Hunan-Style Braised Beef with Garlic and Chilies

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-26 · Updated 2026-07-26

A hearty braised beef dish from Hunan province, slow-cooked with garlic, dried chilies, and soy for deep, spicy flavors. This Chinese-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 135 minutes, pairs beef chuck, vegetable oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.

Ingredients

• 1 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 6, smashed garlic cloves
• 8 whole dried red chili peppers
• 1 tbsp, sliced ginger
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
• 2 whole star anise
• 2 cups water or beef broth
• 2, chopped for garnish scallions
• 1 tsp sugar

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb beef chuck cubes and sear for 5-6 minutes until browned on all sides.
2. Step 2: Add 6 smashed garlic cloves, 8 whole dried red chili peppers, 1 tbsp sliced ginger, and 2 whole star anise; stir for 1 minute until aromatic.
3. Step 3: Pour in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tsp sugar, and 2 cups water or beef broth; bring to a boil.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened.
5. Step 5: Remove the star anise and discard. Garnish with 2 chopped scallions before serving with steamed rice or noodles.