This Szechuan Beef stir fry combines mouthwatering marinated flank steak with tender-crisp bell peppers, onions, garlic, and ginger in a spicy and savory sauce seasoned with Szechuan peppercorns and a little bit of brown sugar to mellow the heat.
The Best Szechuan Beef
This is one of our favorite stir-fry dishes, much better than Chinese take-out, and a must-try for spicy food lovers. It is healthy, easy to make, and so full of flavor. I love to serve this with my gyoza (Japanese potstickers), classic egg rolls, bacon-wrapped water chestnuts, or crab rangoons.
Ingredients for Szechuan Beef
For the sauce, you will need low-sodium beef broth, low-sodium soy sauce, oyster sauce or hoisin sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, cornstarch, and Szechuan peppercorns.
For the beef stir fry portion, you will need olive oil or vegetable oil, flank steak, red and green bell pepper, onion, garlic, grated ginger, and fried red chilis.
How to Make Szechuan Beef
First, in a medium bowl, whisk together the beef broth, low-sodium soy sauce, oyster sauce (or hoisin sauce), rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, cornstarch, and Szechuan peppercorns. Add the sliced flank steak to a large bowl, pour half of the marinade over the top, toss to coat, and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Set the remaining marinade aside to use as a sauce. Let the steak marinate at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Add the dried red chiles to a small bowl and pour lukewarm water over them. Turn them every so often, and drain after 30 minutes.
Then, heat a little oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Using ton,gs remove the meat from the marinade, shaking off any excess marinade. Add the beef to the skillet in a single layer and sear it. Flip it and sear the other side. Remove it to a plate and cover it to keep it warm. Work in batches to keep from crowding the skillet, and add more oil when needed. Discard the marinade that the meat was in.
If needed, carefully wipe out the skillet. But be careful as it will be very hot. Heat a little more oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bell peppers and onions and stir fry for 2-3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, ginger, and chiles. Cook for 1 minute while stirring very frequently. Remove the veggies to a plate. Add the marinade/sauce that you set aside to the skillet over low heat and cook until slightly thickened. Don’t worry. It will thicken as you add the veggies and beek to the skillet. Stir to warm and coat everything.
Beth’s Recipe Tips
- Slice the flank steak about 1/4 inch thick against the grain. Cut perpendicular to the muscle fibers.
- Don’t marinate the steak at room temperature for longer than 30-40 minutes. If a longer marinating period is desired, refrigerate the meat in the marinade.
- Substitute sambal Oelek or crushed red pepper flakes for the dried red chiles. Start with 1/2 tablespoon Sambal Oelek or 1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Add more if desired.
- To rehydrate the dried red chiles, place them in a small bowl and cover them with lukewarm water. Let them sit in the water for about 30 minutes, turning a couple of times. Use tongs to turn the chiles, as the water will inevitably have some of the pepper oil in it. Drain them well and then use them in the recipe as directed.
- Szechuan Peppercorns can be difficult to find. Substitute regular black peppercorns with coriander seeds, and lemon zest in this ratio.
- Don’t overcook the peppers and onions, as you want them crisp tender, which is hot and cooked but with a little snap left to it.
- Other vegetables to consider adding are carrots, water chestnuts, and green onions.
Storage and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
I do not recommend freezing this dish as the bell peppers will not remain crispy. You can, however, freeze the flank steak, making it easier to cut thinly. Or freeze the flank steak soaking in the marinade.
More Stir Fry Recipes
Szechuan Beef Recipe
Ingredients
Szechuan Sauce
- ⅔ cup low-sodium beef broth
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons oyster sauce or hoisin sauce
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 1/2 tablespoon Szechuan peppercorns
Beef Stir Fry
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 lb flank steak sliced thinly
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 10 or more dried red chilis see notes
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the beef broth, low-sodium soy sauce, oyster sauce (or hoisin sauce), rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, cornstarch, and Szechuan peppercorns.
- Add the sliced flank steak to a large bowl, pour half of the marinade over the top, toss to coat, and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Set the remaining marinade aside to use as a sauce. Let the steak marinate at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Add the dried red chiles to a small bowl and pour lukewarm water over them. Turn them every so often, and drain after 30 minutes.
