This vibrant and delectable Spicy Tangerine Beef with Carrot Ribbons recipe brings together the umami-rich flavors of beef and soy with the sweet and tangy notes of tangerine. The spice element is perfectly balanced, not too overpowering, allowing each flavor to shine through. With a hint of heat and a pop of citrus, this dish is a feast for the senses, and the carrot ribbons add a delightful texture contrast.
While most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry staples like soy sauce, honey, and cornstarch, there are a few that you might need to look for. Flank steak, a flavorful and lean cut of beef, can be found in most supermarkets' meat sections. The chili garlic paste might be located in the international or Asian aisle. Tangerines are typically in the produce section, but you could also use tangerine juice from the juice aisle. Lastly, hoisin sauce is a sweet and tangy sauce found in the Asian section.
Spicy Tangerine Beef Ingredients and Carrot Ribbons Preparation
Lite soy sauce: This is a less salty version of regular soy sauce and helps marinate the beef.
Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce to coat the beef and vegetables.
Flank steak: A lean cut of beef that's perfect for quick, high-heat cooking.
Cooking sherry: Adds a depth of flavor to the sauce.
Hoisin sauce: A sweet and tangy sauce that compliments the beef.
Honey: Sweetness to balance the salty flavors.
Chili garlic paste: Adds heat and flavor to the sauce.
Tangerine juice: Provides a sweet citrus flavor to the dish.Canola oil: Used for frying the beef and vegetables.
Fresh ginger: Adds a warm, spicy flavor.
Scallions: Gives a mild onion flavor and a pop of green color.
Tangerine: For zest and fresh slices for garnish.
Sesame seeds: Adds a nutty flavor and crunchy texture.
Large carrot: Provides a sweet, earthy taste and a vibrant pop of color.
One reader, Berenice Langlois says:
This spicy tangerine beef with carrot ribbons recipe is a game-changer! The flavors are a delightful fusion of sweet and spicy, and the tender beef paired with the crunchy carrot ribbons is a match made in heaven. It's a must-try for anyone looking to spice up their dinner routine!
Techniques Required for Spicy Tangerine Beef With Carrot Ribbons Recipe
How to marinate the beef: Combine the lite soy sauce, cornstarch, and sliced beef in a ziplock bag, shake to combine, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
How to make the tangerine beef sauce: In a small cup, mix the cooking sherry, hoisin sauce, honey, chili garlic paste, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and tangerine juice.
How to cook the beef: Sear the beef on high heat in a skillet or wok, ensuring a quick sear on both sides.
How to cook the carrot ribbons: Add the ginger and carrot ribbons to the pan, cooking for 45-60 seconds until the carrots are just softening.
How to thicken the sauce: Add the sauce mixture back into the pan, combine with the beef, and cook until the sauce has just thickened.
How to garnish and serve: Garnish the dish with scallions, tangerine zest, and sesame seeds, and serve over rice.
How To Make Spicy Tangerine Beef with Carrot Ribbons
Enjoy a hearty serving of our tender and tangy tangerine beef for dinner tonight! It’s also served with flavorful carrots with a tastier meal.
Serves:
Ingredients
- ¼cuplite soy sauce
- 1tbspcornstarch
- 1lbflank steak,cut in ¼-inch thick slices
- 2tbspcooking sherry
- 2tbsphoisin sauce
- 2tbsphoney
- 2tspchili garlic paste,or Sriracha
- 2tbspsoy sauce
- ¼cuptangerine juice,freshly squeezed
- 3tbspcanola oil
- 2tbspfresh ginger,minced
- 3scallions,chopped
- 1tangerine,zested
- 2tbspsesame seeds,toasted
- 1large carrot,shaved with vegetable peeler
Instructions
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Add ¼ cup of lite soy sauce, cornstarch and sliced beef to a Ziploc bag. Shake to combine.
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Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
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Add the cooking sherry, hoisin, honey, chili garlic paste, soy sauce and tangerine juice to a small cup, then stir to combine.
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Heat a skillet or a wok on high, then add the oil to the pan.
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Cook the beef on high heat quickly, searing on both sides.
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Add the ginger and carrot ribbons into the pan.
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Cook for 45 to 60 seconds, tossing until the carrots are just softening, then add the sauce mixture back into the pan.
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Add in the beef, then combine and cook until the sauce has just thickened.
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Garnish with scallions, tangerine zest and sesame seeds.
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Serve over rice, and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 413.24kcal
- Fat: 22.65g
- Saturated Fat: 5.07g
- Trans Fat: 0.04g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 11.43g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 4.54g
- Carbohydrates: 23.25g
- Fiber: 2.01g
- Sugar: 14.47g
- Protein: 27.92g
- Cholesterol: 77.35mg
- Sodium: 1220.21mg
- Calcium: 108.18mg
- Potassium: 653.94mg
- Iron: 3.20mg
- Vitamin A: 160.34µg
- Vitamin C: 10.52mg
Helpful Technique Tip for Making Spicy Tangerine Beef
When preparing the carrot ribbons, use a vegetable peeler to create thin, even strips. This not only ensures that they cook quickly and evenly, but also adds a visually appealing element to the dish. Additionally, when searing the beef, make sure the pan is very hot before adding the meat. This will give it a nice, caramelized exterior without overcooking the inside. Remember, the goal is a quick sear on both sides, not to fully cook the beef during this step.
