Stir-fried Beef with French Fries (Thịt Bò Xào Khoai Tây Chiên)
Stir-fried Beef with French Fries or Thịt Bò Xào Khoai Tây Chiên, is a comforting Vietnamese dish that brings together tender, marinated beef with crispy French fries in a savoury, flavourful sauce. This recipe is popular among Vietnamese families as a satisfying and hearty meal that combines the best of textures and tastes. The juicy, well-seasoned beef pairs beautifully with the crunch of the French fries, creating an irresistible contrast that appeals to both kids and adults.
In Vietnamese cooking, stir-frying (xào) is a commonly used technique that allows for quick cooking and preserves the natural flavours of the ingredients. Here, the beef is first marinated to enhance its tenderness and depth of flavour. Then, it’s quickly stir-fried over high heat with garlic and bell peppers, which add a hint of sweetness and a pop of colour to the dish. The French fries are fried separately to keep them crispy and are layered on the serving plate as a base, providing a crunchy foundation for the saucy beef and vegetables.
This dish is best enjoyed hot, while the French fries are still crispy, offering a delightful texture alongside the tender beef. It’s versatile too it can be served on its own or with a bowl of steamed rice, making it a perfect choice for family dinners. The recipe can also be customized; some may prefer stir-frying the fries directly with the beef for a different version, allowing the fries to soak up more of the sauce.
Whether you’re looking to bring a little Vietnamese comfort food into your kitchen or simply want a delicious, filling meal, Stir-fried Beef with French Fries is a wonderful choice that’s sure to please.
Q&As on Stir-fried Beef with French Fries
1. Can I use an air fryer instead of deep frying to make the French fries?
Yes, you can definitely use an air fryer to make the French fries! Simply preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F), toss the potato pieces lightly with oil, and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for about 15–20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even crisping. This method can create crispy fries with less oil, making it a great alternative to deep frying.
2. What type of beef is best for stir-frying?
Tender cuts of beef are ideal for stir-frying, as they cook quickly and stay juicy. Good options include flank steak, sirloin, ribeye, and tenderloin. These cuts are flavourful and tender, making them perfect for quick, high-heat cooking. For the best results, slice the beef thinly against the grain to keep it tender during stir-frying.
3. Why don’t we stir-fry the French fries together with the beef?
Stir-frying the French fries together with the beef is actually another version of this dish! However, for this recipe, keeping the French fries separate during cooking helps preserve their crispiness, making them a delicious contrast to the tender beef. You’re welcome to try the other version if you prefer; combining them in the stir-fry will allow the fries to absorb more flavour from the sauce, though they’ll be less crispy.
4. I don’t have bell peppers on hand. Can I make this dish without them?
Yes, you can absolutely make this dish without the bell peppers. The bell pepper is mainly added for a pop of colour and a bit of extra texture, but the dish will still be delicious without it. The combination of just the beef and French fries is enough to make a satisfying meal.
5. How do you pronounce “Thịt Bò Xào Khoai Tây Chiên?”
Thịt Bò Xào Khoai Tây Chiên is pronounced like this:
- Thịt (teet) – means meat or flesh, often used to refer to different kinds of meat.
- Bò (baw) – means beef, specifically from a cow.
- Xào (sow) – means stir-fried, indicating a cooking method where ingredients are quickly cooked in a hot pan.
- Khoai Tây (kwai tay) – means potato; khoai is a general term for tubers, while tây specifies potato (literally “western tuber”).
- Chiên (cheen) – means fried, referring to deep frying in this case.
Together, Thịt Bò Xào Khoai Tây Chiên translates to “Stir-fried Beef with Fried Potatoes.”
Recipe for Stir-fried Beef with French Fries
Equipment
- 1 medium nonstick skillet
- 1 medium wok
Ingredients
- 400 grams beef
- 500 grams potato
- 1 medium bell pepper
- 3 green onions
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
Mixing Sauce:
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon MSG (or chicken bouillon powder)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Cooking Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha chili paste
- 1 teaspoon mushroom powder
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons chicken stock (or water)
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef and the Sauces:Cut the beef into bite-sized pieces.In a mixing bowl with the beef, add 1 teaspoon of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon of MSG (or chicken bouillon powder), 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and half of the chopped garlic. Stir thoroughly until all the seasonings are well distributed over the beef, then let it marinate for about 15 minutes.In a small mixing bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon of sriracha chili paste, 1 teaspoon of mushroom powder, 1 teaspoon of cornstarch, and 2 tablespoons of chicken stock (or water). Stir until the ingredients are fully blended into a smooth sauce, then set aside.
- Prepare the Vegetables:Peel the potatoes, then cut them into French fry-style pieces, similar in size to the fries served at McDonald’s.In a bowl, add water and dissolve a pinch of salt to make a light brine. Soak the potato pieces in this salted water for about 15 minutes; this will help remove excess starch and make them crispier.Dice the bell pepper into bite-sized pieces, and cut the green onions into smaller segments. Set these aside.Drain the potatoes, rinse them well, and then dry them completely.
- Fry the Potatoes:In a medium nonstick skillet, pour enough oil to cover the potatoes for deep frying, and heat it over high until the oil reaches a sizzling temperature.Carefully add the potatoes to the hot oil and fry, gently stirring occasionally to make sure each piece cooks evenly.Once the potatoes are golden brown and fully cooked, remove them from the skillet and drain them.After draining the French fries, spread them in a single layer on a serving plate, creating a crispy base to top with the stir-fried beef.
- Cook:In a medium wok, heat a little oil over high heat, then add the remaining chopped garlic. Sauté the garlic for a few seconds until it becomes fragrant and golden.Add the marinated beef to the skillet and stir-fry, keeping the heat high to sear the beef. Pour in half of the prepared cooking sauce and stir to coat the beef evenly, allowing the flavours to meld.When the beef is about 75% cooked through, add the diced bell peppers along with the remaining cooking sauce. Stir well, making sure the bell peppers stay crisp-tender and retain their bright colour.Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.Turn off the heat and sprinkle the chopped green onions over the dish, stirring briefly to let their mild onion flavour combine without overcooking.
- Serve:Spoon the stir-fried beef and bell peppers over the French fries, allowing the sauce to seep into the fries slightly.Your Stir-fried Beef with French Fries is now ready to serve! For the best experience, enjoy this dish while still hot, with the fries remaining crunchy, either on its own or paired with hot steamed rice.