Chen's Szechuan Beef with Snap Peas

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant stir-fry featuring tender beef strips in a spicy-sweet Szechuan sauce, paired with crisp snap peas for a quick weeknight dinner. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs beef flank steak, soy sauce, rice vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.6 (15 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 Chinese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Slice beef flank steak against the grain into 1/4-inch strips. Toss with 1 tbsp cornstarch until coated.
  2. Step 2: Whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp sesame oil in a small bowl.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add beef strips and stir-fry 2-3 minutes until browned. Push beef to side, add 1/2 tsp Szechuan peppercorns, then stir to combine.
  5. Step 5: Add snap peas and sauce, stirring until sauce thickens and coats ingredients (about 2 minutes). Serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Chen's Szechuan Beef with Snap Peas take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Chen's Szechuan Beef with Snap Peas?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef flank steak from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chen's Szechuan Beef with Snap Peas?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Chen's Szechuan Beef with Snap Peas for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Chen's Szechuan Beef with Snap Peas?

Chinese beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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