Stir-Fried Beef with Chinese Five-Spice and Snow Peas

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

Quick stir-fried beef strips tossed with snow peas and a fragrant Chinese five-spice sauce, delivering a balanced savory and aromatic dish perfect for a weeknight meal. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs Chinese five-spice powder, divided soy sauce, cornstarch for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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 4 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 1/2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder, and 1 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated; set aside for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked. Remove beef and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the wok, then stir-fry 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp finely grated ginger for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 2 cups trimmed snow peas and stir-fry for 2 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender.
  5. Step 5: Return beef to the wok, add 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes if using. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes until beef is cooked through and sauce coats everything.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat, garnish with 2 sliced green onions, and serve immediately with steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Beef with Chinese Five-Spice and Snow Peas 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 Stir-Fried Beef with Chinese Five-Spice and Snow Peas?

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 chinese five-spice powder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Beef with Chinese Five-Spice and Snow Peas?

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 Stir-Fried Beef with Chinese Five-Spice and Snow Peas for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Stir-Fried Beef with Chinese Five-Spice and Snow Peas?

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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