Sichuan-Style Spicy Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers
A fiery stir fry featuring tender strips of beef tossed with colorful bell peppers, garlic, and a bold Sichuan peppercorn sauce that tingles the palate. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs garlic cloves, minced, ginger, minced, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 3, 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
- 12 oz flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
- 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, toasted and ground
- 1 tbsp chili paste (doubanjiang preferred)
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp water
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 3 tbsp water to create a smooth stir fry sauce.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak and stir fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but still tender. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same pan, add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, stir frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 tbsp chili paste and 1 tsp toasted ground Sichuan peppercorns, stirring for 15 seconds to release aromas.
- Step 5: Toss in 1 medium sliced red bell pepper and 1 medium sliced green bell pepper, stir frying for 2-3 minutes until just tender-crisp.
- Step 6: Return the beef to the pan, pour in the prepared sauce, and stir fry for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats all ingredients.
- Step 7: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving immediately with steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sichuan-Style Spicy Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers 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-Style Spicy Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers?
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 garlic cloves, minced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sichuan-Style Spicy Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers?
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 Stir Fry with Bell Peppers for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Stir Fry with Bell Peppers?
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.
