Recreate the delicious flavors of Panda Express's Shanghai Angus Steak right in your own kitchen. This dish combines tender sirloin steak with crisp green beans, white onions, and savory white mushrooms in a rich sauce that will tantalize your taste buds. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this recipe is sure to impress.
Photos of Copycat Panda Express Shanghai Angus Steak Recipe
While most of the ingredients are familiar pantry staples, you might need to pay special attention to Chinese rice wine and kecap manis. Chinese rice wine adds a unique depth of flavor, whereas kecap manis is a sweet soy sauce that enriches the overall taste. Both can typically be found in the international aisle of your supermarket or at an Asian grocery store.
Ingredients for Copycat Panda Express Shanghai Angus Steak Recipe
Sirloin steak: A tender cut of beef that absorbs flavors well and cooks quickly.
Green beans: Adds a fresh, crisp texture to the dish.
White onion: Provides a sweet and savory base flavor.
White mushrooms: Adds an earthy flavor and texture.
Garlic: Infuses the dish with a rich, aromatic taste.
Cornstarch: Helps to thicken the sauce and coat the steak.
Sesame oil: Enhances the dish with a nutty flavor.
Chinese rice wine: Adds depth and complexity to the sauce.
Kecap manis: A sweet soy sauce that enriches the overall flavor.
Worcestershire sauce: Provides a tangy, umami element to the sauce.
One reader, Kingsley Pressley says:
This copycat Panda Express Shanghai Angus Steak recipe is fantastic! The flavors are spot on, and it’s surprisingly easy to make. The steak is tender, and the sauce is deliciously savory. My family loved it, and it’s definitely going into our regular dinner rotation. Highly recommend!
Techniques Required for Making Copycat Panda Express Shanghai Angus Steak
How to slice beef: Ensure the sirloin steak is sliced thinly against the grain to maintain tenderness. How to heat a wok: Preheat the wok on high heat until the oil ripples, indicating it is hot enough for cooking. How to stir-fry: Continuously stir the garlic and onions to prevent burning and ensure even cooking. How to sear steak: Allow the steak to cook undisturbed for 3 minutes on each side to develop a good sear. How to thicken sauce: Let the mixture cook for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and coat the ingredients evenly.
How To Make Panda Express Shanghai Angus Steak
For an Asian-take on a beef dish, this Panda Express Shanghai Angus Steak is easy to make and very flavorful, with beef strips, beans, and mushrooms.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 16ozsirloin steak,cut into 1-inch long bites that are ½-inch thick
- 12ozgreen beans ,fresh, trimmed
- ½white onion ,medium, sliced into 1-inch wedges
- 8ozwhite mushrooms,sliced
- 3clovesgarlic,minced
- 1tbspcornstarch
- 2tbspsesame oil
- ½cupChinese rice wine
- 4tspKecap Manis
- 2tbspWorcestershire sauce
Instructions
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Add the sliced beef to a bowl with one tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.
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Heat the wok on high, add the sesame oil and let it get hot until the oil ripples a bit.
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Add the garlic and onions, stir constantly for a minute.
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Add the mushrooms and let it brown for a couple of minutes before stirring.
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Remove the vegetables from the pan and add the steak.
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Let the steak sear for 3 minutes on each side.
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Add the green beans, Chinese Rice Wine, Kecap Manis and Worcestershire sauce, then stir.
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Add back in the garlic and onions and let the mixture cook for 2 to 3 minutes for the green beans to cook and for the sauce to thicken.
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Garnish with sesame seeds if desired.
Nutrition
- Calories: 407.28kcal
- Fat: 23.43g
- Saturated Fat: 7.58g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 9.65g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.66g
- Carbohydrates: 15.18g
- Fiber: 3.24g
- Sugar: 5.45g
- Protein: 26.79g
- Cholesterol: 88.45mg
- Sodium: 441.97mg
- Calcium: 81.52mg
- Potassium: 840.38mg
- Iron: 3.45mg
- Vitamin A: 30.19µg
- Vitamin C: 14.53mg
Helpful Technique for Preparing Copycat Panda Express Shanghai Angus Steak
When searing the steak, ensure the pan is extremely hot to achieve a good caramelization. This will enhance the flavor and texture of the meat.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Recipe
Prep ingredients ahead: Slice the beef, onions, and mushrooms in advance to save time during cooking.
Use pre-trimmed green beans: Purchase pre-trimmed green beans to skip the trimming step.
