Half-Portion Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried Beef

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A spicy and savory Szechuan stir-fry featuring tender beef cooked with bold chili and peppercorn flavors in a quick, half-portion recipe. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs toasted and ground Szechuan peppercorns, whole, halved dried red chilies, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 8 oz thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tsp cornstarch, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine in a bowl; let marinate for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 6 halved dried red chilies and 1 tsp toasted ground Szechuan peppercorns; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger to the wok, stir-frying for 20 seconds until aromatic.
  4. Step 4: Add the marinated beef to the wok and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the beef is browned and cooked through.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 tsp sugar, and 2 sliced green onions; toss for 1 minute until the sauce coats the beef evenly. Serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Half-Portion Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried Beef 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 Half-Portion Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried Beef?

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 minced garlic cloves from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Portion Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried Beef?

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 Half-Portion Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried Beef 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 Half-Portion Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried Beef?

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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