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Panda Express Copycat Beijing Beef – Quick and Delicious Weeknight Dinner!


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  • Author: Luna
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Description

Bring the iconic flavors of Panda Express to your home with this Panda Express Copycat Beijing Beef – Quick and Delicious Weeknight Dinner! Tender slices of crispy beef, sautéed veggies, and a tangy-sweet sauce make this dish the perfect balance of flavor and texture. This quick and easy recipe is sure to become a family favorite for busy weeknights or special occasions.


Ingredients

For the Beef

  • 1 pound flank steak, sliced thinly against the grain into ¼” slices
  • 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into ½” pieces
  • 1 yellow onion, cut into ½” pieces
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 46 tablespoons cornstarch (for coating the beef)

For the Marinade

  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon cold water

For the Sauce

  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons honey (or sugar)
  • 3 tablespoons ketchup
  • ¼ cup hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
  • 1 ½ tablespoons sweet chili sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons red pepper flakes (adjust for spice preference)
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Beef

  1. Slice the flank steak thinly against the grain for tender bites.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together the egg, cornstarch, salt, and cold water.
  3. Add the beef slices to the marinade, ensuring every piece is coated. Let it rest for 15–20 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Sauce

  1. In a small bowl, mix water, honey, ketchup, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sweet chili sauce, rice wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, and cornstarch.
  2. Stir until the cornstarch dissolves completely, then set the sauce aside.

Step 3: Fry the Beef

  1. Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  2. Coat each piece of beef lightly in cornstarch before frying.
  3. Fry the beef in small batches to ensure crispiness, about 2–3 minutes per batch. Place fried beef on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 4: Sauté the Vegetables

  1. Remove excess oil from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
  2. Add the red bell pepper, yellow onion, and garlic.
  3. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened but still crisp.

Step 5: Combine with the Sauce

  1. Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet and bring it to a simmer over medium heat.
  2. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens, about 2–3 minutes.
  3. Return the fried beef to the skillet, along with the sautéed vegetables.
  4. Toss everything together to ensure the sauce coats the beef and veggies evenly.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

  1. Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.
  2. Garnish with sesame seeds or sliced green onions for extra flavor.

Notes

  • For less spice, reduce the red pepper flakes in the sauce.
  • Substitute flank steak with skirt steak or sirloin for similar results.
  • Double the sauce if you love extra saucy dishes.
  • Bake instead of frying for a healthier option. Bake the cornstarch-coated beef at 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Chinese-American