Minced garlic: Use pre-minced garlic from a jar to save time on peeling and chopping.
High heat wok: Ensure your wok is preheated properly to speed up the cooking process.
Batch cooking: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick meal later.
Pre-mix sauces: Combine kecap manis, Chinese rice wine, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl beforehand.
Substitute Ingredients For Copycat Panda Express Shanghai Angus Steak Recipe
sirloin steak - Substitute with flank steak: Flank steak is a lean cut that absorbs marinades well and has a similar texture when cooked.
green beans - Substitute with snap peas: Snap peas offer a similar crunch and sweetness, making them a good alternative.
white onion - Substitute with yellow onion: Yellow onions have a slightly stronger flavor but work well in most recipes that call for white onions.
white mushrooms - Substitute with cremini mushrooms: Cremini mushrooms have a similar texture and a slightly deeper flavor, which can add more depth to the dish.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: If fresh garlic is unavailable, garlic powder can provide a similar flavor, though it lacks the texture of fresh cloves.
cornstarch - Substitute with arrowroot powder: Arrowroot powder is a great thickening agent and works similarly to cornstarch in sauces.
sesame oil - Substitute with peanut oil: Peanut oil has a high smoke point and a mild flavor, making it a good alternative for stir-frying.
chinese rice wine - Substitute with dry sherry: Dry sherry has a similar flavor profile and can be used in the same quantity as Chinese rice wine.
kecap manis - Substitute with soy sauce mixed with brown sugar: Mixing soy sauce with brown sugar can mimic the sweet and salty flavor of kecap manis.
worcestershire sauce - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce provides a similar umami flavor, though it lacks the complexity of Worcestershire sauce.
Presentation Ideas for Shanghai Angus Steak
Serve smaller portion sizes: Present the sirloin steak in elegant, bite-sized slices, ensuring each piece is perfectly seared and tender.
Use decoration: Garnish the dish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and a few fresh green beans arranged artistically on the plate.
Highlight colors: Arrange the white mushrooms and white onion slices in a way that contrasts beautifully with the vibrant green of the green beans.
Sauce presentation: Drizzle the thickened sauce made from chinese rice wine, kecap manis, and worcestershire sauce around the steak slices, creating an appetizing glaze.
Texture balance: Ensure the green beans are cooked to a crisp-tender texture, providing a delightful crunch that complements the tender steak and soft mushrooms.
Aromatic elements: Include finely chopped garlic and onions in the final presentation to add a burst of aroma and flavor.
Elegant plating: Use a large, white plate to allow each element of the dish to stand out, creating a sophisticated and clean presentation.
Finishing touch: Add a small sprig of fresh herbs, such as cilantro or parsley, to the center of the plate for a touch of color and freshness.
Essential Tools for Making Shanghai Angus Steak
Wok: A large, round-bottomed cooking vessel ideal for stir-frying ingredients quickly and evenly.
Sharp knife: Essential for slicing the sirloin steak, onions, and garlic with precision.
Cutting board: A sturdy surface to safely chop and prepare all your ingredients.
Mixing bowl: Used to combine the sliced beef with soy sauce and cornstarch.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for accurately measuring out the sesame oil, cornstarch, and other sauces.
Tongs: Useful for turning the steak to ensure it sears evenly on both sides.
Spatula: Handy for stirring the vegetables and mixing everything together in the wok.
Garlic press: Optional, but can be used to mince the garlic cloves quickly.
Serving dish: To present your finished Shanghai Angus Steak in a visually appealing manner.
Measuring cup: For measuring out the Chinese rice wine and kecap manis accurately.
Small bowl: To temporarily hold the cooked vegetables before adding them back into the wok.
Sesame seeds: Optional garnish to sprinkle over the finished dish for added flavor and presentation.
Storage and Freezing Instructions for Shanghai Angus Steak
Let the shanghai angus steak cool to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. This will prevent condensation from forming and keep the dish fresher for longer.
Store the leftover steak, vegetables, and sauce in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure the container or bag is sealed tightly to prevent any air from entering and drying out the food.
To reheat, simply transfer the desired portion to a microwave-safe dish and heat it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat the dish in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
If you want to freeze the shanghai angus steak for later consumption, transfer the cooled dish to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing it to prevent freezer burn.
Label the container or bag with the date and contents, so you can easily keep track of when it was frozen and what's inside.
