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Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the beef strips are coated in a tangy orange glaze. This orange beef recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner and is sure to become your family’s new favorite. It could even rival your favorite takeout place.
I’m sure it’s clear by now that I love recreating takeout Chinese food at home. You can get all the delicious flavors you crave from the comfort of your own kitchen. Next, try the dynamite shrimp, lemon chicken, and sweet and sour pork.
Orange beef recipe that tastes better than takeout
Everyone loves orange chicken, but when you want something meatier, orange beef is the way to go. That tender flank steak? It soaks up all that tangy flavor like no one cares. Cornstarch coating on steak? Added with a delicate crunch, each bite is a dream come true. The texture is truly out of this world. And coated in a tangy, flavorful glaze? I can’t say enough about this dish.
Now, let’s talk about takeout. You know that feeling you get when you’re craving some Chinese flavor and you’re about to call your local takeout place? Well, with this Homemade Orange Beef, you don’t even have to pick up the phone. It’s better than takeout, I’m not kidding. Plus, you can control ingredients and freshness. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner when you’re short on time and your stomach is growling. The whole family will want seconds.
do not worry!
This recipe is one that all picky eaters will appreciate.
Materials needed
Orange flavor meets tender beef slices. This homemade orange beef is all about a simple dish that’s packed with flavor. Here’s everything you need to prepare:
- flank steak: A lean part of beef that becomes tender and flavorful when cooked. It’s thinly sliced and sprinkled with cornstarch, giving it a crunchy texture.
- cornstarch: For coating steak.
- Vegetable oil: Used for cooking steak. You can also use any other cooking oil of your choice.
- rice wine vinegar: Adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavor to orange sauce.
- soy sauce: The main flavor component of the sauce.
- sesame oil: Adds a delicious nutty flavor. Don’t let it fly!
- orange juice: Adjusts the consistency of the sauce and adds a bright citrus flavor.
- orange marmalade: It is the base of orange sauce and is full of sweet and concentrated orange flavor. It also helps give the sauce a thick, glossy texture.
- brown sugar: Sweetens the sauce and balances the acidity of the orange and vinegar.
- red chili flakes: For kicks. Feel free to omit or add more as per your preference.
- salt And black pepper: Our trusted flavor booster! Season to taste.
- Sesame seeds (for decoration): Adds a pleasant texture and nutty flavor to orange beef.
orange beef recipe
Ready to make a meal that tastes better than takeout in just 30 minutes? Orange Beef is the perfect quick and easy dinner that the whole family will love.
- Prepare the beef: Thinly slice the steak across the grain into approximately 2-inch strips. Place the sliced steak in a bowl with the cornstarch. Then toss to coat the entire steak evenly.
- Sauce mixture: In a separate bowl, add rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, orange juice, marmalade, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Then whisk to combine.
- Sheer: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add cornstarch-coated steak and cook until steak is evenly browned on the outside, about 5 to 8 minutes.
- combine: Next, add the orange sauce mixture to the skillet. Continue to cook the steak in the orange sauce, stirring constantly until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Thicken the sauce: Once the steak is fully cooked and the sauce is as thick as you like, it will take about 8-10 minutes. Then remove the frying pan from the heat.
- serve: Enjoy the orange colored beef over rice or noodles.
Tips and variations
Perfect your orange beef with these easy tips. It’s in my family’s dinner rotation quite often and my kids can never get enough of it. We think you’ll love it just as much as we do.
- slice into thin slices: Thinly slice the flank steak along the grain. This will make the beef tender and easier to chew.
- Adjust heat: Depending on how spicy you want your sauce, you can add more chili flakes or omit them completely.
- More orange flavor: If you want to add some citrus flavor to your sauce, try adding orange zest. Check the taste to make sure it’s not too thick.
- Enjoy with: We recommend serving this orange beef with some quick fried rice, air fryer cream cheese wontons, or egg rolls for a complete meal.
store leftovers
Chinese food makes the best leftovers. The next day, you can easily make a bento box just by heating it up with rice! The orange beef will be as tender and flavorful as when you first made it.
- In the refrigerator: Store beef in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- To reheat: I like to reheat the orange beef on the stove over medium heat, stirring often, until heated through. You can also use the microwave to heat it in short intervals, stirring in between.
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Thinly slice the steak across the grain into approximately 2-inch strips. Place the sliced steak in a bowl with the cornstarch. Toss to evenly coat all sides of the steak.
In a separate bowl, add rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, orange juice, marmalade, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add cornstarch-coated steak and cook until steak is evenly browned on the outside, about 5 to 8 minutes.
Add orange sauce mixture to skillet. Continue to cook the steak in the orange sauce, stirring constantly until the sauce begins to thicken.
Once the steak is fully cooked and the sauce is as thick as you like, it will take about 8-10 minutes. Remove skillet from heat.
Enjoy the orange colored beef over rice or noodles.
calorie: 272kcalcarbohydrates: 49gprotein: 14gfat: 3gSaturated fat: 1gPolyunsaturated fats: 0.4gMonounsaturated fats: 1gcholesterol: 34mgsodium: 867mgpotassium: 286mgfiber: 1gsugar: 40gVitamin A: 219IUVitamin C: 11mgcalcium: 45mgiron: 1mg
Nutritional information is automatically calculated and should only be used as a rough guide.