Beijing Beef is a bold and flavorful Chinese-American dish, famously popularized by Panda Express, and now made even better at home! This version features thinly sliced beef marinated for tenderness, fried until crispy, then tossed in a sweet, spicy, and tangy sauce alongside sautéed garlic, onions, and bell peppers. It’s a restaurant-style favorite that’s fast, flavorful, and sure to be a family hit—ready in just 40 minutes.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

Beef & Marinade

• 12 oz flank steak (or ribeye/sirloin), thinly sliced

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp Bayou City Garlic Pepper (or your favorite spice blend)

• ½ tsp baking soda

• 2 tsp sesame oil

• ½ tsp sugar

• ½ tsp Chinese five spice

For Frying

• 2 large egg whites

• 1 cup cornstarch

• Vegetable oil (for frying)

Stir-Fry & Sauce

• 2 tbsp grapeseed oil

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 medium onion, sliced

• 1 large red bell pepper, sliced

• 2 red chili peppers (optional)

Sauce Mixture

• 3 tbsp rice vinegar

• ⅓ cup brown sugar

• ⅓ cup ketchup

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 2 tbsp hoisin sauce

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp cornstarch

Optional Garnishes

• Green onions, chopped

• Sesame seeds

Directions

1. Marinate the Beef: In a bowl, combine sliced beef with soy sauce, garlic pepper, baking soda, sesame oil, sugar, and Chinese five spice. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

2. Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, tomato paste, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Set aside.

3. Prep the Beef for Frying: Add egg whites to the marinated beef and stir to coat. Dredge beef strips in cornstarch until fully coated.

4. Fry the Beef: Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Fry the beef in batches for 2–3 minutes until crispy. Drain on paper towels.

5. Stir-Fry the Veggies: Remove oil from the wok. Add grapeseed oil and stir-fry garlic for 30 seconds. Add onion and bell pepper (and chili if using) and cook for 1–2 minutes.

6. Sauce & Combine: Pour the sauce mixture into the wok. Cook until thickened, then return the beef and toss to coat evenly.

7. Serve: Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Nutrients (Estimated per serving — serves 4)

• Calories: ~380 kcal

• Protein: ~24g

• Fat: ~15g

• Carbohydrates: ~35g

• Sugar: ~15g

• Sodium: Moderate to high (adjust with low-sodium soy sauce)

The Magic Behind the Marinade

At the core of this dish’s bold flavor is a well-balanced marinade that tenderizes and seasons the beef. Thin slices of flank steak (or ribeye, sirloin, or your preferred cut) are soaked in a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, baking soda, and five-spice powder. This marinade not only imparts rich umami flavor but also works to tenderize the beef, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth strips that retain their texture through the frying and stir-frying process.

The baking soda plays a crucial role by slightly altering the pH of the meat, breaking down the fibers for a softer bite. Meanwhile, Chinese five spice infuses the beef with subtle aromatic notes—clove, cinnamon, star anise, fennel, and Sichuan peppercorn—adding complexity to the overall flavor profile. Even a short marinating time of 30 minutes goes a long way in building depth and ensuring the beef stays juicy through high-heat cooking.

Crispy Coating and Quick Frying Technique

One of the defining features of Beijing Beef is its crispy coating. The beef is dredged in cornstarch after being coated with egg whites, which helps create a crackling crust when fried. Cornstarch is essential in achieving that golden, restaurant-style crispiness without making the coating too thick or doughy. The result is beef strips that are crisp on the outside while remaining tender inside.

Frying the beef in small batches ensures that the oil temperature stays consistent, which is key to avoiding greasy or soggy results. Though the dish involves frying, the thin coating and quick cook time make it feel lighter than deep-fried fast food, and the texture contrasts beautifully with the glossy sauce that follows.

For those who prefer a less oily version, the beef can also be air-fried or baked at high heat for a slightly different but still satisfying crunch.

