Panda Express's Beijing Beef (Copycat Recipe)

This Beijing Beef recipe captures the sweet and savory essence of the beloved dish from Panda Express. Tender strips of beef are stir-fried to perfection with vibrant bell peppers and onions, all coated in a rich, tangy sauce. It's a delightful combination of flavors and textures that brings a taste of Chinese-American cuisine right to your kitchen. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this dish is both satisfying and easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, toss the sliced flank steak with cornstarch until well coated. Let it sit for about 15 minutes.
2. In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef in batches, cooking until browned and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the beef and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add the sliced bell peppers and onion. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until they are tender-crisp.
4. Add the minced garlic and ginger to the skillet, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, and red pepper flakes (if using). Pour this sauce over the vegetables in the skillet.
6. Return the cooked beef to the skillet, stirring to combine everything well. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through and the sauce thickens slightly.
7. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.