Spicy Chili-Infused Szechuan Stir Fry with Bell Peppers

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-23 · Updated 2026-05-23

A fiery Szechuan-style stir fry bursting with the heat of chili oil and fresh bell peppers, perfect for those who crave bold flavors and a hot kick. This Chinese-inspired stir-fry recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs vegetable oil, Szechuan chili oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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

• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp Szechuan chili oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
• 1 large red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
• 1 large green bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
• 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp water

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
2. Step 2: Add 1 large sliced red bell pepper, 1 large sliced green bell pepper, and 1 medium sliced yellow onion to the wok. Stir fry for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp and edges slightly charred.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 2 tbsp water until smooth. Pour this sauce into the wok along with 2 tbsp Szechuan chili oil and 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes.
4. Step 4: Toss the vegetables in the sauce mixture, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the vegetables evenly.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 chopped scallions over the stir fry before serving.