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Recipe for Stir-fried Beef with French Fries

This delicious Stir-fried Beef with French Fries (Thịt Bò Xào Khoai Tây Chiên) combines tender marinated beef, crispy French fries, and vibrant bell peppers in a savoury sauce, creating a delightful mix of textures and flavours. Best enjoyed while hot, with the fries still crunchy, this dish makes a comforting and satisfying choice for family dinners. Serve it on its own or pair it with hot steamed rice for a complete meal the whole family will love.
Please refer to the video instructions at the end of the recipe if you’d like to see how to make Stir-fried Beef with French Fries in action.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Cuisine Vietnamese
Servings 3

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.

Video