Sichuan-Style Spicy Beef Stir Fry with Garlic and Chili

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender strips of beef stir-fried with fragrant garlic, dried chili, and bold Sichuan peppercorns for a fiery, flavorful dish. This chinese-inspired stir fry ready in about 25 minutes pairs tablespoons soy sauce, tablespoon Shaoxing wine, teaspoon cornstarch 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. 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 3 Chinese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, toss 12 ounces thinly sliced flank steak with 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine, and 1 teaspoon cornstarch until evenly coated. Let marinate for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 6 broken dried red chilies and 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon minced ginger to the wok, stir-frying for 20 seconds until aromatic.
  4. Step 4: Add the marinated beef slices in a single layer, cooking undisturbed for 1 minute, then stir-fry for another 2 minutes until browned and just cooked through.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 3 sliced green onions, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil, tossing everything together for 30 seconds until the sauce coats the beef and the green onions soften slightly. Serve immediately with steamed rice.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sichuan-Style Spicy Beef Stir Fry 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-Style Spicy Beef Stir Fry 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 tablespoons soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sichuan-Style Spicy Beef Stir Fry 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-Style Spicy Beef Stir Fry with Garlic and Chili 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 Garlic and Chili?

Chinese stir fry 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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