Stir-Fried Spicy Hunan Beef with Chili Peppers

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

A fiery stir-fry featuring tender beef strips tossed with fresh green chili peppers in a bold Hunan-style sauce. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs vegetable oil, minced garlic, minced ginger 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: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak in 1 tsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp soy sauce until evenly coated and set aside for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated beef strips and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but still tender, then transfer to a plate.
  3. Step 3: In the same wok, add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, 4 sliced fresh green chili peppers, and 1/2 tsp dry red chili flakes; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Return the beef to the wok and add 2 tbsp water, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar, and 1 tsp sugar; stir and cook for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 2 sliced scallions before serving immediately with steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Spicy Hunan Beef with Chili Peppers 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 Spicy Hunan Beef with Chili 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 vegetable oil from drying out.

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