Spicy Szechuan-Style Stir-Fried Beef with Peppers and Garlic

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender strips of beef quickly stir-fried with bell peppers, garlic, and a fiery Szechuan sauce that balances heat and savory notes. This chinese-inspired game day ready in about 25 minutes pairs medium, julienned red bell pepper, medium, julienned green bell pepper, 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.

★ 4.1 (14 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tsp chili paste, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 2 tbsp water until smooth; set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until just browned but not fully cooked; remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same wok, add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, and 1 tsp toasted ground Szechuan peppercorns; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 medium julienned red bell pepper and 1 medium julienned green bell pepper, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.
  5. Step 5: Return the beef to the wok, pour in the prepared sauce, and toss everything together. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and vegetables evenly.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat, garnish with 2 sliced green onions, and serve immediately with steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Szechuan-Style Stir-Fried Beef with Peppers and Garlic 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-Style Stir-Fried Beef with Peppers and Garlic?

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-Style Stir-Fried Beef with Peppers and Garlic?

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-Style Stir-Fried Beef with Peppers and Garlic 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-Style Stir-Fried Beef with Peppers and Garlic?

Chinese game day 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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