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Sweet Chilli Beef (Stove Top or Air Fryer)

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Sizzle into the flavours of the Far East with our Sweet Chilli Beef – tender strips of beef in a delicious sweet chilli sauce, bringing the magic of a Chinese Fakeaway night right to your table.

Sweet Chilli Beef in a black frying pan with wooden handle, rice and stir fried veg to the side

Chinese Crispy Chilli Beef

Do you know that yummy crispy shredded beef you get from the Chinese? One of my favourites I should add, this is a very similar dish, but lower on the calories.

To give the beef a yummy coating and make that sauce lovely and glossy, I use a cornstarch and a little oil along with the star ingredient sweet chilli sauce.

Then to get the lighter crispy coating you can either cook it in a pan or an air fryer.

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Calories in Sweet Chilli Beef

This delicious Sweet Chilli Beef serves 3 people and has 300 calories per serving (no sides).

If you're looking for more recipes within the same calorie range, you'll find an abundance of options in my dedicated collection of 300+ calorie recipes.

If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie intake using a reliable calorie calculator. Please note that the calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes. Personalizing your calculations is essential to meet your individual needs. By using a calorie calculator, you can make informed choices and stay on track with your dietary goals.

close up of Sweet Chilli Beef in a black frying pan with wooden handle.

Ingredients in Sweet Chilli Beef

To prepare these quick and easy Sweet Chilli Beef, here are some notes on the ingredients used

  1. Steak - sirloin or a similar cut of steak, trimmed of visiible fat and sliced into thin strips
  2. Cornstarch/Cornflour - this is to help crisp up the beef. Arrowroot powder or tapioca starch can also be used.
  3. Cooking oil - I recommend using an oil with a high smoke point like peanut oil, vegetable oil, avocado oil or grapeseed oil
  4. Sweet Chilli Sauce - available from most major grocery stores or Asian supermarkets
  5. Soy Sauce - light soy or all purpose. Don't use dark for this as it will overpower the sweet chilli sauce.
  6. Tomato Paste - Not a traditional in this recipe, but I like to add it just help thicken the sauce and keep a nicer colour.
  7. Spring Onions - purely for decoration, but also add an extra punch of flavour.

Once you've gathered all the ingredients and prepared them accordingly, you're all set to create this easy and delightful recipe for breakfast.

See the recipe card for specific quantities and instructions

Cooking Sweet Chilli Beef on the Stove Top

As we don't use a large quantity of oil, I recommend using a quality non-stick pan or wok when preparing this Sweet Chilli Beef. The last thing you want is for it to stick to the pan.

I particularly favor ceramic non-stick pans, which come in various shapes and sizes.

Ensure that you heat the pan thoroughly before adding both the oil and the steak. This step is crucial for achieving the desired sear. If you add the steak to a cold pan, it will simply adhere to the surface and won't develop the beautiful golden color you're aiming for.

Additionally, be mindful not to use a pan that is too small. If you overcrowd the pan, it will steam the ingredients rather than frying them, which won't yield the desired result.

Sweet Chilli Beef in a black frying pan with wooden handle, rice and stir fried veg to the side

Air Fryer Sweet Chilli Beef

If you own an air fryer, you'll be pleased to know that I've now added instructions on how to cook this dish using an air fryer to the recipe box.

An air fryer achieves the best results for that crispy beef texture similar to what you get from Chinese restaurants.

I personally use a 5.7-liter air fryer, so if yours is smaller, you may need to cook it in two batches or split it into two baskets for a dual air fryer.

Additionally, I recommend using slightly less water in the sauce when using the air fryer method since you won't be simmering it on the stovetop for this cooking method.

Variations on Sweet Chilli Beef

Other Proteins: Feel free to substitute the protein with chicken or pork. When opting for chicken, I recommend using boneless thighs sliced into strips (chicken breast tends to become too dry for this dish). For pork, use pork shoulder steaks sliced into strips, as I find these work best for a stir-fry type dish.

