Sesame Beef
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
1 hr 30 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 45 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
493 kcal
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Cuisine
Chinese-American Fussion
Sesame Beef
Description
Sesame Beef highlights thin slices of flank steak that are marinated with a combination of Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, oyster sauce, and baking soda to tenderize and flavor the meat. The meat is coated in a mix of cornstarch and toasted sesame seeds, then shallow-fried in neutral oil at precisely controlled temperatures to develop a crisp exterior while maintaining a tender interior. The accompanying sauce, made from hot water, brown sugar, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and white pepper, is stirred in after frying to glaze the beef with a glossy, balanced sauce.
The result is beef slices with a lightly crispy texture from the coating, enhanced by the nutty sesame seeds and a rich sauce with sweet, savory, and slightly acidic notes. The garlic and scallions added to the dish provide aromatic freshness to complete the flavor profile.
This dish serves well over steamed rice or alongside stir-fried vegetables, offering a protein-centered entrée with nuanced textural contrasts. The marinade also allows for make-ahead preparation, improving convenience without diminishing taste.
Ingredients
For marinating the beef:
- 12 ounces flank steak sliced against the grain into ¼-inch/6mm slices, beef
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons Shaoxing wine
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
For the sauce:
- 2/3 cup water hot
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar (light or dark)
- 2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce light
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 pinch white pepper
For the rest of the dish:
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 1/2 tablespoons sesame seeds toasted
- 1/2 cup neutral oil (such as canola or vegetable oil)
- 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon scallions (chopped)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch (mixed into a slurry with 1 tablespoon water)
Instructions
Marinate the beef:
- Combine the sliced beef with the water, cornstarch, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, oyster sauce, and baking soda. Stir well, and set aside to marinate for 1 hour. You can also do this the night before. (For convenience—it doesn’t make a significant difference in flavor.)
Prepare the sauce:
- In a medium bowl or measuring cup with a pour spout, stir together the hot water, light brown sugar, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and white pepper. Set aside.
Dredge and sear the beef:
- In a shallow dish, stir together the cornstarch and sesame seeds. Dredge the beef slices in this mixture until thoroughly coated. Give each slice a gentle shake to release excess cornstarch (grab a few at a time to expedite the process).
- Heat the neutral oil in the wok or pan over medium-high heat. When a piece of beef sizzles in the oil (just before the oil begins to smoke), it’s ready for frying. Place the beef slices in the wok/pan in an even layer. Shallow-fry for 1 minute on each side to achieve a crusty coating, and transfer to a plate or sheet pan in one layer. Don’t pile the pieces on top of each other; you want the beef to stay crispy.
Finish the dish:
- Let the particles in the oil settle, then drain the oil into a heat-proof bowl, leaving behind any sediment. Wipe the wok/pan clean with a paper towel. Add a tablespoon of oil back to the wok over medium heat, and add the chopped garlic. Cook for 15 seconds.
- Then add the sauce mixture. Stir the sauce to deglaze the pan and bring it up to a simmer. Then add the scallions.
- Add the cornstarch slurry mixture, and stir until the sauce thickens just enough to coat a spoon. You can also add a teaspoon or two of hot water to thin out the sauce if it looks too thick for your liking. Add the beef, and toss until the pieces are coated in sauce. Transfer to a plate and serve with lots of rice!
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 493 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 493kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 21g | 7% |
| Protein | 21g | 42% |
| Fat | 37g | 57% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 10g | 59% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 21g | 105% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 51mg | 17% |
| Sodium | 912mg | 38% |
| Potassium | 364mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 16IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 84mg | 8% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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