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
- 4–6 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
- Slice the flank steak thinly against the grain for tender bites.
- In a bowl, whisk together the egg, cornstarch, salt, and cold water.
- Add the beef slices to the marinade, ensuring every piece is coated. Let it rest for 15–20 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
- 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.
- Stir until the cornstarch dissolves completely, then set the sauce aside.
Step 3: Fry the Beef
- Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Coat each piece of beef lightly in cornstarch before frying.
- 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
- Remove excess oil from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
- Add the red bell pepper, yellow onion, and garlic.
- Sauté for 3–4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened but still crisp.
Step 5: Combine with the Sauce
- Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet and bring it to a simmer over medium heat.
- Stir continuously until the sauce thickens, about 2–3 minutes.
- Return the fried beef to the skillet, along with the sautéed vegetables.
- Toss everything together to ensure the sauce coats the beef and veggies evenly.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
- Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.
- 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