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    Home > Blog > Beef > Kung Pao Beef

    Kung Pao Beef

    by Jenny Park · Published: Sep 20, 2022

    Jump to Recipe
    The most tender, delicious and flavorful Kung Pao Beef you'll ever taste! Our recipe comes together in just 30 minutes for an authentic tasting takeout dinner made right at home!
    Kung pao beef in a skillet with rice on the side.
    Kung pao beef in a skillet with rice on the side.
    Kung pao beef in two bowls over rice.
    Kung pao beef in a skillet with rice on the side.
    Kung pao beef in two bowls over rice.
    Kung pao beef in a skillet with rice on the side.
    Kung pao beef in a skillet.

    Most people have heard of and tried kung pao chicken, but have you heard of Kung Pao Beef? It’s the beefy version of kung pao chicken and on man is it delicious! It’s so quick and easy to make, packed with tons of flavors with a great (but not overwhelming) amount of heat!

    Our kung pao beef recipe is not only easy to make, but come together in just 30 minutes. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner for busy nights. Just serve with a side of steamed rice or garlic noodles for a dinner that everyone will love!

    How to Make Kung Pao Beef

    Beef Ingredients

    Kung Pao beef ingredients.

    Beef Process

    1. Cut flank steak in half (with the grain), then thinly slice steak across the grain(on a bias) into 2 inch pieces.
    2. Transfer beef to a bowl and sprinkle with cornstarch, salt and Szechuan pepper. Toss together and set aside for 10 minutes.
    Flank steak being sliced for kung pao beef.
    Kung pao beef flank steak in a bowl with seasonings.
    1. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil and steak pieces. Sear steak on each side for 1 to 2 minutes (do this in batches to prevent overcrowding the pan).
    2. Remove steak from skillet and transfer to a plate.
    Kung pao beef being cooked in a skillet.
    Kung pao beef resting on a plate.

    Sauce Ingredients

    Sauce ingredients for Kung Pao on a kitchen table.

    Sauce Process

    1. Pour all sauce ingredients into a small bowl or liquid measuring cup.
    2. Whisk together.
    Kung pao sauce ingredients in a bowl.
    Kung pao sauce ingredients whisked together.

    Assembly Ingredients

    Kung Pao beef ingredients

    Assembly Process

    1. Pour remaining oil into skillet and sauté onion and bell peppers for 2 to 3 minutes.
    2. Add garlic, ginger and dried chiles and continue to sauté for 1 to 2 minutes.
    Peppers and onions cooking in a skillet.
    Peppers and onions cooking in a skillet for kung pao beef.
    1. Pour sauce over vegetable mixture and simmer for 1 minute, until sauce begins to thicken.
    2. Add beef back into skillet and stir together to coat. Lower heat to medium and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.
    Kung pao sauce cooking in a skillet.
    Kung pao beef cooking in a skillet.
    1. Stir peanuts and green onion into skillet until evenly distributed. Remove kung pao beef from heat and serve.
    Kung pao beef cooking in a skillet.

    What is Chinese Black Vinegar?

    Chinese black vinegar is a vinegar made from fermented steamed black rice. It’s is much more that an acidic hit to a dish, like most vinegars. It’s aromatic as well as acidic and adds a deep and delicious umami flavor to dishes. A small amount always goes a long way and we highly recommend having a bottle in your pantry for whenever you’re making Chinese takeout dishes at home. It really helps to provide an authentic flavor to each dish.

    If you’re unable to find black vinegar, you can substitute it with a mixture of rice wine vinegar with a small splash of balsamic vinegar. The flavor won’t be the exact same, but the kung pao beef recipe will still be delicious.

    Kung pao beef in two bowls over rice.

    Is Kung Pao Beef Healthy?

    Kung pao beef is considered a healthier Chinese takeout dish because it’s neither breaded or deep fried.

    Tips for Making Kung Pao Beef

    • Freeze the flank steak for about 20 minutes before slicing, to help achieve the super thin and even slices of beef.
    • Chinese black vinegar and Szechuan pepper are important components to the dish, and we highly recommend not skipping them.
    • The beef in our kung pao beef recipe is easily replaceable with other proteins such as chicken and shrimp. Cooking times for alternative proteins will slightly vary, so plan accordingly.
    • If you’re unable to find flank steak, NY strip steak or sirloin steak work very well.
    • Make this dish up to 3 days ahead of time for an easy make ahead/reheat meal (leftovers taste fantastic too!).
    • Adjust the heat based on personal preference by cutting the amount of chili paste and dried peppers used.
    Kung pao beef in a skillet with rice on the side.

