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Sweet and Sour Beef

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Sweet and Sour Beef is a flavorful dish featuring tender strips of beef coated in a glossy sauce with balanced tangy, sweet, and savory notes. Paired with colorful vegetables and served over rice or noodles, this dish is a perfect homemade version of a beloved takeout classic.

Ingredients

  • Beef (such as flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain)
  • Cornstarch (for coating the beef)
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Vegetable oil (for frying)
  • Bell peppers (red and green, chopped)
  • Onion (chopped)
  • Pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
  • Garlic (minced)
  • Soy sauce
  • Ketchup
  • Rice vinegar
  • Brown sugar
  • Pineapple juice (or water)
  • Cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water, for thickening the sauce)

Instructions

  1. Toss the sliced beef with cornstarch, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
  2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Cook the beef in batches until browned and just cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed. Sauté the garlic, bell peppers, onion, and pineapple chunks until just tender but still crisp.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and pineapple juice.
  5. Return the beef to the skillet. Pour in the sauce and bring to a simmer. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and vegetables.
  6. Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

  • For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes or chili oil for heat.
  • Substitute beef with chicken, pork, shrimp, or tofu for a different protein.
  • For extra nutrition, add snap peas, broccoli, or carrots to the vegetables.
  • For a low-sugar version, reduce the brown sugar or use honey or maple syrup.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: sweet and sour beef, stir fry, beef, takeout, quick dinner, savory, tangy

Find it online: https://yumcove.com/sweet-and-sour-beef/