Description
This Thai Hot and Spicy Beef recipe delivers a quick and flavorful stir-fry meal featuring tender slices of beef cooked with aromatic kaffir lime leaves, fiery red curry paste, and fresh chilies, balanced by savory oyster and fish sauces. Perfect for a fast weeknight dinner, it pairs wonderfully with fragrant jasmine rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Stir-Fry
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 tablespoon red curry paste
- 4 kaffir lime leaves, torn
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 chilies, sliced (adjust for heat)
- 10 ounces beef, sliced thin against the grain
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- ½ tablespoon fish sauce
- ½ tablespoon white sugar
- 3 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Place a wok or large skillet over medium heat and add the oil. Allow it to heat until shimmering but not smoking, preparing it for stir-frying.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the red curry paste, torn kaffir lime leaves, minced garlic, and sliced chilies to the hot oil. Stir-fry these ingredients for about 20 seconds until they become fragrant, releasing their flavors into the oil.
- Cook the beef: Add the thinly sliced beef to the wok and stir-fry quickly, cooking it until it is just done. This should retain tenderness and prevent the beef from becoming tough.
- Add sauces and sugar: Stir in the oyster sauce, fish sauce, white sugar, and water. Mix thoroughly until the sugar has dissolved completely and the sauce is evenly combined with the beef and aromatics.
- Serve immediately: Remove the wok from heat and plate the hot and spicy beef immediately. It is best enjoyed freshly cooked alongside steamed jasmine rice to complement the dish’s bold flavors.
Notes
- For a milder dish, reduce the number of chilies or remove seeds before slicing.
- Beef slices should be thin and cut against the grain for maximum tenderness.
- Use fresh kaffir lime leaves if possible for a more authentic citrus aroma; dried can be substituted but with less intensity.
- If you prefer vegetarian, substitute beef with firm tofu and use vegetarian oyster sauce.
- Serve with jasmine rice or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
