Spicy Crispy Chili Beef & Shrimp Noodles is a delicious stir-fry that combines crispy, golden beef, tender shrimp, colorful vegetables, and noodles coated in a sweet, savory, and spicy sauce. Every bite brings together different textures and bold flavors, making this dish a satisfying option for anyone who enjoys Asian-inspired meals with a little heat.
The flank steak is coated with egg and cornstarch before being fried until crispy, giving it a delicious texture that contrasts beautifully with the tender shrimp and soft noodles. Meanwhile, the sauce combines soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, sweet chili sauce, tomato paste, and chili crisps or flakes to create a flavorful balance of sweetness, savory richness, and spice.
Sliced onions and carrot matchsticks add color and texture, while the noodles bring everything together into a complete stir-fry. Finished with fresh green onions, this recipe is perfect for a flavorful homemade meal. You can also adjust the heat by adding more chili flakes according to your preference.
Ingredients
- 3/4 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 egg
- 5 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 7 tbsp vegetable oil, divided
- 5 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 4 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp chili crisps or chili flakes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 10–12 raw deveined tail-off shrimp
- 1/2 cup sliced onion
- 1/3 cup carrot matchsticks
- 4–6 oz cooked stir-fry noodles, coated with a little oil to prevent sticking
- Green onions for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Coat the Beef
Begin by preparing the flank steak. Make sure it is thinly sliced against the grain, which helps create a more tender texture once cooked. Place the sliced beef in a bowl and add the egg. Toss the pieces thoroughly until the egg coats the steak evenly.
Next, add the cornstarch and black pepper. Mix everything together until the beef is well coated. The cornstarch coating helps the steak develop a crispy exterior when fried, while the black pepper adds a subtle seasoning. Make sure the pieces are coated as evenly as possible before moving on to the cooking process.
Step 2: Fry the Beef Until Crispy
Heat 5 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the coated beef in batches. Avoid overcrowding the wok, as cooking the steak in smaller portions helps the pieces fry properly and develop a crispier texture.
Fry each batch until the beef is golden and crispy. Once cooked, remove the pieces from the wok and set them aside. Continue with the remaining beef until all the steak has been fried. Keep the cooked beef ready to combine with the sauce later.
Step 3: Prepare the Spicy Chili Sauce
In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, sweet chili sauce, chili crisps or chili flakes, and tomato paste. Stir the ingredients together until the brown sugar is incorporated and the mixture forms a smooth, flavorful sauce.
The soy sauce provides a savory base, while the brown sugar adds sweetness. Ketchup and tomato paste contribute richness, and the sweet chili sauce brings a balance of sweetness and spice. The chili crisps or flakes provide the heat that gives this dish its signature spicy flavor. Set the sauce aside while you prepare the vegetables.
Step 4: Cook the Vegetables
Take a separate non-stick pan and heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions and cook for approximately 4 minutes, stirring occasionally until they soften.
Once the onions have softened, add the carrot matchsticks. Continue cooking for another minute, stirring to distribute the carrots evenly throughout the pan. This brief cooking time allows the carrots to begin softening while retaining some texture, complementing the tender onions and the other ingredients in the stir-fry.
Step 5: Combine the Sauce, Beef, and Shrimp
Pour the prepared chili sauce into the pan with the cooked vegetables. Stir to combine the sauce with the onions and carrots, allowing the flavors to come together.
Add the crispy beef and the raw, deveined, tail-off shrimp. Toss the ingredients carefully so the beef and shrimp become coated in the sauce. Continue cooking for 2–3 minutes, stirring as needed, until the shrimp turn pink and are fully cooked.
The sauce should coat the beef, shrimp, and vegetables, creating a glossy mixture with a balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. Make sure the shrimp are fully cooked before proceeding.
Step 6: Add the Noodles
Add the 4–6 ounces of cooked stir-fry noodles to the pan. Since the noodles have already been coated with a little oil to prevent sticking, they should be easier to separate and mix into the stir-fry.
Toss the noodles with the beef, shrimp, vegetables, and sauce until everything is evenly distributed. Continue stirring until the noodles are heated through and coated with the flavorful chili sauce.
Take care to mix the ingredients thoroughly so each portion contains a satisfying combination of noodles, crispy beef, tender shrimp, and vegetables.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Once everything is hot and well combined, remove the pan from the heat. Garnish the finished stir-fry with green onions to add a fresh finishing touch.
For an extra kick, sprinkle additional chili flakes over the noodles according to your preferred spice level. Serve immediately while the beef is crispy, the shrimp are tender, and the noodles are warm and coated in the spicy sauce.
Enjoy this Spicy Crispy Chili Beef & Shrimp Noodles recipe as a flavorful homemade stir-fry packed with contrasting textures and bold, satisfying flavors.