Hot Szechuan-Style Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender strips of beef and crisp broccoli florets cooked in a hot and numbing Szechuan peppercorn chili sauce. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 30 minutes pairs broccoli florets, vegetable oil, toasted and ground Szechuan peppercorns for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, 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: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 6 broken dried red chilies and 1 tsp toasted ground Szechuan peppercorns, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, stir-frying for 20 seconds until aromatic.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly until the beef is browned but still tender.
  4. Step 4: Toss in 3 cups broccoli florets and stir-fry for 2 minutes until broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp hoisin sauce, and 1 tbsp rice vinegar. Pour in 1 tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 tbsp water to thicken the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes until sauce coats beef and broccoli evenly.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving hot with steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Hot Szechuan-Style Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Hot Szechuan-Style Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry?

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 broccoli florets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Hot Szechuan-Style Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry?

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 Hot Szechuan-Style Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Hot Szechuan-Style Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry?

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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