Stir-Fried Spicy Hunan Beef with Bell Peppers

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

A vibrant stir-fry featuring tender beef strips tossed with colorful bell peppers and a bold, spicy Hunan sauce. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 27 minutes pairs thinly sliced flank steak, minced garlic cloves, tablespoon, minced ginger root for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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: 12 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, toss 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak with 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon soy sauce, mixing until beef is evenly coated; set aside for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 6 halved dried red chilies and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon minced ginger to the wok, stir-frying for 30 seconds until aromatic.
  4. Step 4: Increase heat to high and add the marinated beef, spreading it out; stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until beef is browned but still tender.
  5. Step 5: Add 1 medium sliced red bell pepper and 1 medium sliced green bell pepper, stir-frying for 2 minutes until peppers soften but remain crisp.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 2 tablespoons chili bean paste, 1 tablespoon Chinese black vinegar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil; cook for another 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats all ingredients.
  7. Step 7: Toss in 3 sliced scallions, stir briefly, then remove from heat and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Spicy Hunan Beef with Bell Peppers take to make?

Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Spicy Hunan Beef with Bell 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 thinly sliced flank steak from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Spicy Hunan Beef with Bell 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 Stir-Fried Spicy Hunan Beef with Bell 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 Stir-Fried Spicy Hunan Beef with Bell 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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