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A Chinese classic made right in your own kitchen! This Easy Kung Pao Beef recipe is layered with spicy, savory, sweet, and sour flavors then topped with crunchy peanuts. It’s better than takeout every time!
I enjoy recreating my family’s favorite Chinese dishes at home, such as Kimchi fried rice, beef ramen, Szechuan chicken, and kung pao beef. This stir-fry is incredibly simple to prepare and pairs perfectly with steamed rice.
I used to always order the same thing whenever we got Chinese takeout. I was a beef with broccoli girl. Then, one day, my eyes were opened to the world of Kung Pao Chicken. With its spicy, rich and smooth sauce – plus the peanut crunch – my takeout order has never been the same.
But when I learned how to make Kung Pao Beef at home – that was the real game changer. Why order take out when you can make this go-to Chinese dish in your own kitchen? You need this recipe in your life! And, it’s ready in 20 minutes, from start to finish.
What is Kung Pao Sauce?
Kung Pao sauce is the sauce equivalent of a fireworks display. It is the American version of the Chinese classic Szechuan sauce. The sauce is layered with flavors, unlike anything my taste buds have ever experienced.
This sauce is spicy, savory, slightly sweet, and sour as you move through each and every bite. The texture is smooth and rich. It’s great on beef or chicken.
Ingredients for Kung Pao Beef
This koon po beef recipe is loaded with delish Asian inspired flavors combined with tender beef and gorgeous colorful veggies. Here’s a closer look at the ingredients you’ll need to create this flavorful dish, along with suggested substitutions.
For the Beef
- Flank steak – You’ll need a pound of this tender steak sliced thinly for quick cooking.
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper – Essential for seasoning the beef, enhancing its flavor.
- Cornstarch – Helps create a crispy coating on the beef and thickens the sauce during cooking.
For the Sauce
- Ketchup – Adds a touch of sweetness and tang to balance the flavors.
- Rice cooking wine or dry sherry – Used to add acidity to the sauce. Balsamic vinegar can be substituted.
- Low sodium soy sauce – Provides umami and saltiness without overpowering the dish.
- Chili sauce – Injects some heat and spice.
- Sesame seed oil – Adds a rich, nutty flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
For the Stir Fry
- Vegetable oil or canola oil – Used for stir-frying; both have high smoke points suitable for high heat cooking.
- Pepper flakes – Contributes a touch of heat and spice to the stir-fry.
- Fresh grated ginger – Provides a fresh, pungent flavor.
- Thai red dried chiles – These peppers infuse the oil with a delicious smoky flavor.
- Green bell pepper – Incorporates a crunch and a mild, sweet flavor.
- Scallions – Adds a fresh, mild onion flavor and a bit of crunch.
- Dry roasted peanuts – Provides a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
- Chopped fresh cilantro – Adds a fresh note and is used for both cooking and garnishing.
How to Make Kung Pao Beef
Ready to bring a burst of bold, Asian-inspired flavors to your dinner table? Good! This step-by-step guide will walk you through making the best beef kung po you’ve ever had.
- Coat the Beef: Place the beef strips in a mixing bowl. Season the beef strips with salt and pepper, then add the cornstarch and mix well. Set aside.
- Make the sauce: In a small mixing bowl combine the ketchup, dry sherry, soy sauce, chili sauce, and sesame seed oil. Whisk it together until thoroughly incorporated. Set aside.
- Saute: Heat the vegetable oil in a wok over high heat. Stir in pepper flakes and red dried chiles and cook for 10 seconds, or until fragrant. Stir in the ginger. Cook for just a few seconds. Add the green bell peppers and scallions. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add Beef: Add the beef and stir fry until it’s browned. This should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add Sauce: Stir in the sauce and cook for 1 minute.
- Serve: Stir in the peanuts and cilantro. Cook for 30 seconds. Remove from heat and serve.
Tips for the Best Kung Pao Beef
- Velveting. If you want that velvety texture to your beef that the take-out always has but is so hard to replicate at home, you really need to toss your beef in the cornstarch and let it sit for at least a few minutes.
- Slicing the steak. Be sure you slice your flank steak against the grain. This will ensure it’s as tender as possible. Cut the pieces into ¼-inch thick strips so that they cook evenly.
- Use the nuts. Don’t skimp on the peanuts. That crunch really adds to the texture of the dish.
- Rice wine substitute. If I find I’m out of both rice wine and dry sherry, I’ll sub in balsamic vinegar.
- Veggie alternatives. Feel free to sub your green bell peppers for green beans or snap peas if that’s what you have available to you.
Serving Suggestions
With all that meat and veggies, this is a complete meal in itself. I love to serve kung pow beef over jasmine rice garnished with fresh chopped cilantro. You could also serve it with a side of homemade fried rice or cauliflower rice. We like having homemade egg rolls, spring rolls, or scallion pancakes on the side.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerate. You can store leftover Kung Pao beef in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- Freeze. To freeze it, simply ensure your airtight container is also freezer-safe. It will keep in the freezer for about 4 months.
- Reheat. When you’re ready to reheat, add it to a pan or wok. Bring it to a simmer over low heat and serve when the beef strips are warm.
More Chinese Takeout Recipes
ENJOY!
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Easy Kung Pao Beef Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain into ¼-inch thick strips
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons rice cooking wine or dry sherry, when I’m out of either one, I use balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame seed oil
For the Stir Fry
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or canola oil
- ¼ teaspoon pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 5 Thai red dried chiles
- 1 small green bell pepper, cut into thin strips and each strip cut in half
- 3 scallions, white and green parts, cut into 2-inch pieces
- ½ cup dry roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Prep the flank steak. Place the beef strips in a mixing bowl and season them with salt and pepper. Add the cornstarch and mix well. Set aside.
- Make the sauce. In a small mixing bowl, combine ketchup, rice cooking wine or dry sherry, soy sauce, chili sauce, and sesame seed oil; whisk until thoroughly incorporated. Set aside.
- Cook the chiles. Heat the vegetable oil in a wok over high heat. Stir in the pepper flakes and red dried chiles; cook for 10 seconds or until fragrant and starting to char.
- Cook the peppers and scallions. Stir in the ginger; cook for just a few seconds. Add green bell peppers and scallions; cook for 1 minute.
- Cook the beef. Add the sliced beef and continue to stir fry until browned; about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the sauce and peanuts. Stir in the sauce and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the peanuts and cilantro; cook for 30 seconds.
- Serve. Remove from heat and serve over rice.
Notes
- For a velvety beef texture similar to takeout, coat the beef in cornstarch and let it sit for several minutes.
- Slice the flank steak against the grain to enhance tenderness, cutting it into ¼-inch thick strips for even cooking.
- Substitute rice wine or dry sherry with balsamic vinegar.
- Don’t skimp on peanuts; their crunch greatly enhances the dish’s texture.
- Feel free to replace green bell peppers with green beans or snap peas if needed.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
“This recipe is loaded with delish Asian inspired flavors combined with tender beef and gorgeous colorful veggies.”
And then I saw this…”For the sauce, you’ll need: ketchup”
YIKES