Add some maple syrup/honey: If you like a bit a sweeter flavour to sweet chilli beef, you can add in a little maple syrup or honey, just 1-2 tablespoons is enough.

Sweet Chilli Beef on a white plate, sprinkled with spring onions

Sides for Sweet Chilli Beef

Every week I buy these handy bags of shredded vegetables as they are perfect for stir-fries to serve with dishes like this sweet chilli beef. The bag usually contains shredded carrots, kale, broccoli stalks, cabbage, Brussels etc, which are all really good just stir fried in a little cooking oil spray with some salt and black pepper.

Any stir-fried vegetables of your choice would go well with this, for example:

  • Carrots
  • Shredded Cabbage
  • Mange Tout
  • Mushrooms
  • Peppers
  • Onion
  • Broccoli
  • Baby Corn
  • and if you like additional heat you can even add in some chopped red chilis

For my sweet chilli beef is not complete without a side of rice, either just basic jasmine rice or for a complete Fakeaway meal my perfect Egg Fried Rice Recipe or for a lower calorie/carb meal try this recipe for Egg Fried Cauliflower Rice - yum!!

More Chinese Style Recipes

Love Chinese style recipes like this Sweet Chilli Beef? Check out these other fakeaway dishes:

or if you would like more recipe ideas or sides to make with this recipe - head on over to the FULL RECIPE INDEX where you will find over 900 delicious recipes with calories and you can search by meal type, ingredients, course, diet and more.

Sweet Chilli Beef FAQ

Can I use a low calorie spray?

This is not recommend for this recipe, as you won't get same sear on the strips of beef

Is this dish suitable for freezing

While there is nothing in this dish that can't be frozen, it is best enjoyed once cooked. It's not a dish that has a lot of sauce so would not be ideal for reheating.

close up of Sweet Chilli Beef on a white plate, sprinkled with spring onions

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Sweet Chilli Beef (Stove Top or Air Fryer)

Sweet Chilli Beef (Stove Top or Air Fryer)

Yield: SERVES 3
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Sizzle into the flavours of the Far East with our Sweet Chilli Beef – tender strips of beef in a delicious sweet chilli sauce, bringing the magic of a Chinese Fakeaway night right to your table

Ingredients

  • 450g (1lb) of sirloin steak (or similar cut of steak), trimmed of fat and sliced into strips
  • 1 tablespoon of cornstarch (or arrowroot powder or tapioca)
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil (or use a similar high smoke point oil)
  • 2 tablespoons of sweet chilli sauce
  • 2 tablespoon of soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
  • 150ml of water (100ml for air fryer method)
  • 2 spring onions, finely chopped

Instructions

Stove Top:

  1. In a bowl, whisk together the sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce, garlic powder, tomato paste and water.
  2. Set aside
  3. Pat the beef strips dry with some kitchen paper
  4. Add the beef strips to a bowl with the starch and a pinch of salt and toss to coat
  5. Heat a wok over a medium high heat and let it get hot before adding 1 teaspoon of the oil.
  6. Add half the beef strips, and fry till lightly golden, giving it a light toss occasionally.
  7. Remove from pan.
  8. Add the other teaspoon of oil and repeat with the remaining beef strips. Removing from the pan to start the sauce.
  9. Add the sauce ingredients to the pan and heat on medium high just until the sauce starts to thicken
  10. Lower heat. Add back the beef and lightly shake the pan to coat the beef in the sauce.
  11. Top with sliced spring onions.
  12. Serve with your choice of sides
  13. Enjoy!!

