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Szechuan beef with peppers, onions and spices.
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Szechuan Beef

This Szechuan beef is a spicy stir fry made with tender pieces of beef and colorful vegetables, all tossed in a sweet and savory sauce. A classic Chinese style dish that is even better than what you'd get at a restaurant!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 295kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

For the stir fry

  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil or any neutral flavored oil
  • 1 pound flank steak thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup corn starch
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion cut into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 1 red bell pepper cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 green bell pepper cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 25 small dried red chilies or more if desired
  • 1 tablespoon sichuan peppercorns optional
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
  • salt and pepper to taste

For the sauce

  • 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • 1/3 cup beef broth

Instructions

  • Place the steak in a bowl with the corn starch and salt and pepper to taste. Toss to combine. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over high heat.
  • Place the steak in a single layer in the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. You may have to do this step in batches.
  • Remove the steak from the pan. Place on a plate and cover to keep warm.
  • Add the onion and red and green bell peppers to the pan. Stir in the chilies and sichuan peppercorns. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until vegetables are softened.
  • Add the garlic and ginger to the pan; cook for an additional 30 seconds. Return the beef to the pan with the vegetables.
  • While the steak and vegetables are cooking, make the sauce. Whisk together all of the sauce ingredients in a small bowl until smooth.
  • Add the sauce to the beef mixture and bring to a boil; cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until sauce is just thickened. Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

  1. Sichuan peppercorns are what gives this dish its authentic flavor. I am able to find the peppercorns in larger grocery stores and in Asian markets. If you can’t find this spice, it’s fine to omit it. You can break open a few of the chili peppers and sprinkle the seeds into the dish to create more heat if you don’t have the peppercorns.
  2. Dried red chilies contribute a lot of the heat and a mild nutty flavor. While several types of dried red chilies can be used in Szechuan dishes, I use an Asian red chili or chiles de arbol. 

Nutrition

Calories: 295kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 173mg | Sodium: 788mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g