Time-Saving Tips for Making This Tangerine Beef Recipe
Prep ahead: Marinate the beef the night before to save time on the day of cooking.
Use pre-sliced carrots: Purchase pre-sliced carrots to skip the step of slicing them yourself.
Multi-task: While the beef is marinating, prepare the sauce and gather all the other ingredients to streamline the cooking process.
Invest in a good knife: A sharp knife will make slicing the beef and carrots quicker and more efficient.
Organize your workspace: Before you start cooking, make sure all your ingredients and cooking utensils are easily accessible to avoid any last-minute scrambling.
Substitute Ingredients For Spicy Tangerine Beef with Carrot Ribbons Recipe
lite soy sauce - Substitute with low-sodium soy sauce: Low-sodium soy sauce has a similar flavor profile and will help reduce the overall sodium content of the dish.
flank steak - Substitute with skirt steak: Skirt steak has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a suitable substitute for flank steak in this recipe.
cooking sherry - Substitute with rice vinegar: Rice vinegar can provide a similar tangy flavor and acidity to the dish as cooking sherry.
hoisin sauce - Substitute with plum sauce: Plum sauce has a similar sweet and tangy flavor, making it a suitable substitute for hoisin sauce.
chili garlic paste - Substitute with sriracha: Sriracha can provide a similar level of heat and garlic flavor to the dish.
canola oil - Substitute with vegetable oil: Vegetable oil can be used as a substitute for canola oil in this recipe without significantly altering the flavor or texture.
tangerine juice - Substitute with orange juice: Orange juice can provide a similar citrusy flavor to the dish as tangerine juice.
fresh ginger - Substitute with ground ginger: Ground ginger can be used as a substitute for fresh ginger in this recipe, providing a similar flavor with a different texture.
scallions - Substitute with chives: Chives can provide a similar mild onion flavor and can be used as a substitute for scallions.
tangerine - Substitute with orange: Oranges can be used as a substitute for tangerines, providing a similar citrusy flavor to the dish.
sesame seeds - Substitute with chopped peanuts: Chopped peanuts can provide a similar nutty flavor and crunch as sesame seeds in this recipe.
large carrot - Substitute with zucchini: Thinly sliced zucchini ribbons can be used as a substitute for carrot ribbons, adding a similar crunch and texture to the dish.
Best Way to Present Spicy Tangerine Beef With Carrot Ribbons
Elevate the plating: Arrange the tangerine beef and carrot ribbons in a visually appealing manner, ensuring that each component is showcased beautifully on the plate.
Incorporate vibrant colors: Integrate the bright hues of the tangerine, scallions, and carrot ribbons to create a visually striking and appetizing presentation.
Garnish with precision: Sprinkle the dish with sesame seeds and finely grated tangerine zest to add a pop of color and a burst of citrus aroma.
Emphasize balance and symmetry: Arrange the components in a balanced and symmetrical manner, creating a visually pleasing and harmonious presentation.
Utilize negative space: Allow the plate to breathe by strategically placing the components, ensuring that the dish looks elegant and refined.
Highlight the textures: Showcase the tender beef, crisp carrot ribbons, and the glossy sauce to emphasize the diverse textures of the dish.
Incorporate a touch of elegance: Consider using fine china or elegant plating to elevate the overall dining experience and create a sense of sophistication.
Essential Tools for Making This Tangerine Beef Dish
- Ziploc bag: A plastic bag with a secure seal, used for marinating and storing food.
- Skillet or wok: A flat-bottomed pan with sloping sides, used for stir-frying and cooking various dishes.
- Small cup: A container for mixing and combining liquid ingredients.
- Spatula: A kitchen tool with a broad, flat, blunt blade, used for mixing, spreading, and flipping ingredients.
- Cutting board: A durable board used as a surface for cutting and preparing ingredients.
- Knife: A sharp tool used for slicing, chopping, and preparing ingredients.
- Grater: A kitchen tool with sharp-edged perforations used to shred or grate ingredients.
- Zester: A tool used to remove the zest from citrus fruits.
- Measuring spoons: Utensils used to measure small amounts of liquid or dry ingredients.
- Can opener: A tool used to open canned food items.
- Cooking spoon: A long-handled spoon used for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
- Whisk: A utensil with a series of loops used for beating, blending, and incorporating air into ingredients.
- Tongs: A tool with two arms and a pivot used for gripping and lifting hot or delicate items.
- Grill or stovetop: A cooking surface used for grilling, searing, and cooking various dishes.
