Stir-Fried Szechuan Beef with Peppers and Scallions

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-05 · Updated 2026-07-05

Tender strips of beef stir-fried with colorful bell peppers and scallions in a bold Szechuan sauce with a spicy kick. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs medium, julienned red bell pepper, medium, julienned green bell pepper, cut into 2-inch pieces scallions for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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, thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
• 1 medium, julienned red bell pepper
• 1 medium, julienned green bell pepper
• 4, cut into 2-inch pieces scallions
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar
• 1 tsp, toasted and crushed Szechuan peppercorns
• 1 tbsp chili paste
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 3 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp brown sugar

Instructions

1. Step 1: Toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar, 1 tbsp chili paste, 3 tbsp water, and 1 tsp brown sugar to create the sauce.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering.
4. Step 4: Add the beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked. Remove beef and set aside.
5. Step 5: In the same pan, add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Step 6: Add 1 medium julienned red bell pepper, 1 medium julienned green bell pepper, and 4 scallions cut into 2-inch pieces. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
7. Step 7: Return the beef to the pan along with the sauce mixture and 1 tsp toasted, crushed Szechuan peppercorns. Stir-fry everything together for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and vegetables.
8. Step 8: Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the dish, toss gently, and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.