---
title: "Stir-Fried Yellow Beef (小炒黄牛肉)"
description: "This Hunan-style stir-fry uses high heat to bring out the tenderness and pepper aroma of the beef. The texture is fresh, spicy, and crisp, with crunchy celery, delivering a strong Hunan flavor. Beef tenderloin provides high-quality protein and easily absorbed iron, while celery adds dietary fiber for a balanced nutritional profile. The prep and cooking steps are simple and clear, using high heat throughout for a quick stir-fry that is very beginner-friendly. From prep to serving, it takes about one hour."
image: "https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/ai-generated/other_xiao-chao-huang-niu-rou.jpg"
url: "https://cookbook.cn-trending.com/r/meat_dish_xiao-chao-huang-niu-rou/"
---

# Stir-Fried Yellow Beef

**小炒黄牛肉 · xiǎo chǎo huáng niú ròu**

> Time: 1 h · Difficulty: Hard · Calories: 619 kcal · Serves: 1 serving · Category: [Meat](https://cookbook.cn-trending.com/c/meat_dish/) (荤菜)

This Hunan-style stir-fry uses high heat to bring out the tenderness and pepper aroma of the beef. The texture is fresh, spicy, and crisp, with crunchy celery, delivering a strong Hunan flavor. Beef tenderloin provides high-quality protein and easily absorbed iron, while celery adds dietary fiber for a balanced nutritional profile. The prep and cooking steps are simple and clear, using high heat throughout for a quick stir-fry that is very beginner-friendly. From prep to serving, it takes about one hour.

![](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/ai-generated/other_xiao-chao-huang-niu-rou.jpg)

## Ingredients

- 400 g Beef tenderloin (牛里脊) — per serving
  - Tip: Choose beef tenderloin that is bright red, finely textured, and springy to the touch.
- 200 g Celery (芹菜) — per serving
  - Tip: Choose celery with crisp stems, bright green leaves, and no tough fibers.
- 30 g Bird's eye chili (小米椒) — per serving
  - Tip: Choose fresh chilies that are bright red and firm.
- 30 g Pickled wild chili (野山椒) — per serving
  - Tip: It is recommended to buy wild mountain pepper in bags or bottles for better flavor.
- 30 g Cilantro (香菜) — per serving
  - Tip: Choose cilantro with intact roots and bright green leaves that are not yellowing.
- 15 ml Cooking oil (食用油) — per serving
  - Tip: Use a high-heat-resistant vegetable oil, such as rapeseed oil or peanut oil.
- 6 ml Soy sauce (酱油) — per serving
  - Tip: Light soy sauce is recommended for seasoning to add umami and a light color.

## Tools

Wok, Cleaver / chef's knife, Cutting board, Serving plate

## Method (9 steps)

1. **Prep the Beef** — Cut the beef tenderloin into thin slices no wider than 3cm and no thicker than 3mm. Add 6ml soy sauce and toss by hand until evenly coated. Set aside.
   - Duration: 10 min
   - Tip: Cutting against the grain makes the meat more tender.
   - Tip: Let it marinate briefly after tossing to allow the beef to absorb more flavor.
   ![Step 1: Prep the Beef](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/other_xiao-chao-huang-niu-rou/step_1.jpg)
2. **Prep the Celery** — Cut the celery into small pieces no longer than 5cm. Set aside.
   - Duration: 3 min
   - Tip: Cutting on a bias increases the surface area, helping it absorb flavor more easily.
   ![Step 2: Prep the Celery](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/other_xiao-chao-huang-niu-rou/step_2.jpg)
3. **Prep the Bird's Eye Chili** — Cut the bird's eye chili into thin strips. Set aside.
   - Duration: 2 min
   - Tip: If you prefer less heat, remove some of the chili seeds.
   ![Step 3: Prep the Bird's Eye Chili](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/other_xiao-chao-huang-niu-rou/step_3.jpg)
4. **Prep the Wild Mountain Pepper** — Chop the wild mountain pepper into small pieces. Set aside.
   - Duration: 1 min
   - Tip: The sour-spicy flavor of the wild mountain pepper is the soul of this dish.
   ![Step 4: Prep the Wild Mountain Pepper](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/other_xiao-chao-huang-niu-rou/step_4.jpg)
5. **Prep the Cilantro** — Cut the cilantro into small pieces no longer than 3cm. Set aside.
   - Duration: 1 min
   - Tip: Keep the cilantro stems for a crispier texture.
   ![Step 5: Prep the Cilantro](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/other_xiao-chao-huang-niu-rou/step_5.jpg)
6. **Heat the Wok and Oil** — Heat the wok. Add 15ml cooking oil and wait 30 seconds over high heat to raise the oil temperature.
   - Duration: 30 sec
   - Tip: The oil temperature must be high enough so the beef stays tender.
   ![Step 6: Heat the Wok and Oil](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/other_xiao-chao-huang-niu-rou/step_6.jpg)
7. **Fry the Aromatics** — Add the bird's eye chili and wild mountain pepper and stir-fry until fragrant.
   - Duration: 20 sec
   - Tip: Stir quickly to avoid burning the chilies.
   ![Step 7: Fry the Aromatics](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/other_xiao-chao-huang-niu-rou/step_7.jpg)
8. **Stir-Fry Over High Heat** — Add the beef tenderloin and celery, then stir-fry over high heat for 1 minute.
   - Duration: 1 min
   - Tip: Work quickly. High-heat stir-frying locks in the beef's moisture.
   ![Step 8: Stir-Fry Over High Heat](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/other_xiao-chao-huang-niu-rou/step_8.jpg)
9. **Add Cilantro and Serve** — Turn off the heat, sprinkle with cilantro, and plate.
   - Duration: 10 sec
   - Tip: Use the residual heat to toss the cilantro in.
   ![Step 9: Add Cilantro and Serve](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/other_xiao-chao-huang-niu-rou/step_9.jpg)

## Tips

- Use high heat throughout the entire cooking process.

## Overview image

![Stir-Fried Yellow Beef — ingredients and steps overview](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/overview/other_xiao-chao-huang-niu-rou_overview.jpg)

## Source

Recipe text from [HowToCook](https://github.com/Anduin2017/HowToCook), structured by [Vibe Cook](https://github.com/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend). Public domain (Unlicense).

Original: https://github.com/Anduin2017/HowToCook/blob/master/dishes/meat_dish/小炒黄牛肉/小炒黄牛肉.md

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---

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