Have you ever thought about using the steaming method to cook beef? Believe me, this is the simplest way for beginners. If you can’t handle the stickiness of the wok or control the fire, try this steamed beef to achieve a savory and delicious taste with a juicy texture. In this recipe, I will share with you a unique method for making steamed dishes, different from the traditional approach. But it’s up to you to decide the texture of the steamed beef.
Steaming is my favorite cooking method in summer. I love steaming not only on winter days but also on hot summer days when I don’t want to stand in front of the fire. This is a classic Cantonese-style beef dish that can boost the natural umami flavor of beef. If you are a returning visitor, you may have tried my steamed tender chicken recipe.
But those two are slightly different. I pursue a tender and juicy texture for the chicken, but the steamed beef is different because, after being cooked through, we will continue heating for around 3-4 minutes until the sauces in the pan are totally dried out. This creates a uniquely smoky and concentrated flavor. That’s a totally new world for me, since I’ve figured out how steaming can be so cool.
You can choose to keep the sauce and make a more tender and juicy version with this recipe. But in case you want to take an adventure to see the magic of dry-frying, the following are some of the tips.
- Use a thick iron wok – thick-bottom iron woks are stronger, so I believe they can survive that dry-steaming process.
- Limit the water added to the wok. The key to dry-steaming is to limit the amount of water in the wok and enter the dry-steaming process at the right time.
- Steam the plate first – using a hot plate is also a key way to maintain a starting temperature and evaporate the sauce quickly.
Which cut of beef to use
In Chinese cutting, we will recommend Diaolong (吊龙). It is a premium cut in Chaoshan-style hot pot, corresponding to the extension of the beef tenderloin (filet) or ribeye in your cutting way. It’s a long, tender strip of meat running along the spine, prized for its fine texture, even marbling, and delicate beefy sweetness.
Since steaming aims to preserve the original taste of the beef, the quality of the meat is quite essential. The best choice is high-quality ribeye. Or, if you prefer a more Budget-Friendly choice, consider using flank steak or Sirloin. But avoid using Shank or Brisket. They are hard to chew.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Slice the beef
You may find many recipes that ask you to cut beef against the grain into 3mm (0.1-inch) thin slices. This is because this cutting technique can shorten the fibers and avoid cheesiness.
Marinate the beef with seasonings and cornstarch.
- In a bowl, mix beef with salt, white pepper, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Mix well.
- Then add cornstarch and massage until the mixture is well-coated with the starch.
- After the marinating, we finally add some oil to coat the beef. It has two functions here. The first is to add another layer of protection for the starch. Secondly, it seals moisture and prevents the meat from sticking to each other, just like what we did in stir-frying beef recipes.
Steam
The first step for steaming is to add water and heat the plate first. Add approximately 200ml of water to your wok, then add the steamer rack and place the plate on top.
Place ginger and scallion whites on a plate. Then, try your best to spread the beef in a single layer using your hands or a pair of chopsticks.
You can stop here for a tender and juicy version—the sauce pairs well with steamed rice or noodles. Or continue heating for approximately 4 minutes, until the sauce is almost dry and thickened. I tried to take a photo but failed. However, the video clearly shows that the sauces are bubbling due to the heat. This is our dry-steaming process. In this stage, there is no water in the wok. We are steaming with an empty wok.
Lastly, when the sauces are almost gone, add chili pepper and scallion sections. The further thickened sauce will give the beef a unique, smoky, and concentrated flavor, complementing that savory taste.
Tips about the steaming time
The steaming time for this dish may vary slightly depending on the desired texture. I summarized two stages of the steaming process. A 6-8 minute cooking time is perfect for tender and juicy beef. However, an extra 3-4 minutes can give it a slightly seared edge and a more concentrated flavor.
- 1/2 lb 200g beef, cut of your choice
Velveting Marinade
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce + 1 tsp. dark soy sauce
- ½ tsp white pepper
- 1/8 tsp. salt
Aromatics & Seasonings
- 2 tsp ginger shredded
- 4 scallions
- 1 red chili cut into circles
Marinate the beef
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Mix beef with salt, white pepper, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Mix well.
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Add cornstarch and mix well. Then add around 1 tablespoon of oil, mix again to coat each piece of the beef. Set aside for 15 minutes.
Steam
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Add approximately 200ml of water to your wok, then add the steamer rack and place the plate on top..
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Place ginger and scallion whites on a plate. Then, try your best to spread the beef in a single layer using your hands or a pair of chopsticks.
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You can stop here for a tender and juicy version—the sauce pairs well with steamed rice or noodles. Or continue heating for approximately 4 minutes, until the sauce is almost dry and thickened. This is our dry-steaming process. In this stage, there is no water in the wok. We are steaming with an empty wok.
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Lastly, when the sauces are almost gone, add chili pepper and scallion sections. The further thickened sauce will give the beef a unique, smoky, and concentrated flavor, complementing that savory taste.
Serving Ideas
The steamed beef can be served as a main dish to replace protein stir-frying. Soups, steamed rice, and a light vegetable salad are my top recommendations to accompany this tender, juicy, and savory beef stir-fry.
