Spicy Stir-Fried Hunan Beef with Water Chestnuts and Baby Corn

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

Tender sliced beef stir-fried with crunchy water chestnuts, baby corn, and green peppers in a fiery Hunan-style chili sauce. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 27 minutes pairs sliced beef sirloin, water chestnuts, sliced, baby corn, halved 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: 12 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 12 oz sliced beef sirloin with 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine and 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water; set aside for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 1 tbsp minced ginger and 3 minced garlic cloves, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add the marinated beef and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until just browned but still tender; remove beef and set aside.
  4. Step 4: In the same wok, add 1/2 cup sliced water chestnuts, 1/2 cup halved baby corn, and 1 medium sliced green bell pepper; stir-fry for 2 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
  5. Step 5: Return the beef to the wok, then add 2 tbsp Hunan chili paste, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 1/4 cup chicken broth. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats all ingredients.
  6. Step 6: Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the dish and toss with 2 sliced green onions before serving hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Stir-Fried Hunan Beef with Water Chestnuts and Baby Corn take to make?

Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Hunan Beef with Water Chestnuts and Baby Corn?

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 sliced beef sirloin from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Stir-Fried Hunan Beef with Water Chestnuts and Baby Corn?

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 Hunan Beef with Water Chestnuts and Baby Corn 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 Stir-Fried Hunan Beef with Water Chestnuts and Baby Corn?

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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