Stir-Fried Szechuan Beef with Garlic and Chili Peppers
Fiery and fragrant Szechuan-style stir-fried beef tossed with garlic, dried chili peppers, and vibrant vegetables for a bold, authentic Chinese dish. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 32 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 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 8 dried red chili peppers, whole
- 5 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
- 1 tsp Szechuan peppercorns
- 1/4 cup scallions, chopped
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, and 1 tbsp cornstarch. Toss well and let marinate for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 8 whole dried red chili peppers and 1 tsp Szechuan peppercorns, stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 3: Add the marinated beef to the wok and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until browned and just cooked through.
- Step 4: Add 5 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, and 1 sliced green bell pepper. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes until the bell pepper is tender-crisp.
- Step 5: Season with 1 tsp sugar and 1/2 tsp black pepper, toss to combine and cook for 1 more minute.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped scallions before serving with steamed rice.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Szechuan Beef with Garlic and Chili Peppers take to make?
Total time is about 32 minutes (20 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 Szechuan Beef with Garlic and 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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Szechuan Beef with Garlic and 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 Szechuan Beef with Garlic and Chili Peppers 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 Szechuan Beef with Garlic and 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.
