Spicy Beef Stir-Fry with Garlic and Fresh Chili
Quick stir-fried beef strips tossed with aromatic garlic and fiery fresh chilies, perfect for a fast and flavorful dinner. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 20 minutes pairs flank steak, garlic cloves, fresh red chili peppers for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 2 thinly sliced fresh red chili peppers
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2 chopped for garnish green onions
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but still tender. Remove beef and set aside.
- Step 2: Lower heat to medium-high, add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 thinly sliced fresh red chili peppers to the wok. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Step 3: Return beef to the wok and add 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, and 1 tsp brown sugar. Toss everything together and cook for another 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef.
- Step 4: Remove from heat, sprinkle 2 chopped green onions on top, and serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Beef Stir-Fry with Garlic and Fresh Chili take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 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 Spicy Beef Stir-Fry with Garlic and Fresh 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 flank steak from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Beef Stir-Fry with Garlic and Fresh 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 Spicy Beef Stir-Fry with Garlic and Fresh Chili 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 Spicy Beef Stir-Fry with Garlic and Fresh Chili?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Absolutely delicious! The only reason it's not 5 stars is that I used a bit too much soy sauce, but the recipe is spot on.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Made it for my date night, and it was a hit.
- ★★★★★
My husband and kids devoured this! So easy and packed with flavor.
