Easy Chinese Style Tender Steak at Home | Sweet and Sour Twist

beef steak

🥗Healthier: chicken breast

💰Cheaper: pork

Chicken is leaner and pork is often less expensive.

soy sauce

🥗Healthier: low-sodium soy sauce

💰Cheaper: tamari

Low-sodium reduces salt intake while tamari is often cheaper.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: agave syrup

Honey is a natural sweetener and agave syrup is often less costly.

cornstarch

🥗Healthier: arrowroot powder

💰Cheaper: potato starch

Arrowroot is a healthier thickener, while potato starch is usually cheaper.

Slice the beef tenderloin about the width of your finger.

Use the back of the knife to gently tap the beef to tenderize it.

Add baking soda to the beef for extra tenderness.

Add soy sauce to the beef for flavor.

Add water in two batches to allow the beef to absorb moisture.

Sprinkle cornstarch over the beef and mix it in.

Drizzle cooking oil over the beef and mix with hands; set aside to rest for 15 minutes.

Prepare the sweet and sour sauce by melting 3 tablespoons of Rock Sugar with 4 tablespoons of hot water in the microwave.

Add 4 tablespoons of ketchup, half a tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, and half a teaspoon of salt to the melted sugar; mix until smooth.

Slice half an onion and set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a skillet until slightly smoking, then add the steaks one by one and pan-fry in batches.

Cook the steaks until the edges start to change color, about 70% done, and set aside.

In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of cooking oil and sauté the onions until translucent and golden brown.

Pour in the prepared sweet and sour sauce and bring to a boil until thickened.

Add the seared steaks to the sauce and coat evenly.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens