Why Is Chinese Restaurant Beef Always So Tender? The Secret Revealed!

Generated guide based on video: Watch on YouTube

Summary: This guide teaches you how to prepare and cook tender beef just like in Chinese restaurants. By following a few simple steps, you'll learn the secret marinating technique and how to stir fry the beef for a delicious meal.

Materials Needed

  • lean beef
  • ice water
  • egg white
  • cornstarch
  • baking soda
  • sugar
  • salt
  • MSG
  • cooking oil
  • ginger
  • garlic
  • green onions
  • soy sauce
  • white pepper
  • dark soy sauce
  • Shaoxing wine
  • oyster sauce

Outcome: Tender and flavorful beef stir fry

Steps

Step 1: Select and Prepare Beef

Choose a lean cut of beef, slice against the grain into 2-3 mm pieces, and freeze for an hour for easier slicing.

Shows the process of slicing beef against the grain and preparing it for freezing.

Shows the process of slicing beef against the grain and preparing it for freezing.

Step 2: Prepare Marinating Mixture

Mix ice water with sugar, salt, and MSG, then pour over the beef, mixing until sticky. Add ice water in batches until the beef is shiny.

Demonstrates mixing the marinating ingredients and pouring them over the beef.

Demonstrates mixing the marinating ingredients and pouring them over the beef.

Step 3: Add Tenderizing Ingredients

Mix in egg white, then coat the beef with cornstarch evenly.

Shows the addition of egg white and cornstarch to the beef.

Shows the addition of egg white and cornstarch to the beef.

Step 4: Rest the Beef

Cover the beef with plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Shows the beef being covered with plastic wrap and set aside.

Shows the beef being covered with plastic wrap and set aside.

Step 5: Prepare Stir Fry Ingredients

Slice ginger, garlic, and green onions. Prepare a sauce with soy sauce, sugar, white pepper, dark soy sauce, salt, Shaoxing wine, oyster sauce, water, and cornstarch.

Shows the slicing of aromatics and preparation of the stir fry sauce.

Shows the slicing of aromatics and preparation of the stir fry sauce.

Step 6: Cook the Beef

Heat oil in a pan, sear the marinated beef until medium-well, then set aside.

Shows the beef being seared in a pan until medium-well.

Shows the beef being seared in a pan until medium-well.

Step 7: Stir Fry Aromatics

In the same pan, cook ginger, garlic, and white part of green onions until fragrant.

Shows the aromatics being stir-fried in the pan.

Shows the aromatics being stir-fried in the pan.

Step 8: Combine and Finish

Add the beef back to the pan, pour in the sauce, stir fry on high heat, and finish with green onion tops.

Shows the final combination of beef and sauce with a high-heat stir fry.

Shows the final combination of beef and sauce with a high-heat stir fry.