Sichuan-Style Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Tender strips of beef stir-fried with crisp broccoli florets in a spicy, savory Sichuan-inspired sauce that delivers bold flavors in under 30 minutes. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs broccoli florets, vegetable oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, minced ginger
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp, toasted and crushed Sichuan peppercorns
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2, sliced diagonally green onions
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat. Add beef in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the pan. Stir-fry 4 cups broccoli florets for 3-4 minutes until bright green and just tender.
- Step 4: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger to broccoli, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 5: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp hoisin sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1/4 cup water, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp toasted crushed Sichuan peppercorns, and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes.
- Step 6: Return beef to the pan and pour sauce mixture over. Stir-fry everything together for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats beef and broccoli.
- Step 7: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions. Serve over steamed rice if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sichuan-Style Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Sichuan-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 Sichuan-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 Sichuan-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 Sichuan-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.