Sichuan-Style Spicy Beef Stir Fry with Peanuts and Scallions

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

A bold and spicy Chinese stir fry featuring tender beef strips tossed with crunchy peanuts, scallions, and a fiery Sichuan pepper sauce. This Chinese-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs cornstarch, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry) 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 2 tbsp cornstarch, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, and 1 tsp sesame oil. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 4 chopped dried red chili peppers and 1 tsp lightly crushed Sichuan peppercorns. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add the marinated beef in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes without stirring to get a good sear, then stir-fry for another 2 minutes until browned.
  4. Step 4: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, and 4 sliced scallions. Stir-fry for 1 minute until aromatic.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 1/4 cup chicken broth, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1 tbsp soy sauce. Stir well and cook for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and toss in 1/2 cup roughly chopped roasted peanuts. Serve immediately with steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sichuan-Style Spicy Beef Stir Fry with Peanuts and Scallions take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 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 Spicy Beef Stir Fry with Peanuts and Scallions?

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 cornstarch from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sichuan-Style Spicy Beef Stir Fry with Peanuts and Scallions?

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 Peanuts and Scallions 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 Stir Fry with Peanuts and Scallions?

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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