Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried Beef with Chili Peppers

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fiery stir-fry featuring tender beef strips tossed with vibrant Szechuan chili peppers and aromatic garlic for a hot and flavorful meal. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 30 minutes pairs dried whole Szechuan chili peppers, thinly sliced garlic cloves, finely minced ginger 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak with 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine, and 1 tbsp cornstarch; toss to coat evenly and let marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering; add 10 dried whole Szechuan chili peppers and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burned.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp finely minced ginger to the wok; stir-fry for 20 seconds until aromatic.
  4. Step 4: Add the marinated beef to the wok and spread it out in a single layer; sear without stirring for 1 minute to develop a slight crust, then stir-fry for an additional 2 minutes until beef is mostly cooked.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 1/4 cup water, sprinkle 1 tsp sugar and 1/2 tsp salt; stir well and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and toss in 3 chopped green onions; stir briefly and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried Beef with Chili Peppers take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (20 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 Chili 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 thinly sliced garlic cloves from drying out.

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

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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