Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A bold Chinese stir-fry with tender beef strips and crisp broccoli in a spicy, savory Szechuan sauce. This chinese-inspired stir fry ready in about 25 minutes pairs broccoli florets, vegetable oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 10 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but still tender. Remove beef and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same wok, add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, 1 tsp toasted and crushed Szechuan peppercorns, and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 cups broccoli florets and 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp.
  4. Step 4: Return beef to the wok and pour in the cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water). Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and broccoli.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving immediately with steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli 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 Szechuan Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli?

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 broccoli florets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli?

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 Szechuan Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli 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 Szechuan Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli?

Chinese stir fry 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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