Air Fryer:

  1. Pat dry the steak with kitchen paper
  2. Place in a even layer on a large plate and sprinkle with the cornstarch and a pinch of salt, toss until evenly coated.
  3. Preheat air fryer to 200c or 400f for 3 minutes
  4. Add steak pieces to the air fryer grill pan in a even layer and drizzle with the oil
  5. Air fryer for 10-12 until golden and crispy (flipping over half way through cooking time.)
  6. Combine sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce, garlic powder, tomato paste and water in a jug or bowl and microwave for approx 3 mins until it reduces down slightly
  7. Transfer beef strips to oven dish that fits in air fryer.
  8. Pour in sauce, toss to coat and air fry for a further minute or 2 until heated through and sauce just coats the beef.
  9. Sprinkle with chopped spring onions.
  10. Serve with your favourite sides and enjoy. I served with stir fried veg and rice.

Actifry:

  1. In a bowl, whisk together the sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce, tomato paste and water.
  2. Set aside
  3. Pat the beef strips dry with some kitchen paper
  4. Add the beef strips to a bowl with the starch and a pinch of salt and toss to coat
  5. Add the oil to the Actifry and set it for 5 minutes (without beef) to heat the oil.
  6. Add in the beef and cook for 7 mins, (it should have a slightly golden coating.
  7. While the beef cooks for 7 minutes.
  8. Add the sauce to a small saucepan and heat on a high heat until it reduces down and thickens a little.
  9. When the beef has cooked, add in the sauce to the Actifry with the beef and cook for an additional 5 minutes, so the sauce coats the beef.
  10. Sprinkle with chopped spring onions and serve with your choice of sides.
  11. Enjoy!!

Notes

Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:

  • Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
  • WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs -   due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values. 
  • Gluten Free - use gluten free. soy sauce

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Nutrition Information
Yield 3 Serving Size 1 SERVING
Amount Per Serving Calories 300Total Fat 10.1gSaturated Fat 3.1gTrans Fat 0gSodium 825mgCarbohydrates 9.7gFiber 0.4gSugar 5gProtein 40.1g

Nutritional information, points etc are an estimate and is to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary greatly from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information. It is always advised that you calculate by the ingredients you use.

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© Siobhan (Slimming Eats)
Cuisine: Chinese / Category: Main

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marian Hughes says

    This looks amazing. Could I substitute Xanthan Gum for the cornflour?

  2. admin says

    yes I am sure that will work 🙂

  3. Tracey says

    This looks lovely, could I use fry light instead of the oil?

  4. Shevy (Slimming Eats) says

    you could try, but because of the coating, I am not sure you would get as good a result with spray oil 🙂

  5. Laura McAskill says

    Another stunning slimming friendly meal by slimming eats! Made this with egg fried rice and my fiance and i loved it!

  6. Dawn says

    Could you freeze this?

  7. Shevy (Slimming Eats) says

    Hi Dawn, this would be best eaten on the day it is made. Although all the ingredients will freeze fine, I am not sure it would heat well once defrosted.

  8. A Johnstone says

    We have just thouroughly enjoyed this sticky beef served over a bed of seasoned wholegrain rice. Super quick and easy and packed with flavour! This is a new fav in my house 🙂

  9. Shevy (Slimming Eats) says

    so happy to hear you enjoyed this dish, thank you for coming back and commenting.

  10. Melanie Berne says

    Really delicious recipe! All my family loved it, one of our favourites!
    Ps wanted to give it a 5 star rating but it has only allowed me to give it 4.

  11. Sandra Webster says

    Perfect fakeaway dish, enjoyed by the whole family. Served it with rice and stir fried veg. Thank you.

  12. rebecca bowen says

    looks amazing - is cornstarch the same as cornflour?

  13. Shevy (Slimming Eats) says

    Hi Rebecca, yes they are the same 🙂

  14. Alison says

    Can I use cooked leftover roast beef

  15. Shevy (Slimming Eats) says

    Hi Alison - I recommend using raw beef for this, you could do the sweet chilli sauce for it, but I would skip the coating part.

  16. Tracey Roberts says

    Delicious!!

