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Sweet and Sour Beef

Sweet and Sour Beef: Your Cozy Homemade Takeout Fix

Sweet and Sour Beef delivers a vibrant mix of tangy and savory flavors, perfect for weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Beef
  • 1 pound Beef (flank steak or sirloin) Thinly sliced against the grain
  • 2 tablespoons Cornstarch For coating the beef
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil For frying
For the Vegetables
  • 1 cup Bell Peppers (red and green) Vibrant color; can substitute with snap peas or carrots
  • 1 medium Onion
For the Sauce
  • 1/2 cup Soy Sauce Use gluten-free tamari if needed
  • 1/4 cup Ketchup
  • 1/4 cup Rice Vinegar
  • 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1/4 cup Pineapple Juice Can substitute with water
  • 2 tablespoons Cornstarch Slurry For thickening the sauce
For the Crunch
  • 1 cup Pineapple Chunks Fresh or canned
  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced

Equipment

  • Skillet

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Begin by slicing your flank steak or sirloin thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness. Coat the beef lightly with cornstarch, then set aside.
  2. Heat a large skillet over high heat and add vegetable oil. Once shimmering, add the beef in batches, searing for 2-3 minutes until browned. Remove from skillet.
  3. In the same skillet, add bell peppers, onion, and garlic. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until crisp-tender.
  4. Deglaze the skillet with soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and pineapple juice. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce, stirring continuously until thickened and glossy.
  6. Return the browned beef and pineapple to the skillet, tossing to coat. Heat through for 2-3 minutes.
  7. Serve over jasmine rice or stir-fried noodles. Garnish with toasted cashews or peanuts if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 25gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 2gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 30IUVitamin C: 50mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Slice beef against the grain for tenderness; use fresh vegetables for the best flavor.

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