips with onion and red capsicums in a savoury, sweet and sour sauce. The stir fry sauce can differ somewhat subject to the region of Chinese cuisine and home cooking style. The spicy versions include Peking style and Sichuan style. Whereas the sweeter sauce is the Cantonese style of cooking. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delightful and flavoursome crispy shredded beef. Besides, you only need very little time and work to replicate this popular crispy shredded beef takeout dish at home.

Gluten Free Crispy Shredded Beef

For my gluten free crispy shredded beef recipe, I am using sirloin steak (also called porterhouse steak in Australia). Likewise I marinate the beef pieces with minced garlic and ginger, coconut aminos and medium dry sherry. As well as some potato starch and a small amount of baking soda to tenderise the meat. Marinade for 30 minutes or overnight. Then I coat the shredded beef well with potato starch and chick pea flour mixture before deep frying. In order to achieve maximum crunchiness for my shredded beef. Besides, I used the Chinese double fry method (Read more about this method below).

Moreover, I made the stir fry sauce with coconut aminos, honey, medium dry sherry and rice wine vinegar. Afterwards, I added red capsicum, carrot and spring onion (shallot) to the sauce. My crispy shredded beef is not only gluten free. But also dairy free, corn free, egg free, nut free, soy free, low carb and refined sugar free.

You may also like my other gluten free beef recipes:

• Instant Pot Braised Beef and Ginger Wine;
• Instant Pot Cantonese Braised Beef;
• Mongolian Beef with Zucchini;
• Black Pepper Beef Stir-Fry;
• Braised Beef with Shiitake Mushrooms and Black Fungus;
• Gua Bao with 5 Spice Pulled Beef (Steamed Sandwich Buns);
• Beef and Leek Dumplings;
• Beef with Chinese Water Chestnuts Stew;
• Oyster Beef and Chinese Broccoli; and
• Beef and Capsicum in Black Bean Sauce.

Chinese Double Fry Technique

The double frying method is the secret to Chinese restaurant’s super crunchy meat or seafood dishes. Like salt and pepper squid, fried chicken wings, sweet and sour pork, honey chicken or honey prawns etc. The trick is to fry the meat or seafood twice. With the first fry at around 180C or 350F for around 1 to 2 minutes. Depending on the type and size of meat or seafood you are using. Then they do the second fry at a higher temperature and less time at 190C or 375F for 30 seconds. The result is super crunchy crust, tender and juicy meat or seafood inside.

What is Sirloin Steak?

Sirloin steak, also called porterhouse steak or new york steak. Likewise, many regard it as a very popular cut of beef. Besides, they consider it as a fairly lean cut of boneless meat with fine marbling. Remarkably tender and juicy and has rich beefy flavour. Crispy shredded beef often uses sirloin steak as a key ingredient due to its tenderness and flavour. No wonder they often consider sirloin steak as the steak lovers’ choice.

Specifically, sirloin steaks are a cut from the rump end of the strip loin. Besides, the strip loin is from the hindquarter and situated on either side of the cow’s spine. And covers the ribs to the rump area just on top of the tenderloin. When they cut the steak from the rib side of the strip loin. And they left it on bone with meat on both sides of the bone. Sirloin on one side and tenderloin on the other side. They call this large cut of beef as the T-bone steak.

Best cuts of beef to use for shredded crispy beef are the tender steak cuts. Specifically, sirloin, ribeye, rump steak and tenderloin. These beef steak cuts cook quickly and stay tender and juicy. Whereas Chinese restaurants typically use flank steak, an economical cut immense flavour. Furthermore, they tenderise this tougher beef cut with baking soda, resulting in soft and velvety meat. Just like the chicken, pork and beef pieces that you regularly get when dining out at Chinese restaurants.

Nutritional Values of Sirloin Steak

Sirloin steak is lean, zero carb and high quality protein with all the complete nine essential amino acids. It also has low sodium and zero Fodmap. Just like all steak cut of beef, it is an excellent source of numerous essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Likewise, sirloin steak is a good addition to a balanced meal if eaten in moderation. This goes for crispy shredded beef dishes as well, as you can benefit from the nutritional value of sirloin steak. Besides, it is a superb source of zinc, phosphorus and iron. And vitamins like vitamin B12, vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B6, choline, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). Moreover, sirloin steak is also a good source of selenium, potassium, iodine and magnesium. The iron present in beef is heme iron which you can more easily absorb. Compared to non-heme iron from plant sources.

Health Benefits of Sirloin Steak

Overall, the many health benefits of sirloin steak may include:

• Maintain and build muscle mass;
• Assist in wound healing and DNA synthesis;
• Support production of red blood cells;
• Prevent iron deficiency anemia;
• Promote healthy bones and teeth;
• Boost the body’s immune system;
• Aid in weight management; and
• Support healthy brain and central nervous system.

Even though sirloin steak has many many health benefits. It is crucial to consider portion sizes as well as balance your consumption of red meat. With a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and gluten free whole grains. In addition, lean cuts like sirloin are in general healthier choices, especially when making dishes like crispy shredded beef. But moderation is still the key to prevent too much saturated fat consumption.

Ingredients for Gluten Free Crispy Shredded Beef

Video for Crispy Shredded Beef