This keto Hunan beef skillet has fiery heat, bold flavors, and complex balance of savory, tangy, and sweet ingredients. It’s a must-make when you’re craving Chinese food on the keto diet.
What Is Hunan Beef
Hunan beef is a classic Chinese dish that usually features thinly sliced steak and veggies that are fried in a bold sauce. The traditional recipe often relies on starchy sauces and a hefty dose of sugar.
And the ingredients are different depending on which restaurant you order it from. But most versions have spice and sweetness mixed together in a perfect balance.
When you’re on a keto diet, it’s probably best to avoid ordering a Hunan beef from the restaurant. That’s why I set out to make a copycat version that has a lot less carbs in it.
By using low-carb ingredients, I kept the rich flavors. But there are only 6 grams net carbs in each serving.
Hunan Beef Skillet
This Hunan beef skillet isn’t just low in carbs, it’s a really quick meal to make too! After just 15 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of cooking time, dinner is ready.
There are a lot of ways to speed this up, too. Buy the steak already cut into thin strips and pre-chop the bell peppers and broccoli.
You can also prepare the sauce ahead of time. In fact, you can use this sauce on other meats.
Make Hunan chicken by using chicken broth instead of beef broth. Or slice a pork loin into thin strips and make Hunan pork. It’s so easy!
Keto Hunan Beef
What is the best cut of steak to use in Hunan beef? I used flank steak because I love how tender it is, even when you fry it on the stove. You could also use sirloin steak in this meal.
But I suggest avoiding tougher cuts of beef like stew meat. This will be way too tough to eat and requires slow roasting to tenderize it first.
What To Eat With Hunan Beef
Keto Hunan beef skillet will taste delicious with any of your favorite keto-friendly Chinese side dishes. Start out with a bowl of keto egg drop soup – it’s a staple whenever I make Chinese food for dinner.
Instead of a salad, I’ll serve some low-carb tuna sushi in a bowl. It has the same flavors but fewer carbs.
You could also make some Keto TikTok Salmon Sushi Nori Cups; and keto Cauliflower Fried Rice is a no-brainer.
How To Store Leftover Beef
Add the keto Hunan beef skillet to your weekly meal prep. The steak and veggies heat up really well. Place the leftover beef meal in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to three days.
You can freeze this meal, too. Place the cooked meal in an airtight food storage bag and keep it in the freezer for up to six months.
Keto Hunan Beef Skillet Recipe
Here are the ingredients to make this keto Hunan beef skillet recipe. The exact measurements are in the printable recipe card just a little further below. First, I have some step-by-step pictures showing you how I made it.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Net Carbs: 6 net carbs per serving
Ingredients:
For The Skillet:
- Flank steak cut into thin strips
- Olive oil
- Red bell pepper roughly chopped
- Onion chopped
- Broccoli florets
- Salt and white pepper to taste
For the sauce:
- Minced garlic
- Sesame oil
- Soy sauce
- Fish sauce
- Beef broth
- Rice vinegar
- Swerve brown sugar substitute
- Chili paste
Instructions:
Add the olive oil to a skillet over medium high heat.
Season the steak with salt and white pepper to taste. Sear in the skillet until cooked through.
Remove the steak and set aside. Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the onions and peppers, and saute until beginning to soften.
Mix in the broccoli, cover and steam until the broccoli is a crisp tender.
Return the meat to the skillet. Whisk together the sauce ingredients in a bowl, and pour into the skillet. Stir to combine well.
Simmer for 5 minutes, or until at least ½ of the liquid is absorbed.
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Keto Hunan Beef Skillet
Equipment
- Skillet
Ingredients
Skillet Meal
- 1 pound Flank Steak cut into thin strips
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Red Bell Pepper roughly chopped
- 1/2 Onion chopped
- 2 cups Broccoli Florets
- Salt and White Pepper to taste
Hunan Beef Sauce
- 2 tsp Minced Garlic
- 2 tsp Sesame Oil
- 3 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 tbsp Fish Sauce
- 3 tbsp Beef Broth
- 1 tsp Rice Vinegar
- 2 tbsp Swerve Brown Sugar Substitute
- 1 tbsp Chili Paste
Instructions
- Add the olive oil to a skillet over medium high heat.
- Season the steak with salt and white pepper to taste. Sear in the skillet until cooked through.
- Remove the steak and set aside. Reduce the heat to medium.
- Stir in the onions and peppers, and saute until beginning to soften.
- Mix in the broccoli, cover and steam until the broccoli is a crisp tender.
- Return the meat to the skillet.
- Whisk together the sauce ingredients in a bowl, and pour into the skillet. Stir to combine well.
- Simmer for 5 minutes, or until at least ½ of the liquid is absorbed.
Notes
Keto Beef Recipes
If you enjoyed this keto Hunan Beef skillet, here are some more delicious keto beef recipes you should make next.
