Hunan Sliced Beef Stir-Fry

小炒黄牛肉

Hunan Sliced Beef Stir-Fry — a Hunan Chinese recipe made with beef flank steak, ready in about 28 minutes. Step-by-step instructions with photos.

Ingredients

• beef flank steak, very thinly sliced (2 mm) against grain
• fresh red chillies (e.g., Fresno or cayenne), sliced
• fermented black beans (douchi), rinsed and lightly mashed
• light soy sauce
• ginger, julienned

Instructions

1. Heat wok over high heat until smoking. Swirl in 1 tbsp oil, then swirl again to coat. Remove and set aside — this is 'first heat' for seasoning.
2. Reheat wok to same smoking point. Add beef in single layer; sear 45 seconds without stirring.
3. Flip and stir-fry 30 seconds until 80% cooked. Transfer to plate — do not overcook.
4. Add 1 tsp fresh oil. Stir in ginger, fresh chillies, and black beans; stir-fry 1 minute until chillies blister and beans sizzle.
5. Return beef. Add light soy sauce. Stir-fry 40 seconds on highest heat. Serve immediately with steam rising from hot plate.