Ginger Beef is an addictive and satisfying dish consisting of deep-fried beef, crunchy veggies, and a sweet and sour sauce.

And while clearly inspired by Sichuan-style beef stir fry, the origins of Ginger Beef are actually (just like us) Chinese-Canadian, according to the Food Network.

Originating in Calgary during the 1970s, Ginger Beef has quickly rose to prominence as one of the most popular orders at Chinese restaurants across Canada… and with a single bite, you’ll see exactly why that is.

So, keep scrolling for our foolproof ginger beef recipe. Skipping it would be a huge missed steak.

Ingredients for Our Ginger Beef Recipe

For the beef:

• 250g sirloin or tenderloin beef, sliced (about 1/3” x 2”)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3 tbsp water
• 3 cups oil (for frying)

For the batter:

• 50g cornstarch
• 75g flour
• 75mL water
• 1/3 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder

For the sauce:

• 1 tbsp chilli oil
• 1 tbsp minced ginger
• 1 tbsp diced onion
• 1/2 tsp dried Sichuan peppercorns
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 1/3 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp cornstarch, mixed with 1.5 tbsp water

For the rest of the dish:

• 25g red pepper, sliced into thin strips
• 25g green pepper, sliced into thin strips,
• 25g carrot, sliced into thin strips

Step by Step Instructions for Our Ginger Beef Recipe

This tasty dish is easy to whip together for a satisfying dinner. Here are the step by step instructions!

At least two hours before cooking, prep your beef by slicing it into thin strips (of about 1/3” x 2”).

Add your beef strips into a bowl with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp baking soda, and half your water (1.5 tbsp). Stir until well-combined and set aside. Wait 30 minutes and then mix in the rest of your water (1.5 tbsp). Leave to marinate for at least two hours.

While your beef marinates, prepare your sauce.

Heat up your pan to medium heat, and add 1 tbsp chilli oil (or regular oil if you prefer it less spicy).

Add 1 tbsp minced ginger, 1 tbsp diced onion, 1/2 tsp dried Sichuan peppercorns, 1 tsp minced garlic, and 1 tsp red pepper flakes into the wok and stir fry for 20-30 seconds, until fragrant.

Add 1 cup of water, then bring it down to low heat, and let it slowly heat up to a boil for 3-4 minutes.

Add 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/3 cup ketchup, 1/3 tsp salt. Let it boil, then set it aside (still in the pan).

30 minutes before you’re ready to start cooking, it’s time to put together your batter by combining 50g cornstarch, 75g flour, 75mL water, 1/3 tsp salt, and 1 tsp baking powder. Mix it all together until there are no lumps, and set aside for 30 min.

When you’re ready to start cooking, add 3 cups of oil into a hot wok. While the oil is heating up, mix your marinated beef strips with your batter, ensuring that each piece of beef is thoroughly coated.

When the oil is about 350 degrees F (or when a wooden chopstick fizzles when you stick it in), throw your batter-coated beef strips into the wok.

Give all the strips a good mix to ensure they don’t stick to each other or to the bottom. NOTE: If there is too much beef to do it in one batch, divide it into two batches to fry.

When the beef floats to the top, it’s ready! Remove from the wok and drain.

To really get the crispy texture we want though, it’s best to double fry the beef. To do this, turn the heat up on the wok until it’s 400 degrees F, then put the beef back in to fry again, until golden brown. Remove the beef from your oil and drain.

Re-heat the sauce you have in your pan, then slowly add in your cornstarch/water mix and stir, so the sauce thickens. 

Throw your 25g red peppers, 25g green peppers, and 25g carrots in the sauce and stir for about 30 seconds. 

Then add your fried beef strips, and mix until thoroughly coated in the sauce.

Pour it onto a serving plate and enjoy immediately (while the beef is still crispy!)

We Hope You Enjoy Our Ginger Beef Recipe!

Let us know in the comments if you have any questions, or be sure to let us know if you’ve tested the recipe out. We’re always looking to improve our recipes and make sure they taste great for everyone.