Beef With Spicy Black Bean Sauce

By
Rhonda Parkinson
Rhonda Parkinson
Rhonda Parkinson is a freelance writer who has authored many cookbooks, including two Everything guides to Chinese cooking.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 11/26/21
Close up beef in black bean sauce with white rice on a white square plate

Huw Jones / Getty Images

Prep: 25 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 35 mins
Servings: 3 to 4 servings

Fermented black beans lend their own special taste and flavor to this Chinese beef in bean sauce recipe, while chile paste adds extra bite.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 pound skirt steak, or flank steak

  • 1 tablespoon fermented black beans (Chinese dried black beans)

  • 2 garlic cloves

  • 2 medium stalks celery

  • 1 medium scallion

  • 2 medium carrots

  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

  • Peanut oil, or vegetable oil, for frying

For the Marinade:

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon wine

  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

  • 1 dash freshly ground black pepper

For the Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

  • 1/4 cup chicken broth

  • 1 tablespoon chili paste

  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in 1 tablespoon water

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Cut the beef into bite-sized chunks. Add the soy sauce and wine and then the cornstarch.

  3. Marinate beef for 20 minutes.

  4. While marinating beef, prepare the sauce and vegetables. In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, sugar, chicken broth, and chile paste. In a separate small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the water. Set aside.

  5. Rinse the black beans and let sit for a few minutes to soften. Use a cleaver or knife to chop finely. Mince the garlic and mash with the black beans.

  6. String the celery and peel the carrots. Cut on the diagonal into thin slices. Cut the green onion into thirds.

  7. Heat the wok ​and add 2 tablespoons of oil. When oil is ready, add the scallion. Stir-fry briefly, then add the carrot and celery. Stir-fry until tender and crisp. Remove vegetables from the wok and set aside.

  8. Reheat the wok and add 3 tablespoons of oil. When the oil is hot, add the mashed garlic and black beans. Stir-fry until fragrant. Add the marinated beef. Stir-fry until there is no redness in the beef.

  9. Add the sauce in the middle of the wok. Give the cornstarch-water mixture a quick stir and add in the middle of the wok. stirring quickly to thicken. When the sauce is boiling add the cooked vegetables. Mix well. Remove from the heat and stir in the sesame oil. Serve hot.

  10. Enjoy.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
443 Calories
32g Fat
13g Carbs
24g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 3 to 4
Amount per serving
Calories 443
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 32g 42%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 74mg 25%
Sodium 938mg 41%
Total Carbohydrate 13g 5%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 24g
Vitamin C 3mg 17%
Calcium 39mg 3%
Iron 2mg 13%
Potassium 433mg 9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)