Szechuan Spicy Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Chili

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A bold and fiery stir-fry featuring tender beef strips cooked with garlic and fresh chili peppers, delivering a knockout punch of flavor. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs thinly sliced beef sirloin, sliced fresh red chili peppers, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 Chinese cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI →

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 300g thinly sliced beef sirloin with 1 tbsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp soy sauce until evenly coated and set aside for 10 minutes to marinate.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering, then add 1 tsp toasted and ground Szechuan peppercorns, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp minced ginger; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add the marinated beef slices to the wok and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the beef is browned and just cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 3 sliced fresh red chili peppers, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp sesame oil; cook for another 1-2 minutes until the chili softens and the sauce coats the beef.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat, season with salt to taste, and garnish with 2 chopped green onions before serving immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Szechuan Spicy Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Chili 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 Szechuan Spicy Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Chili?

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 beef sirloin from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Szechuan Spicy Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Chili?

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 Szechuan Spicy Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Chili for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Szechuan Spicy Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Chili?

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.

Related recipes