Spice up your dinner routine with these ultimate spicy ground beef recipes. Perfect for those who crave a kick, each dish brings bold flavors and a satisfying warmth to your table. From zesty tacos to fiery stir-fries, these recipes promise to ignite your taste buds and transform your evening meal into a culinary adventure. Get ready to enjoy a deliciously spicy twist on classic ground beef dishes!
Steps
- Prepare the Firecracker sauce by combining soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Set it aside for later use.
- In a large frying pan, heat oil over high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until it’s fully browned with no visible raw meat left.
- Add minced garlic and chili flakes to the beef, cooking for an additional minute until the garlic is golden and aromatic.
- Pour the Firecracker sauce into the pan, stirring to coat the beef. Cook on high heat for 5 to 7 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce and the beef to caramelize.
- Once caramelized, add a few tablespoons of water to the pan to moisten the dish, stirring quickly to incorporate.
- Serve the Firecracker Beef over rice or noodles, garnished with sesame seeds, green onion, and extra sriracha if desired. Complement the dish with fresh vegetables like cucumber, carrot, and radish for added texture.
Ingredients
- 1½ tablespoons oil (vegetable, canola, or peanut)
- 500g / 1 lb ground beef (beef mince)
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (chilli flakes), adjust to taste
- 3 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce or all-purpose soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (can substitute with apple cider vinegar)
- 4 tablespoons sriracha sauce
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar (tightly packed)
- Rice, soba, or vermicelli noodles
- 1 green onion, finely sliced
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- Diced cucumber, julienned carrot, finely sliced red radish
- Additional sriracha sauce, if desired for extra spice
Nutritional Values
Calories: 1304cal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 104g | Fat: 72g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 36g | Trans Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 324mg | Sodium: 3736mg | Potassium: 1888mg | Fiber: 1.2g | Sugar: 48g | Vitamin A: 204IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 152mg | Iron: 12mg
FAQ
- What is Firecracker Beef and how does it compare to other Asian dishes?
- Firecracker Beef is a quick and budget-friendly dish that offers the spicy and bold flavors typical of Asian cuisine. It’s similar to Vietnamese Caramelised Pork Mince but uses beef and a fiery Firecracker Sauce. The dish is perfect for those craving spicy, big-flavored Asian meals.
- What ingredients are essential for making Firecracker Sauce?
- The key ingredients for Firecracker Sauce include Sriracha, which provides the primary spiciness and flavor, chili flakes for an earthy chili taste, sugar for sweetness, rice vinegar for sharpness, light soy sauce for saltiness, and fresh garlic for aromatic depth.
- Can I use other proteins instead of beef mince for this recipe?
- Yes, you can substitute beef mince with other proteins like ground chicken, pork, or turkey. For a vegetarian option, crumbled tofu can be used, adjusting the sugar content accordingly.
- How can I adjust the spiciness of the Firecracker Beef?
- To reduce spiciness, start by decreasing the amount of chili flakes. If needed, you can also reduce the Sriracha, but try to keep it as it adds essential flavor to the dish.
- What are some serving suggestions for Firecracker Beef?
- Firecracker Beef is traditionally served over white rice with raw vegetables like cucumber, carrot, and radish. It can also be paired with soba or vermicelli noodles. For a creative twist, consider using it in Asian-inspired Sloppy Joes, tacos, or quesadillas.
- How should leftover Firecracker Beef be stored and reheated?
- Leftover cooked beef can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When reheating, add a splash of water to moisten the beef and revive its saucy texture.
Tips
- Adjust the Spiciness: If you prefer a milder dish, start by reducing or omitting the chili flakes before reducing the sriracha, as sriracha adds significant flavor beyond just heat.
- Achieve Caramelization: Ensure you cook the beef until it caramelizes well, as this step is crucial for enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.
- Substitute Ingredients if Needed: If you don’t have rice vinegar, you can substitute it with apple cider vinegar. Similarly, if you run out of beef mince, ground chicken, pork, or turkey can work as alternatives.
- Moisten the Beef: After caramelizing the beef, add a splash of water to the pan to make the beef saucier and prevent it from becoming too dry.
Equipment
- Large non-stick frying pan: Essential for cooking the beef and ensuring it caramelizes properly.
- Small mixing bowl: For mixing the Firecracker sauce ingredients.
- Garlic press: To easily mince fresh garlic cloves.
- Measuring spoons: To accurately measure ingredients like soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha.
