Beef with Orange

If you've ever wished you could bottle up the sticky, citrusy beefy goodness from your favorite Chinese takeout spot, this orange beef is about to become your new hero. Featuring tender strips of beef with crisp edges dripping in a bright, sweet-tangy sauce bursting with zesty orange flavor, punchy garlic, and a hint of heat, this orange peel beef recipe delivers everything you love about the classic in 30 minutes or less.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds Decent-Quality Steaks ( – sliced thinly against the grain into 1/4-inch slices (SEE NOTES))
• 3 large Oranges ( – 3/4 cup juice and 2 heaping teaspoons zest; DIVIDED)
• Heaping 1/2 tsp Chinese Five Spice Powder
• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• 1/8 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes ( - OPTIONAL)
• To Taste Kosher Salt and Ground White Pepper ((sub: ground black pepper))
• 1/3 Cup Cornstarch
• 1/3 Cup Peanut Oil ((substitute: Vegetable Oil))
• 3 Cloves Garlic ( – peeled and grated)
• 3 large Scallions ( –thinly sliced; white/light green parts and dark green parts; DIVIDED)
• 2 tsp Grated Ginger Root
• 4 TBS Orange Marmalade
• 3 TBS Low-Sodium Soy Sauce
• 1 TBS Rice Vinegar ((do not use seasoned rice vinegar))
• 1/4 Cup Fresh Basil Leaves ( – chiffonade or torn)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Marinate Beef In Orange Juice: Marinate Beef for 15-20 minutes: To a large mixing bowl or resealable gallon storage bag, add 3 tablespoon orange juice, all the Chinese five spice powder, all the baking soda, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and a scant 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper. Use a whisk to stir the ingredients completely together. Next, add the strips of beef to the marinade. The, use tongs or chopsticks to thoroughly coat the strips of beef in the marinade. Set aside and let the steak marinate on the counter for 15 to 20 minutes.
2. 2Make Orange Sauce: Make Orange Stir Fry Sauce: In a 2-cup liquid measure or bowl, combine the remaining orange juice with the marmalade, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper before using a whisk to thoroughly combine the stir fry sauce. Then set the sauce aside.
3. 3Coat Beef In Cornstarch: When you’re ready to start cooking – Coat Beef in Cornstarch: Once you’re ready to cook, add all the cornstarch to the bowl with the marinating beef. Again, use your tongs, or chopsticks to thoroughly mix the ingredients and coat the slices of beef in the cornstarch.
4. 4Brown Beef in TWO Batches: Heat the oil in a large wok, well-seasoned cast iron pan, or 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high to high heat. Once the oil is shimmering and almost to the point of smoking, add half of the beef to the pan, arranging the slices in an even layer with minimal overlap, and let it cook WITHOUT STIRRING for 45 seconds to 1 1/2 minutes, or until the bottom side turns golden brown. Then, stir and continue to cook the strips of beef for 45 seconds to 1 minute. Transfer the browned beef from the pan to a large plate and season with a pinch of salt. Then, repeat the browning process with the remaining slices of steak, adding more oil to the pan if necessary, and transferring the brown beef to the plate and seasoning with a pinch of salt when it’s done cooking.
5. 5Wipe The Pan: Wipe Pan: Reduce the heat to medium and use your tongs to hold a few sheets of paper towels. Use the paper towels to whip the excess oil from the bottom of the pan, reserving 1 tablespoon of oil in the pan.
6. 6Cook Aromatics: Add the garlic, white/light green scallions, and grated ginger. Season with a ¼ teaspoon of salt and a pinch of pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until aromatic.
7. 7Add Orange Peel Stir Fry Sauce: Add Orange Sauce: Add the orange stir fry sauce to the pan and give the sauce a good stir. Increase heat and bring the sauce to a rapid simmer. Then, immediately reduced the heat to maintain a simmer. Let the sauce cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until the sauce is thickened.
8. 8Add Beef Back to Pan: Add all the browned crispy beef back to the pan. Stir the beef into the orange sauce, tossing the beef to thoroughly coat. Once the beef is coated and warm, remove the pan from the heat.
9. 9Add Herbs And Orange Zest: Add Remaining Scallions, Zest, and Basil: Add the dark green scallions, all the orange zest, and half the basil leaves. Stir the orange beef stir fry until combined. Taste and adjust for seasoning, adding more salt and pepper for overall flavor, basil for freshness, and orange juice or zest for acidity.
10. 10Serve Orange Beef: Garnish orange stir fried beef with remaining basil, sesame seeds and crushed red pepper flakes, if using. Serve immediately over rice with orange wedges on the side. Enjoy!