Panda Express Beijing Beef – CopyKat Recipes

By Editor On Jan 6, 2024

Savor the tantalizing flavors of Panda Express Beijing Beef, a perfect blend of crispy beef strips and vegetables stir-fried to perfection. This dish captures the essence of the famous Panda Express classic with its rich, sweet, savory, and slightly spicy sauce. Serve this mouth-watering Beijing Beef over a bed of fluffy rice.

Ideal for a family dinner or a special occasion, this recipe is not only delicious but also a fun way to recreate a popular favorite at home. Enjoy the blend of textures and flavors that make this Chinese dish a must-try for anyone looking for a flavorful, satisfying meal.

Copycat Panda Express Beijing Beef, rice, and chopsticks on a plate.

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What makes Panda Express Beijing Beef so good?

You cannot live by Orange Chicken alone, and when you want to switch things up on your next Chinese night, this Panda Express Beijing Beef recipe is what you want to try!

But what is Beijing Beef at Panda Express? Imagine a bowl of sliced tender beef with a light, crisp crust smothered in a sweet, tangy sauce with just the right amount of heat. Then add onions and bell peppers for a bit of color and crunch, and you have a good idea of what awaits you.

Why you will love this recipe

Chinese food used to be inexpensive, but not anymore. Feeding a family on take-out isn’t cheap, but you can save a ton of cash when you make it yourself. The only problem is getting everyone to agree on one main course.

Don’t worry; Beijing Beef is so delicious that your entire family will be onboard! Not a fan of shallow frying? Check out the alternative cooking method in the ‘Recipe Variations’ section below.

Panda Express Beijing Beef ingredients

For marinating the beef, you’ll need:

Flank steak
Low-sodium soy sauce
Baking soda

For the Beijing Beef sauce, you’ll need:

Water
Ketchup
Hoisin sauce
Seasoned rice wine vinegar
Granulated sugar
Cornstarch
Dried red pepper flakes

For frying the beef, you’ll need:

Marinated beef
Cornstarch
Vegetable oil or canola oil

To finish the Panda Express Beijing Beef recipe, you’ll need:

Yellow onion, diced
Red bell pepper, diced
Garlic, minced
Ginger, minced
Fried beef
Panda Express Beijing Beef sauce

Copycat Panda Express Beijing beef ingredients on a tray.

How to make the Beijing Beef Panda Express serves

To make the beef marinade and marinate the beef:

Trim the flank steak of any remaining fat or silverskin.
Cut the meat at an angle against the grain into quarter-inch slices. Place each piece in a mixing bowl.
Add the low-sodium soy sauce and baking soda to the bowl.
Use your hand to toss the beef with the marinade.
Cover and chill for half an hour.

To make the sauce for this Panda Express Beijing Beef recipe:

In a mixing bowl, stir together the ketchup, hoisin sauce, seasoned rice wine vinegar, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and dried red pepper flakes.
Continue stirring until the granulated sugar dissolves. Cover the bowl and set aside.

To fry the beef:

Remove the meat from the marinade and pat it dry.
Put some cornstarch in a bowl and coat each piece of meat in a thin layer. Shake off any excess and reserve.
Place a wide, thick-bottomed pot over high heat and attach a deep-fry thermometer to the side.
Add about three inches of oil to the pot and bring the oil up to 350 degrees.
In batches, carefully add the cornstarch-coated beef slices to the hot oil.
Cook the beef for three to four minutes until both sides are golden brown. Drain the meat on a paper towel-lined wire rack.
Reserve some cooking oil for later.

Collage of preparing beef and sauce for copycat Panda Express Beijing beef.

To finish Beijing Beef:

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Pour some of the reserved cooking oil into the pan.
Add the diced onions and red peppers to the hot oil and cook until the onions are translucent.
Toss in the minced garlic and ginger. Stir for about a minute or until you can smell the garlic.
Stir in the sauce and stir to coat the veggies. Add the cooked crispy beef and toss everything together.
Serve hot.

Collage of cooking vegetables and finishing Beijing beef with sauce.

Recipe variations

To cut calories without sacrificing flavor, you can skip dusting the flank steak slices with cornstarch, and instead of frying them in oil, give them a quick cook in a skillet:

Remove the slices of beef from the marinade and pat them with a paper towel. Lay the beef out on a dish.
Heat a large skillet over a medium-high flame and add a little oil.
Stirfry half of the beef until cooked to your preferred temperature, about two minutes for medium. Transfer the meat to a wire rack to drain.
Let the skillet come back up to temperature and add more oil. Cook the remaining beef.

Adding more veggies is an easy way to stretch the recipe and make it healthier. Try including a few thinly sliced carrots or blanched broccoli. Baby bok choy is also a fantastic choice if your local supermarket carries it.

Copycat Panda Express Beijing beef with rice on a plate.

What to serve with Panda Express Beijing Beef

While you could eat Beijing Beef on its own, it is better over rice. White or brown, it’s your choice. Chinese noodles like lo mein or chow fun noodles are also great options. But why not keep the Asian-inspired food theme going by including a few of the dishes in the meal?

Egg Drop Soup. The Chinese classic Egg Drop Soup is much easier to make than you think. This version from Imperial Palace is so light and flavorful you’ll want to make it often.
Cream Cheese Rangoons. A favorite appetizer at Panda Express, Cream Cheese Rangoons is wonton skin purses stuffed with cream cheese and scallions and then fried. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce.
Fried Rice. Why stick with plain rice when you can have fried rice? Making this fried Rice recipe uses commonly available ingredients and is a breeze.

How to store it

For the best taste and texture, try to cook the stir-fry right before serving, but you can save any leftovers in the fridge. Cool the food quickly and then transfer it to an airtight container.

How long does it last?

A day or two is all it takes for the beef’s coating to get soggy and the veggies to go limp, but it should still be edible for up to three days.

What is the best way to reheat Beijing Beef?

Warming up the saucy leftovers can get a bit sticky, but a good way to do it is in a 350°F oven. Wrap the food in aluminum foil and place it directly on the center rack. Reheat for 10 minutes or until hot.

Copycat Panda Express Beijing beef and rice on a plate.

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