A Sauce That Hits Every Note

What sets Beijing Beef apart from other stir-fry dishes is its signature sauce. It’s a rich, sticky, reddish glaze that delivers a perfect harmony of sweet, spicy, and sour. In this version, the sauce combines rice vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, tomato paste, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and a touch of cornstarch to thicken everything into a luscious coating.

The ketchup and tomato paste create the base for the dish’s familiar tangy sweetness, while hoisin adds umami and soy sauce brings saltiness. Brown sugar adds a caramel depth, and rice vinegar brightens the flavors with acidity. The balance of these elements is what makes Beijing Beef so addictive—it’s bold, but not overpowering; sweet, but not cloying; spicy, but approachable.

Red chili peppers are optional but highly recommended for those who enjoy heat. You can also customize the spice level by adding more crushed red pepper flakes or fresh sliced chilies depending on your taste.

Color and Crunch from Fresh Vegetables

No stir-fry is complete without colorful, crisp vegetables, and Beijing Beef is no exception. Sliced red bell peppers and onions are sautéed quickly in grapeseed or vegetable oil to retain their bright color and crunch. Garlic adds depth and aroma, creating a flavor base that supports the sauce and beef.

These vegetables not only add freshness to the dish but also balance the richness of the sauce and the beef. Their natural sweetness complements the glaze, while their slight bitterness and acidity cut through the heavier elements. The overall result is a well-rounded dish with vibrant color and appealing texture in every bite.

Feel free to personalize the veggies based on what you have—broccoli, snow peas, or even bok choy can be added for variety. The dish is highly adaptable without compromising its character.

Perfect for Weeknights or Entertaining

Although Beijing Beef looks and tastes like a dish that took hours to prepare, it comes together surprisingly quickly. With a little bit of prep ahead—slicing the meat and chopping the veggies—you can have dinner on the table in just about 40 minutes. This makes it a perfect option for weeknights when you’re short on time but still want something homemade and satisfying.

It also makes a great option for entertaining. Served over jasmine rice or noodles and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, this dish has serious wow factor. Its bold flavors and crispy texture make it a crowd-pleaser, and you can easily double the recipe to feed a larger group.

For a complete meal, serve it alongside egg rolls, steamed dumplings, or a light cucumber salad for contrast. And for drinks, a crisp Asian lager or a refreshing iced tea with lemon makes an excellent pairing.

Nutritional Overview and Lightening It Up

Beijing Beef is indulgent, but you can make small changes to adjust the dish to your dietary needs. Each serving contains roughly 380 calories with a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Using leaner cuts of beef, reducing the sugar slightly, or opting for a lighter sauté rather than deep frying are simple tweaks that can make the dish a bit healthier without sacrificing too much on flavor.

Using low-sodium soy sauce can help control salt levels, while adding more vegetables will increase fiber and vitamins. You can also serve it over brown rice or quinoa for added nutritional value, making it a more balanced and wholesome meal.

For those watching their carb intake, the dish can be served over steamed vegetables or cauliflower rice to keep things lighter while still enjoying the signature sauce and crispy beef.

Conclusion

Beijing Beef is a standout among Chinese-American classics, delivering bold flavors, tender meat, crispy textures, and a sauce that’s simply unforgettable. This homemade version takes everything people love about the takeout staple and gives it a fresher, more customizable approach that fits right into your weekly rotation.

With just 40 minutes from start to finish, it’s a dish that feels special but is simple enough for everyday cooking. Whether you’re making it as a treat for yourself or serving it at your next dinner party, Beijing Beef is guaranteed to impress. Its balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors makes it universally loved, while the crispy beef and vibrant vegetables add excitement and satisfaction in every bite.

Try it once, and it’ll quickly earn a permanent place on your list of favorite homemade meals. Bold, vibrant, and downright delicious, Beijing Beef brings the taste of your favorite Chinese restaurant straight to your table—no takeout menu required.