Sichuan Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Chili

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Quick stir-fried beef strips tossed in a bold, spicy Sichuan peppercorn and chili sauce with aromatic garlic and scallions. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs soy sauce, Shaoxing wine or dry sherry, cornstarch 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: 10 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 1 pound thinly sliced flank steak with 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, and 1 tbsp cornstarch until the beef is evenly coated. Set aside for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 1 tsp lightly crushed Sichuan peppercorns and 6 broken dried red chilies, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  3. Step 3: Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp julienned fresh ginger to the wok, stir-frying for 20 seconds until aromatic.
  4. Step 4: Add the marinated beef in a single layer, stir-frying for 2-3 minutes until the beef edges start to brown and it’s nearly cooked through.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 3 chopped scallions, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 2 tbsp water. Continue cooking for another minute until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sichuan Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Chili 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 Sichuan Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Chili?

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 soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sichuan Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Chili?

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 Sichuan Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Chili 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 Sichuan Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Chili?

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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