Spicy Stir-Fried Beef with Chili Garlic Sauce

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

Tender strips of beef wok-tossed with a bold chili garlic sauce, accented by bell peppers and scallions for a fiery, satisfying meal. This asian-inspired super bowl ready in about 25 minutes pairs flank steak, soy sauce, cornstarch for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 2, 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.

★ 4.0 (12 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 Asian cuisine 400 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 8 oz thinly sliced flank steak with 2 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp cornstarch in a bowl until evenly coated; let marinate for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add beef slices and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked; remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same wok, add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger, stir-frying for 30 seconds until aromatic.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 sliced red bell pepper and 3 sliced scallions, cooking for 2 minutes until tender-crisp.
  5. Step 5: Return beef to the wok, stir in 2 tbsp chili garlic sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1 tbsp rice vinegar. Stir-fry everything together for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the beef evenly before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Stir-Fried Beef with Chili Garlic Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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 Stir-Fried Beef with Chili Garlic Sauce?

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 Stir-Fried Beef with Chili Garlic Sauce?

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 Stir-Fried Beef with Chili Garlic Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Stir-Fried Beef with Chili Garlic Sauce?

Asian super bowl 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

Related recipes