Sichuan-Style Spicy Beef Noodle Soup

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

A numbingly spicy broth with tender beef, fresh bok choy, and chewy noodles, balanced with aromatic ginger and Sichuan peppercorns. This chinese-inspired soups ready in about 33 minutes pairs ground beef, Sichuan peppercorns, dried red chilies for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

★ 4.6 (12 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 18 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toast Sichuan peppercorns in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant, then grind to a fine powder. Break dried red chilies into pieces.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil in a pot over medium heat. Sauté 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon minced ginger for 30 seconds until aromatic.
  3. Step 3: Add ground beef, breaking it apart, and cook until browned (5 minutes). Stir in ground Sichuan peppercorns, broken chilies, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, and 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; cook 1 minute.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 4 cups beef broth, bring to a gentle simmer, and add 8 ounces cooked udon noodles. Stir in 4 cups chopped bok choy and cook 3 minutes until wilted and tender.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sichuan-Style Spicy Beef Noodle Soup take to make?

Total time is about 33 minutes (15 min prep + 18 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 Spicy Beef Noodle Soup?

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 ground beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sichuan-Style Spicy Beef Noodle Soup?

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 Spicy Beef Noodle Soup 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 Spicy Beef Noodle Soup?

Chinese soups 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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