Description
Sticky Rainbow Beef is a vibrant, flavorful stir-fry featuring tender marinated beef strips coated in a sticky, savory-sweet sauce with colorful vegetables. Served over thin egg noodles, this quick and easy dish combines a perfect balance of textures and tastes, making it an ideal weeknight meal bursting with Asian-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Beef Marinade
- 400 g (14 oz) porterhouse steak (New York strip), sliced into thin strips (can substitute rump/top sirloin, sirloin, or Scotch fillet/boneless rib-eye)
- 1 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)
- ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 1 tbsp tamari or all-purpose soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp freshly minced garlic
Coating
- ⅓ cup (40 g) cornflour (cornstarch)
- Olive oil spray
Sauce
- ½ cup (175 g) honey
- ¼ cup (60 ml) tamari or all-purpose soy sauce
- ¼ cup (60 g) tomato ketchup
- 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine
- 1 tsp freshly minced garlic
- 2 tbsp water
Vegetables and Noodles
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 red capsicum (bell pepper), sliced
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 2 spring onions (scallions), cut into 2 cm (¾ inch) batons
- 250 g (9 oz) dried thin egg noodles, prepared as per packet instructions
To Serve
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the beef: Place all the beef marinade ingredients (400 g beef strips, 1 tbsp cornflour, ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda, 1 tbsp tamari or soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, and 1 tsp minced garlic) into a large bowl. Toss thoroughly to coat the beef evenly. Let the beef marinate for 20 minutes to tenderize and absorb flavors. While marinating, prepare other ingredients. Alternatively, you can cook immediately for a less tender result.
- Coat the beef: Add an additional ⅓ cup (40 g) cornflour to the marinated beef and toss well until all strips are coated evenly with cornflour, ensuring maximum crispiness when cooked.
- Choose cooking method for beef - Oven-bake: Preheat the oven to 240°C (475°F) or 220°C (425°F) fan forced. Place a wire rack over a lined baking tray. Spread the beef strips on the rack so they don’t touch. Generously spray both sides of the beef with olive oil spray, fully covering the cornflour coating. Bake for 8–10 minutes, flipping the strips halfway, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Choose cooking method for beef - Air Fryer: Preheat air fryer to 220°C (425°F). Place beef strips in the air fryer basket ensuring no overlap and cook in batches if needed. Spray all sides of beef well with oil. Cook for 6–7 minutes, tossing halfway through until browned and crisp.
- Choose cooking method for beef - Pan-fry: Heat a large non-stick pan over medium–high heat. Spray pan with olive oil. Cook beef strips for 6–8 minutes, turning once halfway and spraying more oil if necessary, until golden and cooked through.
- Prepare the sauce: In a large jug, whisk together honey, tamari or soy sauce, tomato ketchup, rice wine vinegar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, Chinese cooking wine, freshly minced garlic, and water until well combined.
- Stir-fry vegetables and combine: Heat 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil in a large heavy-based pan over medium-high heat. Add sliced red capsicum, red onion, and spring onions. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until slightly softened. Add the cooked beef and pour in the prepared sauce. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients well.
- Serve: Divide the cooked thin egg noodles into four bowls. Top with the sticky rainbow beef stir-fry mixture. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired for added texture and flavor. Serve immediately for best taste.
Notes
- Marinating the beef for 20 minutes tenderizes the meat and enhances flavor but can be cooked immediately if short on time.
- Be sure to spray the beef strips generously with oil to get a crispy, golden crust whether baking, air frying, or pan-frying.
- You can substitute porterhouse steak with rump, top sirloin, sirloin, or boneless rib-eye based on preference or availability.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying honey amount in the sauce to suit your taste.
- For gluten-free option, use tamari instead of regular soy sauce and ensure hoisin sauce is gluten free.
- Thin egg noodles can be swapped with rice noodles or other preferred noodles if desired.
- Cooking vegetables briefly keeps them crisp and vibrant, preserving their color and texture.
