Description
Firecracker Beef is a spicy, caramelized ground beef dish cooked with a fiery sriracha-based sauce, garlic, and chilli flakes. Served over rice or noodles and topped with fresh vegetables, sesame seeds, and green onion, it’s a perfect meal for those who love a burst of flavor and heat.
Ingredients
Scale
Firecracker Sauce
- 4 tbsp sriracha sauce
- 4 tbsp brown sugar (tightly packed)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (light or all-purpose)
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp water
Main Ingredients
- 1½ tbsp oil (vegetable, canola, or peanut)
- 500g / 1 lb beef mince / ground beef
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 tsp chilli flakes / red pepper flakes (adjust to your taste)
- Rice, soba or vermicelli noodles (to serve)
- 1 green onion, finely sliced
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- Diced cucumber, julienned carrot, finely sliced red radish (for serving)
- Extra sriracha sauce (optional, if you dare!)
Instructions
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together sriracha sauce, brown sugar, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Set this Firecracker sauce mixture aside.
- Cook Beef: Heat oil in a large frypan over high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up continuously, until no pink remains, about 2½ minutes. Then add the minced garlic and chilli flakes and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Caramelize Beef: Add the prepared Firecracker sauce to the pan and stir to coat the beef evenly. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce and the beef to caramelize. Stir only occasionally at first to promote caramelization, then more frequently towards the end to prevent burning.
- Add Water: Pour in 3 tablespoons of water to the pan and cook for another 1 minute. This step adds extra sauciness to the dish and balances the flavors.
- Serve: Serve the Firecracker Beef over cooked rice, soba, or vermicelli noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds, sliced green onion, and a squirt of extra sriracha if desired. Add fresh vegetables like diced cucumber, julienned carrot, and thinly sliced red radish on the side. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Adjust chilli flakes and sriracha quantities to your preferred spice level.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground chicken or turkey if preferred.
- Brown sugar helps balance the heat and creates a delicious caramelized glaze on the beef.
- Serve with your choice of rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- Vegetables like cucumber, carrot, and radish add refreshing crunch and contrast.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Keywords: Firecracker Beef, spicy ground beef, caramelized beef, sriracha beef, quick Asian beef recipe