- Heat one tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Using tongs remove the meat from the marinade, shaking off any excess marinade. Add the beef to the skillet in a single layer and sear it. Flip it and sear the other side. Remove it to a plate and cover to keep warm. Work in batches to keep from crowding the skillet, and add more oil when needed. Discard the marinade that the meat was in.
- If needed, carefully wipe out the skillet, as it will be very hot. Heat a little more oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bell peppers and onions and stir fry for 2-3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, ginger, and chiles. Cook for 1 minute while stirring very frequently. Remove the veggies to a plate.
- Add the marinade/sauce that you set aside to the skillet over low heat and cook until slightly thickened. Add the veggies and beef back to the skillet. Stir to warm and coat everything.
Notes
- Slice the flank steak about 1/4 inch thick against the grain. Cut perpendicular to the muscle fibers.
- Don’t marinate the steak at room temperature for longer than 30-40 minutes. If a longer marinating period is desired, refrigerate the meat in the marinade.
- Substitute sambal Oelek or crushed red pepper flakes for the dried red chiles. Start with 1/2 tablespoon Sambal Oelek or 1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Add more if desired.
- To rehydrate the dried red chiles, place them in a small bowl and cover them with lukewarm water. Let them sit in the water for about 30 minutes, turning a couple of times. Use tongs to turn the chiles, as the water will inevitably have some of the pepper oil in it. Drain them well and then use them in the recipe as directed.
- Szechuan Peppercorns can be difficult to find. Substitute regular black peppercorns with coriander seeds, and lemon zest in this ratio.
- Don’t overcook the peppers and onions, as you want them crisp tender, which is hot and cooked but with a little snap left to it.
- Other vegetables to consider adding are carrots, water chestnuts, and green onions.
Nutrition
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Jenny
I love this recipe, all my favorite ingredients wrapped up together in a dish! Thanks for sharing the recipe, Beth!
Sandra
Such an amazing recipe! It quickly became a favorite at my house!
Sue
Szechuan Beef stir fry is an absolute flavor explosion! 😋🌶️ The combination of marinated flank steak, vibrant veggies, and that spicy Szechuan sauce is a culinary masterpiece. I loved the perfect balance of savory and spicy. Definitely a must-try for anyone seeking an unforgettable stir-fry experience!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sue! I am glad that you liked it.
Sam
This is one of. my favorite meals. Easy to make and so flavorful. The sauce really pulls this whole dish together.
Yeah Lifestyle
This is one of my favourite recipes. The beef is so tender and I really love the flavours. I will make this again
Beth Pierce
Thank you! So glad that you enjoyed the szechuan beef!
Katrina
This Szechuan Beef is so flavor packed. it really hit the spot. We loved it and we will make it again.
Jackie
My husband absolutely loved this dish! Said it was the best he has ever had. Let me tell you that is a really good complement from him. Thanks so much for sharing, I can’t wait to make it again!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Jackie! So glad that he liked it!
Stephanie
Such a delish recipe! Better than any I’ve gotten through my local restaurant. The spices are just right!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Stephanie! So glad that you liked the Szechuan Beef!
Erik
Such a great recipe. My family devoured this meal. There were not any leftovers, unfortunately.
katie
My new favorite szechuan beef recipe. Thanks for sharing, Beth!
justine
Added a bit more heat last night and was a huge hit with the fam.
Kim
As a fan of spicy foods, this Szechuan Beef recipe is a must-try! It is so flavorful and fulfilling. Will definitely make this again
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Kim! We love the recipe too. It is one of my favorites.
Jess
What a delicious family dinner!
Sara
This was such an easy and delicious stir fry that did not disappoint! Turned out juicy, tender and delicious!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sara! So glad that you enjoyed it.
Nathan
I love how easy it is to make this stir fry style, it’s packed with flavor and I love that there are so many veggies in it! A new favorite weeknight dinner 🙂
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Nathan! So glad that you liked the Szechuan Beef!
Stephanie
Yum! The beef is so tender in this Szechuan dish. Add to that all the veggies and a lovely blend of seasonings makes this a dish I will serve often.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Stephanie! So glad that you enjoyed the szechuan beef.