    More Delicious and Easy Asian Recipes You Will Love

    • Orange chicken recipe in a bowl with rice on the side.
      Orange Chicken Recipe
    • Char siu pork on a cutting board.
      Easy Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)
    • Mongolian Beef recipe in a platter ready to be served.
      Mongolian Beef Recipe
    • Okonomiyaki on a plate with fork next to it.
      Okonomiyaki

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    Kung Pao Beef recipe in a skillet.

    Kung Pao Beef

    5 from 2 votes
    PRINT RECIPE Pin Recipe
    The most tender, delicious and flavorful Kung Pao Beef you'll ever taste! Our recipe comes together in just 30 minutes for an authentic tasting takeout dinner made right at home!
    RECIPE BY Teri & Jenny
    Prep Time: 5 mins
    Cook Time: 15 mins
    velveting time: 10 mins
    Total Time: 30 mins
    Servings: 3

      INGREDIENTS  

    beef

    • 1 pound flank steak
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 3/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon Szechuan pepper

    sauce

    • 5 tablespoons water
    • 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
    • 2 tablespoons Chinese black vinegar
    • 2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
    • 1 1/2 tablespoons chile paste
    • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or sherry cooking wine)
    • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
    • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon Szechuan pepper

    rest of dish

    • 2 1/2 tablespoons neutral oil divided
    • 1/4 chopped yellow onion
    • 1 seeded and chopped red bell pepper
    • 3 minced garlic cloves
    • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
    • 6 dried chiles halved crosswise
    • 2/3 cup unsalted, dry roasted peanuts
    • 1 green onion cut into 1 inch pieces

      INSTRUCTIONS  

    • Cut flank steak in half (with the grain), then thinly slice steak across the grain(on a bias) into 2 inch pieces.
    • Transfer beef to a bowl and sprinkle with cornstarch, salt and Szechuan pepper. Toss together and set aside for 10 minutes.
    • Pour all sauce ingredients into a small bowl or liquid measuring cup. Whisk together.
    • Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil and steak pieces. Sear steak on each side for 1 to 2 minutes (do this in batches to prevent overcrowding the pan)
    • Remove steak from skillet and transfer to a plate.
    • Pour remaining oil into skillet and sauté onion and bell peppers for 2 to 3 minutes.
    • Add garlic, ginger and dried chiles and continue to sauté for 1 to 2 minutes.
    • Pour sauce over vegetable mixture and simmer for 1 minute, until sauce begins to thicken.
    • Add beef back into skillet and stir together to coat. Lower heat to medium and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.
    • Stir peanuts and green onion into skillet until evenly distributed. Remove kung pao beef from heat and serve.

      NOTES  

    Tips for Making Kung Pao Beef
    • Freeze the flank steak for about 20 minutes before slicing, to help achieve the super thin and even slices of beef.
    • Chinese black vinegar and Szechuan pepper are important components to the dish, and we highly recommend not skipping them.
    • The beef in our kung pao beef recipe is easily replaceable with other proteins such as chicken and shrimp. Cooking times for alternative proteins will slightly vary, so plan accordingly.
    • If you’re unable to find flank steak, NY strip steak or sirloin steak work very well.
    • Make this dish up to 3 days ahead of time for an easy make ahead/reheat meal (leftovers taste fantastic too!).
    Calories: 635kcal Carbohydrates: 32g Protein: 44g Fat: 37g Saturated Fat: 7g Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g Monounsaturated Fat: 20g Trans Fat: 0.05g Cholesterol: 91mg Sodium: 1981mg Potassium: 990mg Fiber: 5g Sugar: 16g Vitamin A: 1571IU Vitamin C: 55mg Calcium: 83mg Iron: 4mg
    CUISINE: Chinese
    KEYWORD: chinese takeout at home, quick and easy kung pao beef
    COURSE: dinner, Main Course, main dish

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    September 20, 2022 / 2 Comments

    About Jenny Park

    Jenny Park is half of Spoon Fork Bacon. She is also a food stylist and recipe developer. One of her favorite foods is donuts. #sfbJENNY

    Previous Post: < Previous Post Baked Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich with Honey
    Next Post: Butter Chicken Recipe (Murgh Makhani) Next Post >

    Reader Interactions

    September 20, 2022 / 2 Comments

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    1. Tawny

      September 20, 2022 at 11:04 am

      What KIND of dried chilis? I assume not ancho as they’ll add smoke…is arbol alright?

      Reply
      • Jenny Park

        September 20, 2022 at 12:49 pm

        I usually use Thai dried chiles

        Reply

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