Stir-Fried Chinese Ghost Pepper Beef with Scallions

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fiery stir-fry featuring tender beef slices and spicy ghost peppers balanced with fresh scallions for a bold Chinese-inspired dish. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 30 minutes pairs soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, cornstarch 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: 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, toss 12 oz (340 g) thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tbsp cornstarch, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until just browned and nearly cooked through, then remove beef from wok and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 tbsp minced ginger, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 2 thinly sliced ghost peppers to the hot wok. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  4. Step 4: Return the beef to the wok along with 4 scallions cut into 2-inch pieces, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1/4 cup (60 ml) water. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes until scallions soften slightly and sauce thickens to coat the beef.
  5. Step 5: Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the dish, toss to combine, and remove from heat. Serve immediately with steamed rice.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Chinese Ghost Pepper Beef with Scallions 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 Stir-Fried Chinese Ghost Pepper Beef with Scallions?

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 soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Chinese Ghost Pepper Beef with Scallions?

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 Chinese Ghost Pepper Beef with Scallions 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 Stir-Fried Chinese Ghost Pepper Beef with Scallions?

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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