fat cattle with golden needles

How to Make Golden Needle Beef: A Complete Guide

Golden Needle Beef, a beloved Chinese dish, tender beef strips paired with crunchy golden needle mushrooms (wood ear mushrooms), offers a perfect blend of textures and flavors. Here’s a simple yet delicious recipe to recreate it at home.

Ingredients: 200g beef sirloin, thinly sliced; 100g golden needle mushrooms, soaked and drained; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tsp oyster sauce; 1/2 tsp sugar; 1 tbsp cooking oil; 1 green onion, chopped.

Steps:

1. Marinate the beef: In a bowl, mix beef with soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and 1 tsp cornstarch. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

2. Prepare mushrooms: Soak dried golden needle mushrooms in warm water for 20 minutes until soft. Trim roots and slice into strips.

3. Stir-fry: Heat oil in a wok over high heat. Stir-fry minced garlic until fragrant. Add beef and cook until browned, about 2 minutes. Remove beef and set aside.

4. Combine: In the same wok, stir-fry mushrooms for 1 minute. Return beef to the wok, add a splash of water, and cook for another 2 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt if needed.

5. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with chopped green onion. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Tips: For extra flavor, add a pinch of five-spice powder. Ensure high heat for quick stir-frying to keep beef tender. Enjoy this savory, umami-rich dish in under 30 minutes!