Use code TRIPLE10 to save $10 on your first three grocery orders.
SideChef
Recipes
Dairy-Free
Bitter Melon with Black Bean Sauce
Recipe

16 INGREDIENTS • 17 STEPS • 25MINS

Bitter Melon with Black Bean Sauce

5
1 rating
A traditional stir-fried Chinese bitter melon recipe made with beef and a homemade black bean sauce made from scratch. The black bean sauce compliments the beef very well and the sauce masks some of the bitter flavor from the melon as well which is great because bitter melon itself doesn’t really have much of a flavor except bitter and ‘green’.
Add to plan
logo
Bitter Melon with Black Bean Sauce
Save
author_avatar
Pups with Chopsticks
Hi, I'm Joyce, the creator of Pups with Chopsticks food blog exploring international flavours & ingredients - bringing you delicious and fun classic and fusion recipes!
https://pupswithchopsticks.com
A traditional stir-fried Chinese bitter melon recipe made with beef and a homemade black bean sauce made from scratch. The black bean sauce compliments the beef very well and the sauce masks some of the bitter flavor from the melon as well which is great because bitter melon itself doesn’t really have much of a flavor except bitter and ‘green’.
25MINS
Total Time
$3.92
Cost Per Serving
Ingredients
Servings
2
US / Metric
Bitter Melon
1
Medium Bitter Melon
Flank Steak
7 oz
Flank Steak, thinly sliced
skirt, or any type of steak
Beef Marinade
Soy Sauce
1/2 Tbsp
Soy Sauce
Water
1 Tbsp
Cold Water
Granulated Sugar
1/2 tsp
Granulated Sugar
or Honey
Dark Soy Sauce
1/2 tsp
Dark Soy Sauce
optional
Homemade Black Bean Sauce
Fermented Black Beans
3 Tbsp
Fermented Black Beans
Cooking Wine
1 Tbsp
Cooking Wine
Oyster Sauce
1 Tbsp
Oyster Sauce
Soy Sauce
2 Tbsp
Soy Sauce
Granulated Sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp
Granulated Sugar
or Honey
Garlic
2 cloves
Garlic
Sesame Oil
1 tsp
Sesame Oil
Water
1/4 cup
Water
Corn Starch
2 Tbsp
Corn Starch
Water
3 Tbsp
Water
Nutrition Per Serving
VIEW ALL
Calories
291
Fat
9.6 g
Protein
21.6 g
Carbs
27.1 g
Add to plan
logo
Bitter Melon with Black Bean Sauce
Save
author_avatar
Pups with Chopsticks
Hi, I'm Joyce, the creator of Pups with Chopsticks food blog exploring international flavours & ingredients - bringing you delicious and fun classic and fusion recipes!
https://pupswithchopsticks.com

Author's Notes

To retain more nutrients from the bitter melon, you can skip pre-boiling the bitter melon and directly cook it in the frying pan with the sauce. The bitter melon will be more bitter and have a bit more raw veggie crunch. This recipe makes enough for 2 people but can easily be doubled with no issues.
Cooking InstructionsHide images
step 1
Cut the Bitter Melon (1) in half, scrape the seeds out with a spoon. Thinly slice the melon 1/4-inch thick and set it aside in a bowl.
step 1 Cut the Bitter Melon (1) in half, scrape the seeds out with a spoon. Thinly slice the melon 1/4-inch thick and set it aside in a bowl.
step 2
Thinly slice the Flank Steak (7 oz) and add it to a bowl.
step 3
Combine the Soy Sauce (1/2 Tbsp), Water (1 Tbsp), Granulated Sugar (1/2 tsp) and Dark Soy Sauce (1/2 tsp) into bowl with the beef and mix it together. Set it aside for later.
step 4
In a bowl, gently rinse the Fermented Black Beans (3 Tbsp) for a few seconds to soften it a bit more and to rinse out some of the salt.
step 5
On a cutting board, smush the beans up with the back of a spoon or finely chop it with a knife and add it back to the bowl.
step 5 On a cutting board, smush the beans up with the back of a spoon or finely chop it with a knife and add it back to the bowl.
step 6
Finely chop the Garlic (2 cloves) and add it to the bowl.
step 7
Combine the Cooking Wine (1 Tbsp), Oyster Sauce (1 Tbsp), Granulated Sugar (1 1/2 Tbsp), Soy Sauce (2 Tbsp), Sesame Oil (1 tsp), Water (1/4 cup) and mix and set aside.
step 8
In a separate bowl, mix the Corn Starch (2 Tbsp) and Water (3 Tbsp) and set aside for the very end. We will use the corn starch slurry to thicken the sauce.
step 9
Fill a pot up with water and set it on the stove and wait for it to boil.
step 10
Once the water is boiling, add the bitter melon in and cook it for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
step 11
Drain and run the bitter melon under cold water in a strainer or throw it in a ice bath to stop the cooking process.
step 11 Drain and run the bitter melon under cold water in a strainer or throw it in a ice bath to stop the cooking process.
step 12
Once the bitter melon is cool, set it in a strainer/colander and set it aside.
step 13
In a frying pan, add a bit of oil and set it to medium to medium-high heat. Add in the beef and quickly stir fry it until it is just cooked, approximately 3-4 minutes.
step 14
Add in the fermented black bean sauce and cook it for 1-2 minutes.
step 15
Stir the corn starch slurry, the corn starch will settle to the bottom, and once it is well mixed, add it into the sauce keep stirring until the sauce is thick and no longer translucent – the sauce should be a dark brown color that looks glossy and thick.
step 16
Add in the bitter melon and cook it for 1-2 minutes. If you didn’t boil it, cook it for 1-2 minutes more.
step 17
Serve and enjoy with a side of rice!
step 17 Serve and enjoy with a side of rice!
Tags
view more tags
Dairy-Free
Lunch
Dinner
Chinese
Quick & Easy
0 Saved
top