- Rice cooker: An appliance used for cooking rice and keeping it warm until ready to serve.
Storing and Freezing Instructions for Spicy Tangerine Beef With Carrot Ribbons
- Let the spicy tangerine beef cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3-4 days.
- To store the carrot ribbons, place them in a separate airtight container or resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for about 2-3 days.
- If you want to freeze the spicy tangerine beef, transfer it to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible before sealing to prevent freezer burn. Label the container with the date and contents. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
- To reheat the frozen spicy tangerine beef, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. Then, reheat it in a skillet or wok over medium heat until it's heated through and the sauce is bubbling. You may need to add a splash of water or tangerine juice to thin out the sauce if it has thickened too much.
- It's best to store the carrot ribbons separately from the beef and add them fresh when reheating. However, if you have leftovers with the carrots already mixed in, you can still freeze them together. Just keep in mind that the texture of the carrots may change slightly after being frozen and reheated.
How to Reheat Leftover Spicy Tangerine Beef
Reheat the spicy tangerine beef in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add a splash of water or broth to the pan to help steam the meat and prevent it from drying out. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
For a quick and easy method, reheat the beef and carrot ribbons in the microwave. Place the leftovers in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until heated through.
To maintain the crispy texture of the beef, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the leftovers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and reheat for 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through. This method will help the beef retain its crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender.
If you have leftover rice, create a delicious fried rice dish by stir-frying the rice with the reheated spicy tangerine beef and carrot ribbons. Add some beaten eggs, frozen peas, and chopped scallions for extra flavor and texture.
For a fresh twist, transform your leftovers into a spicy tangerine beef salad. Shred the reheated beef and serve it over a bed of mixed greens, thinly sliced red onions, and the leftover carrot ribbons. Drizzle with a tangy citrus vinaigrette for a light and refreshing meal.
Interesting Fact About Spicy Tangerine Beef With Carrot Ribbons
The recipe includes tangerine juice, which adds a tangy and citrusy flavor to the dish.
Is This Tangerine Beef Recipe Budget-Friendly for Home Cooking?
This spicy tangerine beef with carrot ribbons recipe offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The use of flank steak and tangerine juice adds a refreshing twist to a classic beef dish. The cost-effectiveness is moderate due to the use of some specialty ingredients, but the dish's vibrant flavors make it a worthwhile investment. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $25-30. Overall Verdict: 8.
Is This Tangerine Beef Recipe Healthy or Unhealthy?
The spicy tangerine beef with carrot ribbons recipe has both healthy and unhealthy aspects. On the positive side, the dish incorporates lean protein from the flank steak, which is essential for muscle growth and repair. The carrots provide a good source of vitamin A, promoting eye health and immune function. Tangerines offer vitamin C, supporting collagen production and overall immunity. Ginger and scallions add flavor while providing anti-inflammatory properties.
However, the recipe also includes some less healthy components. The use of hoisin sauce, honey, and a significant amount of soy sauce can contribute to high sodium and sugar levels. The cornstarch used for coating the beef may add unnecessary calories and carbohydrates. Additionally, the cooking method involves frying the beef in canola oil, which can be high in unhealthy fats when consumed in excess.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Reduce the amount of soy sauce and hoisin sauce to lower the sodium content
- Opt for low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos as a healthier alternative
- Replace the honey with a natural sweetener like stevia or monk fruit to decrease added sugars
- Use a healthier cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil or coconut oil
- Increase the proportion of vegetables in the dish, adding more carrots or other nutrient-dense options like bell peppers or broccoli
- Serve the beef and vegetables over a bed of cauliflower rice or quinoa instead of white rice for added fiber and nutrients
By making these adjustments, you can enhance the nutritional value of the spicy tangerine beef with carrot ribbons while still enjoying its bold flavors and textures.
Editor's Opinion on Spicy Tangerine Beef With Carrot Ribbons Recipe
The combination of tangy tangerine juice, spicy chili garlic paste, and savory hoisin sauce creates a delightful flavor profile in this dish. The quick sear on the beef ensures a tender texture, while the addition of carrot ribbons adds a lovely crunch. The use of fresh ginger and scallions enhances the overall aroma and taste. The dish is well-balanced and visually appealing, making it a delightful addition to any meal.
Enhance Your Spicy Tangerine Beef with Carrot Ribbons Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Why trust this Spicy Tangerine Beef with Carrot Ribbons Recipe:
This recipe for Spicy Tangerine Beef with Carrot Ribbons is a delightful fusion of flavors and textures. The combination of tangerine juice and chili garlic paste creates a zesty and spicy marinade that infuses the tender flank steak with vibrant flavors. The addition of hoisin sauce and honey adds a touch of sweetness, balancing the heat. The use of fresh ginger and scallions enhances the aromatic profile, while the delicate carrot ribbons provide a crisp and colorful element. This recipe promises a tantalizing experience for your taste buds.
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