Spicy Sichuan Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Green Beans

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender beef strips stir-fried with crisp green beans in a bold, spicy Sichuan sauce bursting with garlic and chili flavors. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 30 minutes pairs flank steak thinly sliced, green beans trimmed, vegetable oil 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine; set aside for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add 12 oz trimmed green beans and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp; remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the hot wok and add 5 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp doubanjiang (Sichuan chili bean paste), 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp sugar, mixing well.
  5. Step 5: Add the marinated beef and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  6. Step 6: Return green beans to the wok, pour in 1/4 cup water, and toss everything together, cooking for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef and beans.
  7. Step 7: Garnish with 2 sliced scallions and serve hot with steamed rice.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Sichuan Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Green Beans 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 Sichuan Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Green Beans?

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 thinly sliced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Sichuan Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Green Beans?

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 Sichuan Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Green Beans 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 Sichuan Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Green Beans?

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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