Szechuan-Style Spicy Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender slices of beef tossed with crisp broccoli florets in a bold and spicy Szechuan sauce for a fiery, satisfying meal. This chinese-inspired chinese ready in about 27 minutes pairs flank steak, thinly sliced, broccoli florets, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

★ 4.2 (15 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 12 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 380 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI →

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Szechuan chili paste, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 1/4 cup water until smooth; set sauce aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 cups broccoli florets and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp; remove broccoli and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the skillet, then add 10 oz thinly sliced flank steak, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp minced ginger. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until beef is browned and aromatic.
  4. Step 4: Return broccoli to the skillet and pour in the prepared sauce mixture. Stir constantly and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and broccoli evenly.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Szechuan-Style Spicy Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry 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 Szechuan-Style Spicy Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry?

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 flank steak, thinly sliced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Szechuan-Style Spicy Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry?

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-Style Spicy Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry 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 Szechuan-Style Spicy Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry?

Chinese chinese 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes