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Do you like Chinese food? Have you ever heard of Sha Cha Beef (沙茶牛肉)? If not, that’s ok, because today I am going to introduce you to this amazing dish! This savory and aromatic dish is a staple on any good Chinese restaurant menu – it combines the salty flavor of Sha Cha sauce with the tenderness of beef.
Not only does this combination create an irresistible flavor profile, but the textures combined make for a unique culinary experience that will leave your taste buds begging for more. Ready to dive into some Sha Cha Beef? Let’s get cooking!
What Is Sha Cha Beef?
Sha Cha Beef (沙茶牛肉) is a popular Chinese dish made from beef, Sha Cha sauce and vegetables. The beef is typically marinated in the Sha Chaa sauce, then stir-fried with veggies like bell peppers and onions. This savory and aromatic dish has a unique umami flavor that will leave your taste buds begging for more.
The dish gets its name from the Sha Cha sauce, a condiment made with garlic, shallots, chilies, and spices like Sichuan peppercorns, cumin, and star anise. The Sha cha sauce adds an earthy fragrance to the dish while also providing a hint of sweetness and spiciness.
What Is Sha Cha Sauce?
As I have mentioned earlier, Sha Cha sauce is a complex condiment created by blending fermented soybeans, garlic, shallots, and spicy ingredients like Sichuan peppercorns, cumin, and star anise.
The savory mixture offers an elevated aromatic experience with subtle hints of sweetness and fire that add depth to any dish. It’s an essential part of Sha Cha Beef and many other classic Chinese dishes
Where You Might’ve Seen Sha Cha Sauce?
You might have seen Sha Cha sauce in other popular dishes like Mapo tofu, a spicy tofu dish with ground pork and sha cha sauce. It’s also common to find this condiment featured in dumplings, fried rice and noodle dishes like Zhajiangmian (fried noodles with ground pork).
What Is Sha Cha Beef?
Sha Cha Beef: A Simple, Tasty Stir-Fry That I Definitely Didn’t Make Up
Sha Cha Beef is a simple, yet delicious dish that you can make at home. To start, marinate the beef with Sha Cha sauce and let it sit for at least 20 minutes to absorb the flavor.
Next, stir-fry the beef in some oil until it’s cooked through. Then add your vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, and garlic. Once the vegetables are cooked through, add your Sha Cha sauce and let it simmer for a few minutes until everything is heated through.
Once everything is finished cooking, dish up your Sha Cha Beef and enjoy!
To make Sha Cha Beef, you may want to have the equipment and ingredients mentioned underneath in hand, as well as follow the instruction that I have prepared for you:
Equipment Needed
- Wok or large frying pan
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef (sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced)
- 2 tablespoons Sha Cha sauce
- 1/2 cup bell pepper (diced)
- 1/2 cup onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon oil (vegetable or peanut)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the beef and Sha Cha sauce and mix until evenly coated. Let it sit while you prepare the vegetables.
- Heat a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and swirl to coat the surface. Add the bell pepper and onion, stirring often until they are lightly browned (about 2 minutes).
- Add the garlic and stir-fry until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
- Add the marinated beef and cook, stirring frequently, for about 3 minutes until the beef is cooked through.
- Add the Sha Cha sauce and stir to combine until everything is heated through. Serve hot.
>> Love Chinese old-fashioned cuisine? Want to taste it but don’t want to go out for a restaurant trip because it may be costly? I know, I know! That is why this short but compact cooking video here about Sha Cha beef is here for you:
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 297 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 7.7g
- Protein: 29.9g
- Fat: 16.2g
- Saturated Fat: 5.3g
- Cholesterol: 82mg
- Sodium: 305mg
- Fiber: 2.3g
- Vitamin A: 2.5% DV
- Vitamin C: 34.7% DV
- Calcium: 4.9% DV
- Iron: 13.4% DV
Tips To Make Sha Cha Beef With Sha Cha Sauce
- To make this dish extra flavorful, use freshly ground Sichuan peppercorns in place of the pre-ground version.
- The Sha Cha sauce should be added at the end and just heated through – don’t let it boil or simmer for too long as it will become bitter.
- If you want a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when you add the Sha Cha sauce.
- For best results, use high-quality beef and cook it over medium heat so that it is tender.
- If you want to lighten up the dish, substitute some of the beef with extra vegetables like mushrooms or asparagus.
- You can also add some bean sprouts at the end for a bit of crunch.
Tips To Make Sha Cha Beef With Sha Cha Sauce
Substitutions
- If you don’t have Sha Cha sauce, you can substitute it with hoisin or oyster sauce.
- You can also use pork or chicken instead of beef.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the beef with tofu and the Sha Cha sauce with vegetarian stir-fry sauce.
- Want to kick it up a notch? Add a handful of chili peppers or Sichuan peppercorns when you add the Sha Cha sauce.
Variations
- Sha Cha beef can also be served as a lettuce wrap – just fill a few large leaves of lettuce with the stir fry and enjoy!
- You could also top your sha cha beef over steamed rice or noodles.
- For a more substantial meal, add some hard-boiled eggs to the dish.
Storage
Sha Cha beef can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan over medium heat.
What To Serve With Sha Cha Beef?
Sha Cha beef pairs well with steamed white or brown rice, noodles, or a side of stir-fried vegetables. You can also serve it as lettuce wrap for a low-carb option.
Finish off the meal with some fresh fruit or crispy egg rolls.
What To Serve With Sha Cha Beef?
More Delicious Asian Recipes You’ll Like
- Shrimp Lo Mein
- Cantonese Chow Mein
- Beef Bulgogi Meatballs
- Hand-Pulled Noodles
- Easy Shrimp Fried Rice
- Garlic Chili Oil Ramen
FAQs For “Sha Cha Beef”
What does Sha Cha beef taste like?
Sha Cha beef is a Chinese stir-fry dish that has a savory, slightly sweet flavor. The beef is cooked with Sha Cha sauce, which is made from fermented soybeans, garlic, ginger, and chili peppers.
What is sha cha flavor?
Sha Cha is a savory and slightly sweet flavor. It is made with fermented soybeans, garlic, ginger, and chili peppers.
Is Sha Cha beef healthy?
Sha Cha beef is relatively healthy as it is made with lean cuts of beef and a flavorful sauce that is relatively low in calories and saturated fat.
What is Chinese sha cha?
Chinese sha cha is a type of stir-fried dish that is made with beef, vegetables, and Sha Cha sauce. The beef is marinated with Sha Cha sauce to give it a savory and slightly sweet flavor.
What is sha cha soup?
Sha Cha soup is a traditional Chinese dish that is made with savory broth, pork, tofu, and vegetables. It is typically flavored with Sha Cha sauce and is served with steamed rice or noodles.
Conclusion
Sha Cha beef is a simple and delicious Chinese stir-fry dish that is made with marinated beef, vegetables, and Sha Cha sauce. It has a savory and slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with steamed white or brown rice, noodles, or lettuce wraps. This dish can also be lightened up by using less meat and substituting some of the beef with extra vegetables.
Sha Cha beef can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated gently in a pan over medium heat. Try this dish today for a tasty, healthy dinner, and let Liliana Kitchen know what you think about it in the comment section below!
Ingredients
- 1 lb of beef (sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced)
- 2 tablespoons Sha Cha sauce
- 1/2 cup bell pepper (diced)
- 1/2 cup onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon oil (vegetable or peanut)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the beef and Sha Cha sauce and mix until evenly coated. Let it sit while you prepare the vegetables.
- Heat a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and swirl to coat the surface. Add the bell pepper and onion, stirring often until they are lightly browned (about 2 minutes).
- Add the garlic and stir-fry until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
- Add the marinated beef and cook, stirring frequently, for about 3 minutes until the beef is cooked through.
- Add the Sha Cha sauce and stir to combine until everything is heated through. Serve hot.
Notes
- Use good quality beef for this stir fry – sirloin or flank steak are both great choices.
- Marinate the beef with Sha Cha sauce for at least 20 minutes before cooking to ensure that it has absorbed all of the flavors.
- Cook the vegetables over medium-high heat so that they have a bit of char but are still tender.
- Add the Sha Cha sauce at the end and let it simmer for a few minutes to allow all of the flavors to meld together.
- Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.