  17. Shevy (Slimming Eats) says

    So glad you enjoyed it Tracey - thanks for commenting.

  18. Lisa Nahedh says

    Love this great taste & super quick to make, I served it with stir fried broccoli & boiled rice

  19. Michelle Curran says

    JUst tried this tonight. Was a very big hit with Hubbie and kids. Really very tasty dish. Clean plates and full bellies all around!
    Delighted with taste as some healthy options can be so tasteless. This was very yummy and will be a new favourite in our house.

  20. Food to heart says

    I totally agree with you. When it comes to use a wok on electric hob, it is never gonna work the same as it does on gas ones. I too prefer (and own) ceramic frying pans. Besides being much more easy to clean compared to cast iron say, they are way cuter:)
    I really like your recipe, though I make my beef strips differently, I will try yours once.
    Judging from the photos it's extremely delicious, they look glorious!
    Keep up the great work, your blog is amazing.

  21. Laura Moylan says

    How would it impact the recipe if I used dark soy sauce. It's all I have in the cupboard lol

  22. Madeline says

    Going to try this it’s looks so good

  23. Hazel says

    OMG these are amazing!!!

  24. Shevy (Slimming Eats) says

    it should be fine, it will just be slightly darker in colour 🙂

  25. Katherine says

    These are amazing. I made them instead of our usual high calorie Saturday night takeaway and wow they are delicious. Both the beef and the fried rice are so authentic tasting I could not believe they were low syn dishes. So impressed I have signed up to your newsletter and on facebook. Thank you for such great recipes.

  26. Shevy (Slimming Eats) says

    Thanks so much for a lovely comment Katherine. I am so glad you enjoyed the recipes and hope you continue to enjoy many more.

  27. Marie says

    Hi when using a actifryer do you take the paddle out ?

  28. Shevy (Slimming Eats) says

    Nope I left the paddle in

  29. Gill says

    Made this last night and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Can you clarify one thing for me please - when your recipes call for soy sauce is this dark or light please as I know the light one is much saltier than the dark?

  30. Shevy (Slimming Eats) says

    I tend to use Kikkoman soy sauce. Hope that helps 🙂

  31. Carol Kelly says

    Absolutely gorgeous!! From a girl who would never ever eat chilli!! I’m converted

  32. Katie says

    Absolutely loved this for dinner tonight! Thank you! 🙂

  33. Michelle says

    your recipes are amazing! do you have a recipe.book.availanle to.buy online? thank you x

  34. Marie (me) says

    Hi Siobhan, loving all the fab recipes x I have made this and it was great but was wondering whether it could be made with chicken? Xx

  35. Shevy (Slimming Eats) says

    yes chicken thigh should work well in this.

  36. Amy Smith says

    Can you reheat this the next day if there are any leftovers?

  37. Shevy (Slimming Eats) says

    it's best enjoyed once cooked, but should reheat okay. 🙂

  38. Ann says

    So delicious !
    Thank you

  39. Beth says

    Hi 🙂 would dived beef work for this too? It sounds amazing 🙂 x

  40. Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says

    If you mean stewing beef, I personally wouldnt use it, as it requires a slow longer cook, this is quick stir fry style dish, so stir fry beef or sirloin steak etc is the best choice for this.

  41. Cheryl says

    I made this yesterday for my family and they loved it. I never knew dieting could tast so good

  42. Tracey says

    Could it work if I sustituted finely chopped chilli and a bit of sukrin gold instead if sweet chilli sauce?

  43. Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says

    No I wouldn't do that, you won't get the same glossy sauce and it won't reduce down the same way, it needs the sugar.

  44. sarah hatch says

    Can anyone tell me how many calories are in each portion?

  45. Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says

    estimated nutritional information is shown at the bottom of the recipe box. Enjoy!!

  46. Jen7954 says

    Made this last night Siobhan....deeeelicious! clean plates all round! very easy recipe to follow...thank you for sharing!

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