Quick Szechuan-Style Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers and Scallions
Tender strips of beef stir-fried with crunchy bell peppers and scallions in a spicy, tangy Szechuan sauce for a fast and satisfying dinner. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 30 minutes pairs cornstarch, vegetable oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 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 flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 1 tsp dried red chili flakes
- 1 tsp Szechuan peppercorns, toasted and ground
- 1 large red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
- 1 large green bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
- 4 stalks scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp black vinegar or rice vinegar
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 2 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated. Set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the beef in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until browned but not fully cooked. Remove beef from wok and set aside.
- Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the wok. Stir-fry 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, 1 tsp dried red chili flakes, and 1 tsp toasted ground Szechuan peppercorns for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 large sliced red bell pepper, 1 large sliced green bell pepper, and 4 scallions cut into 2-inch pieces. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until vegetables start to soften but remain crisp.
- Step 5: Return the beef to the wok. Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp black or rice vinegar, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until sauce thickens and beef is cooked through.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick Szechuan-Style Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers and Scallions 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 Quick Szechuan-Style Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers and Scallions?
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 cornstarch from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Szechuan-Style Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers and Scallions?
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 Quick Szechuan-Style Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers and Scallions 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 Quick Szechuan-Style Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers and Scallions?
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.
