Stir-Fried Sichuan Beef with Peanuts

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fiery, aromatic stir-fry featuring tender beef marinated in cornstarch, tossed with Sichuan peppercorns, peanuts, and a balanced sauce. This chinese-inspired chinese ready in about 35 minutes pairs flank steak, peanuts, Sichuan peppercorns for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

★ 4.4 (10 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Slice 12 oz flank steak thinly against the grain, then toss with 1 tbsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp soy sauce; rest 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp cooking oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 5 dried red chilies and 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant and darkened.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 inch minced ginger, stir-frying 1 minute until golden.
  4. Step 4: Add marinated beef, stir-frying 2-3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup peanuts, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, and 1/4 cup water; cook 2 minutes until sauce thickens.
  6. Step 6: Add 3 sliced green onions, stir-frying 1 minute until tender-crisp.
  7. Step 7: Remove from heat and serve immediately over steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Sichuan Beef with Peanuts take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 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 Sichuan Beef with Peanuts?

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 flank steak from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Sichuan Beef with Peanuts?

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 Sichuan Beef with Peanuts 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 Sichuan Beef with Peanuts?

Chinese chinese 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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