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Beef in Black Bean Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 102 reviews

A classic Chinese stir-fry dish featuring tender beef rump steak cooked with preserved black beans, colorful capsicum, and onions in a savory, thick black bean sauce. This flavorful dish is quick to prepare yet deeply satisfying, perfect served over steamed white rice for a comforting, restaurant-quality meal at home.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef and Marinade

  • 400g/14 oz beef rump steak (top sirloin), thinly sliced 3mm / 0.1″
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda (bi-carbonate)
  • 1 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 2 tsp cornflour / cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil (toasted brown)
  • 2 tsp white sugar

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 brown onion, medium size, cut into 2.5cm/1″ squares
  • 1 green capsicum (bell pepper), medium size, cut into 2.5cm/1″ squares
  • 1 tbsp garlic, finely minced (~4 cloves)
  • 1/2 cup (75g) preserved black beans (salted fermented black beans)

Sauce and Cooking Liquids

  • 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine (shaoxing wine)
  • 1 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp cornflour/cornstarch (20g)
  • 1 cup water

Oils for Cooking

  • 1/2 cup peanut oil (or vegetable, canola oil)

Serving

  • White rice

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Beef: Mix all marinade ingredients except sesame oil in a bowl. Add the thinly sliced beef and coat thoroughly. Then add the sesame oil and mix again. Refrigerate and allow the beef to marinate for 1 hour to tenderize and absorb flavors.
  2. Soak the Preserved Black Beans: Place the salted black beans in a medium bowl and cover them with water. Let them soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour to soften and reduce excess salt. Drain after soaking.
  3. Prepare the Sauce: In a small jug or bowl, combine cornflour, soy sauce, and white sugar. Stir until smooth and lump-free. Slowly add water and mix thoroughly. Set aside.
  4. Cook the Beef: Heat peanut oil in a wok or non-stick pan over high heat. Add the marinated beef and toss quickly for about 30 seconds until it changes color from red to brown. Remove the beef with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate.
  5. Adjust the Oil: Carefully pour out most of the oil from the wok, leaving about 3 tablespoons for cooking the aromatics and vegetables.
  6. Cook Aromatics and Vegetables: Return the wok to high heat. Add the soaked black beans and stir for 20 seconds. Add minced garlic and stir for 10 seconds. Toss in the onion and capsicum, stir-frying them together for 1 minute until slightly softened but still crisp.
  7. Return the Beef: Add the beef back to the wok, including any juices on the plate. Toss for 1 minute to mix with vegetables.
  8. Add Cooking Wine: Pour Chinese cooking wine around the sides of the wok so it flows onto the beef mixture. Toss everything continuously for 30 seconds to allow alcohol to evaporate and flavor to deepen.
  9. Finish with Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce into the wok. Stir and allow the mixture to bubble for about 1 minute or until the sauce thickens, becomes shiny, and evenly coats the beef and vegetables.
  10. Serve: Transfer the beef in black bean sauce to a serving bowl and pair with freshly steamed white rice for a delicious meal.

Notes

  • Preserved black beans are fermented salted black soybeans that add umami depth; soak beforehand to reduce excess saltiness.
  • Use lean cuts like rump steak or top sirloin and slice thinly for quick cooking and tenderness.
  • Minced garlic should be finely chopped to release aroma without burning quickly.
  • Peanut oil has a high smoke point ideal for stir-frying; substitute vegetable or canola oil if needed.
  • Shaoxing cooking wine enhances the flavor but can be omitted or replaced with dry sherry if unavailable.
  • Light soy sauce provides saltiness and color; dark soy sauce adds deeper color and savoriness.
  • Baking soda in beef marinade helps tenderize the meat by breaking down proteins.
  • Adjust cooking times quickly as the stir-fry process is fast to maintain crisp textures.

Keywords: beef black bean sauce, Chinese stir fry, preserved black beans, beef rump steak recipe, quick stir fry, Chinese cooking wine, oyster sauce stir fry

Find it online: https://bitesizedbenny.com/beef-in-black-bean-sauce-recipe/