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szechuan beef with rice on a plate garnished with sesame seeds.
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4.67 from 3 votes

Szechuan Beef

Szechuan Beef is a flavorful stir-fry featuring tender slices of marinated beef, crisp bell peppers, and onions in a spicy, savory sauce. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for a weeknight dinner that packs a punch of bold flavors.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Servings: 4
Calories: 403kcal
Author: Joanna Cismaru

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Beef Marinade:

  • 1 pound flank steak thinly sliced against the grain
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce low sodium
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

For the Sauce:

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce low sodium
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon sugar

For the Stir-Fry:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger minced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper cut into 1 inch square pieces
  • 1 medium green bell pepper cut into 1 inch square pieces
  • 1 small onion cut into 1 inch square pieces
  • ½ cup roasted peanuts optional
  • 2 green onions sliced (for garnish)
  • sesame seeds for garnish, optional
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Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, combine the sliced flank steak with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Toss to coat evenly and let marinate for at least 10 minutes.
    process shots showing how to make szechuan beef.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, and sugar. Set aside.
    process shots showing how to make szechuan beef.
  • In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over high heat. Add the marinated beef and cook until browned and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
    process shots showing how to make szechuan beef.
  • In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the minced garlic and ginger and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the sliced red and green bell peppers and onion. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
    process shots showing how to make szechuan beef.
  • Return the cooked beef to the skillet. Pour the sauce over the beef and vegetables, stirring to coat everything evenly. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until the sauce is heated through and slightly thickened.
    process shots showing how to make szechuan beef.
  • If using, stir in the roasted peanuts. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
    process shots showing how to make szechuan beef.
  • Serve immediately over cooked rice.

Notes

  1. Slice the beef thinly against the grain to keep it tender during cooking.
  2. Adjust the amount of chili garlic sauce to control the spice level to your liking.
  3. If you’re short on time, you can marinate the beef for as little as 10 minutes, but longer marinating will give it more flavor.
  4. Use any vegetables you like in this stir-fry, such as broccoli or snap peas, for added variety.
  5. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in a skillet for best results.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 403kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 1202mg | Potassium: 782mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1102IU | Vitamin C: 65mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 3mg