Freeze the shanghai angus steak for up to 2-3 months. When you're ready to enjoy it again, thaw the dish in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it in the microwave or skillet as mentioned above.
Keep in mind that the texture of the steak and vegetables may change slightly after freezing and reheating, but the flavor should still be delicious.
How To Reheat Leftover Shanghai Angus Steak
Reheat the leftover shanghai angus steak in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a splash of sesame oil to the pan to prevent sticking and to enhance the flavor. Stir-fry the steak and vegetables for 3-4 minutes until heated through. This method helps maintain the texture and flavor of the dish.
For a more gentle reheating method, place the leftover steak and vegetables in a microwave-safe dish. Cover the dish with a damp paper towel to prevent the food from drying out. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the dish is heated through. This method is quick and convenient, but may result in slightly softer vegetables.
If you have time, reheat the shanghai angus steak in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftovers in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the dish is heated through. This method helps maintain the texture of the steak and vegetables, but may take longer than other methods.
For a crispy texture, reheat the leftover steak and vegetables under the broiler. Place the leftovers on a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the dish is heated through and slightly crispy on top. Keep a close eye on the food to prevent burning. This method works well for those who enjoy a slightly charred flavor.
If you have leftover rice, consider making a quick fried rice dish with the leftover shanghai angus steak. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet, add the rice and steak, and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until heated through. Add some soy sauce, sesame oil, and green onions for extra flavor. This method repurposes leftovers into a new and delicious dish.
Interesting Trivia About Shanghai Angus Steak
A random fact about this recipe is that kecap manis is a sweet soy sauce from Indonesia, which adds a unique depth of flavor and a hint of sweetness to the Shanghai Angus Steak.
Is Making Shanghai Angus Steak at Home Cost-Effective?
When evaluating the cost-effectiveness of this sirloin steak recipe, it scores a solid 7 out of 10. The green beans, white mushrooms, and white onion are relatively inexpensive, but the sirloin steak and specialty ingredients like Chinese rice wine and kecap manis can add up. For a household of 4, the approximate cost is around $25-$30 USD.
Is This Dish Healthy or Unhealthy?
The copycat Panda Express Shanghai Angus Steak recipe is a relatively healthy dish with a few areas for improvement. The recipe includes lean sirloin steak, which is a good source of protein, and vegetables like green beans, onions, and mushrooms, which provide essential vitamins and minerals. The use of garlic also adds flavor and potential health benefits. However, the recipe does contain some ingredients that may not be considered entirely healthy, such as sesame oil and Chinese rice wine, which are high in calories and alcohol content, respectively.
To make this recipe even healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Reduce the amount of sesame oil used or replace it with a healthier alternative like olive oil or avocado oil
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to decrease the overall sodium content of the dish
- Increase the proportion of vegetables to steak to boost the fiber and nutrient content
- Opt for a leaner cut of beef, such as tenderloin or flank steak, to reduce the fat content
- Serve the dish with a side of brown rice or quinoa instead of white rice for added fiber and nutrients
- Experiment with additional herbs and spices, like ginger or red pepper flakes, to enhance flavor without relying on high-calorie sauces
By incorporating these changes, you can create a more balanced and nutritious version of the Shanghai Angus Steak that still delivers on taste and satisfaction. Remember, moderation is key, and enjoying this dish as part of a varied and well-rounded diet is the best approach to overall health and wellness.
Editor's Opinion on This Copycat Recipe
This recipe captures the essence of Panda Express's Shanghai Angus Steak with a delightful balance of flavors. The use of Chinese rice wine and kecap manis adds depth, while the Worcestershire sauce provides a tangy kick. The method ensures the steak remains tender, and the vegetables retain their crunch. However, consider marinating the steak longer for enhanced flavor. The instructions are clear, but adding a touch of ginger could elevate the dish further. Overall, it's a well-rounded, flavorful recipe that brings a restaurant-quality meal to your home kitchen.
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Why trust this Copycat Panda Express Shanghai Angus Steak Recipe:
This recipe captures the authentic flavors of Panda Express's Shanghai Angus Steak, ensuring a delightful dining experience at home. Using high-quality sirloin steak and fresh green beans, white mushrooms, and garlic, it promises a rich and savory taste. The combination of Chinese rice wine, kecap manis, and Worcestershire sauce creates a perfectly balanced sauce. The step-by-step instructions make it easy to follow, even for beginners. Trust this recipe for a restaurant-quality meal that’s both delicious and satisfying.
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