Delicious Firecracker Beef served with colorful vegetables.

Firecracker Beef

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why make this recipe

Firecracker Beef is a tasty and exciting dish that brings a burst of flavors to your dinner table. It’s quick to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights. The mix of beef, spices, and sweet heat from sriracha creates a delicious meal that will please both family and friends. Plus, you can easily customize it with your favorite veggies or serve it over rice or noodles for a filling option.

how to make Firecracker Beef

Ingredients:

  • 1½ tbsp oil (vegetable, canola, peanut)
  • 500g / 1 lb beef mince / ground beef (Note 1)
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1 tsp chilli flakes / red pepper flakes (adjust to your taste)
  • 3 tbsp water
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce (light or all-purpose) (Note 2)
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar (Note 3)
  • 4 tbsp sriracha sauce (Note 4)
  • 4 tbsp brown sugar (tightly packed)
  • Rice (soba or vermicelli noodles)
  • 1 green onion, finely sliced
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds
  • Diced cucumber, julienned carrot, finely sliced red radish
  • Extra sriracha sauce (if you dare!)

Directions:

  1. Sauce: Mix the Firecracker sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
  2. Cook beef: Heat oil in a large frypan over high heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up as you go, until you can no longer see raw meat (about 2½ minutes). Add garlic and chilli flakes, cooking for 1 more minute.
  3. Caramelise beef: Pour in the Firecracker sauce ingredients, stirring to coat the beef. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring every minute at first, then more towards the end, until the sauce reduces and you see the beef caramelising. Make sure to caramelise well for good flavour!
  4. Water: Add the water and cook for an additional minute (this makes the beef saucier!).
  5. Serve: Plate the dish over rice, sprinkled with sesame seeds and green onion. If you’re feeling brave, add a squirt of extra sriracha! Include a pile of your favorite vegetables on the side. Dive in!

how to serve Firecracker Beef

Serve Firecracker Beef hot over a bed of rice, soba, or vermicelli noodles. Garnish with thinly sliced green onion, sesame seeds, and fresh vegetables like cucumber, carrot, and radish. For those who love heat, offered extra sriracha on the side. This dish pairs well with a simple salad or steamed veggies for a complete meal.

how to store Firecracker Beef

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about 3 to 4 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply warm it up in a pan on the stove or in the microwave until heated through.

tips to make Firecracker Beef

  • For a milder version, reduce the amount of chilli flakes and sriracha sauce.
  • Feel free to add in your favorite vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli for extra nutrition.
  • Serve with a side of pickled vegetables for an added crunch and flavor.
  • Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar according to your taste.

variation

You can switch the beef for ground chicken, turkey, or plant-based meat substitutes to suit your preference or dietary needs. You could also experiment with different types of noodles or rice for a change in texture.

FAQs

1. Can I make Firecracker Beef ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the beef in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Simply reheat when you’re ready to serve.

2. What can I serve with Firecracker Beef?
Firecracker Beef goes well with rice, noodles, or even folded into lettuce wraps. Adding a side of steamed or stir-fried vegetables can make the meal even more satisfying.

3. Is Firecracker Beef spicy?
It has a kick due to the chilli flakes and sriracha sauce, but you can adjust the spice level to your liking by reducing these ingredients.

Firecracker Beef

A tasty and exciting dish that combines beef, spices, and sweet heat from sriracha, perfect for quick dinners.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Thai
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the sauce
  • 3 tbsp water
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce (light or all-purpose) Note 2
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar Note 3
  • 4 tbsp sriracha sauce Note 4
  • 4 tbsp brown sugar tightly packed
Main ingredients
  • 1.5 tbsp oil (vegetable, canola, peanut)
  • 500 g beef mince / ground beef Note 1
  • 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
  • 1 tsp chilli flakes / red pepper flakes adjust to your taste
  • 1 green onion finely sliced
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds
  • 1 cucumber diced
  • 1 carrot julienned
  • 1 radish finely sliced red
  • Extra sriracha sauce if you dare!
  • Rice (soba or vermicelli noodles)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Mix the Firecracker sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
  2. Heat oil in a large frypan over high heat.
  3. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up, until the meat is no longer raw (about 2½ minutes).
  4. Add garlic and chilli flakes, cooking for 1 more minute.
Cooking
  1. Pour in the Firecracker sauce ingredients, stirring to coat the beef.
  2. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring every minute at first, until the sauce reduces and the beef caramelizes.
  3. Add the water and cook for an additional minute.
Serving
  1. Plate the dish over rice, sprinkled with sesame seeds and green onion.
  2. Add a squirt of extra sriracha if desired, with a side of your favorite vegetables.

Notes

For a milder version, reduce the amount of chilli flakes and sriracha sauce. Feel free to add favorite vegetables for extra nutrition. Serve with a side of pickled vegetables for added crunch and flavor. Adjust sweetness to taste.