Sweet and Sour Beef

Total Time Prep/Total Time: 30 min.
Yield 4 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
Craving sweet and sour beef but short on time? This easy homemade version features tender steak, crisp veggies and a sweet-and-tangy homemade sauce in 30 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 pound beef top sirloin steak, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 3 teaspoons canola oil, divided
  • 1 large green pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 large sweet red pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 medium tart apples, chopped
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions, divided
  • 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup cider vinegar
  • Hot cooked rice, optional

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth. Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper. In a large nonstick skillet or wok, heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat. Add beef; stir-fry 2-3 minutes or until no longer pink. Remove from pan.
  2. In same skillet, stir-fry peppers and apples in remaining oil for 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup green onions; stir-fry 1-3 minutes longer or until peppers are crisp-tender. Remove from pan.
  3. Add brown sugar and vinegar to skillet; bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Stir cornstarch mixture and add to pan. Return to a boil; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Return beef and pepper mixture to pan; heat through. If desired, serve with rice. Sprinkle with remaining green onion.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/2 cups (calculated without rice): 389 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 663mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (46g sugars, 4g fiber), 25g protein.

This healthful stir-fry recipe is a family favorite. I've used a variety of meats and apples and sometimes replace the green onion with yellow onion. No matter what tweaks I make, it always tastes great. —Brittany McCloud, Kenyon, MN
Recipe Creator

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