Spicy Hunan Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers

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

A vibrant stir-fry featuring tender beef strips tossed with colorful bell peppers in a fiery Hunan-style sauce. This chinese ready in about 30 minutes pairs flank steak, red bell pepper, green bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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: 15 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, toss 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tbsp cornstarch and 2 tbsp soy sauce until evenly coated; set aside for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp finely grated ginger, and 1 tsp dried red chili flakes; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add the marinated beef to the wok and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the edges start to brown and beef is nearly cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 sliced red bell pepper and 1 sliced green bell pepper to the wok; continue stir-frying for 2-3 minutes until peppers are crisp-tender.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar; cook for 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef and peppers.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil on top, then garnish with 2 sliced scallions before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Hunan Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Spicy Hunan 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 flank steak from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Hunan 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 Spicy Hunan 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 Spicy Hunan Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers?

Chinese chinese 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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