Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Peppers

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

A bold and spicy stir-fry featuring tender beef strips tossed with garlic, bell peppers, and a fiery Szechuan peppercorn sauce. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs toasted and ground Szechuan peppercorns, minced garlic cloves, medium, julienned red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp soy sauce; set aside for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering, then add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp ground toasted Szechuan peppercorns; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add the marinated beef and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until browned but still tender.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 julienned red bell pepper and 1 julienned green bell pepper, cooking for 2 minutes until just tender-crisp.
  5. Step 5: Mix 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp hoisin sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes; pour over the beef and vegetables, tossing to coat and cooking for another minute until the sauce thickens and clings.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced scallions before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Peppers 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 Garlic and 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 minced garlic cloves from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and 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 Garlic and 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 Garlic and 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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