Spicy Firecracker Beef is a quick and flavorful Asian-inspired dish that combines seared ground beef with a fiery sauce. It’s perfect for satisfying spicy food cravings and can be served over rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

1½ tablespoons oil (vegetable, canola, or peanut)
500g / 1 lb ground beef
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
3 tablespoons water

For the Firecracker sauce:

2 tablespoons soy sauce (light or all-purpose)
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
4 tablespoons sriracha sauce
4 tablespoons brown sugar (tightly packed)

Optional for serving:

Cooked rice, soba, or vermicelli noodles
1 green onion, finely sliced
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Diced cucumber, julienned carrot, or finely sliced red radish
Extra sriracha sauce

Directions

Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, mix together all the Firecracker sauce ingredients and set aside.
Cook the beef: Heat oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up as you go, until there’s no visible pink (approximately 2½ minutes).
Add aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and chili flakes; cook for an additional minute.
Incorporate the sauce: Pour the Firecracker sauce into the beef mixture, stirring to coat evenly. Continue cooking for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce reduces and the beef begins to caramelize.
Add water: Pour in the water and cook for another minute to achieve a saucier consistency.
Serve: Serve the Firecracker Beef over your choice of rice or noodles. Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and additional sriracha if desired. Add fresh vegetables like cucumber or carrot on the side for extra crunch.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (beef only, excluding rice or vegetables):

Calories: 326 kcal
Carbohydrates: 13 g
Protein: 26 g
Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
Cholesterol: 81 mg
Sodium: 934 mg
Potassium: 472 mg
Fiber: 0.3 g
Sugar: 12 g
Vitamin A: 51 IU

Why You’ll Love Spicy Firecracker Beef

What makes Spicy Firecracker Beef such a beloved dish is its perfect blend of flavors. The dish features ground beef that is seared and then coated in a sweet, tangy, and spicy sauce that infuses the meat with intense flavor. The sauce is a key component, combining elements like soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha sauce, and brown sugar. This results in a beautifully balanced profile that plays with both heat and sweetness.

Additionally, the ability to customize the heat level makes this dish adaptable for various spice tolerances. You can easily adjust the amount of chili flakes or sriracha sauce to suit your preferred spice level. Whether you’re a fan of mild heat or enjoy a fiery punch, this recipe offers flexibility to cater to your taste.

The Versatility of Spicy Firecracker Beef

Spicy Firecracker Beef is highly versatile and can be paired with a variety of bases to create a satisfying meal. You can serve it over steamed rice for a comforting dish or opt for noodles like soba or vermicelli for a lighter alternative. The heat from the firecracker sauce complements the starchiness of these bases beautifully, making each bite indulgent and flavorful.

If you’re looking to add extra crunch and freshness, topping the dish with fresh vegetables like cucumber, julienned carrots, or finely sliced red radish provides a delightful contrast to the tender beef. You can also garnish the dish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds to add both flavor and visual appeal.

Quick and Easy to Prepare

One of the best aspects of Spicy Firecracker Beef is how quickly it comes together. This recipe can be made in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a quick dinner option. The ground beef cooks quickly, and the firecracker sauce can be made in advance and stored for later use. Once the beef is cooked and the sauce is added, the dish simmers for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the beef to absorb all the delicious sauce.

The simplicity of the ingredients and the ease of preparation make it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a stress-free yet delicious meal. Whether you’re a novice cook or a seasoned chef, Spicy Firecracker Beef is a dish that anyone can master.

Key Ingredients That Make This Dish Stand Out

The key to this dish lies in the combination of simple yet flavorful ingredients.

Ground Beef: The foundation of this dish is the ground beef, which provides a rich and savory base for the spicy firecracker sauce. It is best to use lean ground beef to avoid excess grease, though a little bit of fat can enhance the flavor.
Firecracker Sauce: The sauce is the star of the dish, combining soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha sauce, brown sugar, and a pinch of sea salt. These ingredients work together to create a balance of saltiness, tanginess, and heat, making it the perfect complement to the savory beef.
Chili Flakes: These add an extra layer of heat to the dish. You can adjust the amount based on your spice tolerance, but for those who love a little more kick, a generous sprinkle will bring a nice heat without overpowering the other flavors.
Aromatics: Garlic and shallots are used to enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish. Their fragrance and depth provide a savory base, creating a perfect balance with the heat from the sauce.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

While Spicy Firecracker Beef is delicious on its own, it can also be customized to your preferences and dietary needs.

Serve with Rice or Noodles: This dish pairs excellently with steamed rice, noodles, or even quinoa for a hearty meal. The rice or noodles absorb the firecracker sauce, making each bite even more flavorful.
Add Vegetables: To enhance the nutritional profile, you can add vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas to the beef. These vegetables will add color and texture, making the dish even more vibrant and satisfying.
Make it Spicy or Mild: Adjust the spice level by altering the amount of sriracha or chili flakes in the sauce. For those who love spice, feel free to double the sriracha or add a dash of hot sauce to bring the heat to a new level.
Serve as an Appetizer: If you’re hosting a gathering, this dish can easily be transformed into an appetizer by serving it over small portions of rice or on toothpicks. The rich and spicy flavors will be a hit among your guests.

Health Benefits of Spicy Firecracker Beef

While Spicy Firecracker Beef is certainly a treat for the taste buds, it also offers some nutritional benefits. Ground beef provides a significant amount of protein, which is essential for muscle repair and overall body function. The addition of fresh vegetables like cucumber and carrots can add fiber and vitamins to the meal, making it a balanced option.

Additionally, the use of low-sodium soy sauce and lean beef ensures that this dish is healthier compared to other take-out options. You can even opt for low-sodium versions of the soy sauce and sriracha to reduce the salt content if desired.

Conclusion: A Flavorful Meal for Any Occasion

Spicy Firecracker Beef is a quick, flavorful, and versatile dish that brings bold, Asian-inspired flavors to the table. Whether you’re craving something spicy or looking for a dish to impress your guests, this recipe is sure to deliver. With its balance of heat, sweetness, and savory goodness, it can be served in numerous ways to suit your tastes and preferences. Its simplicity, coupled with its rich flavor, makes it the perfect dish for any occasion, from a casual weeknight dinner to a special meal shared with friends and family.

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