When searching for “Szechuan beef” recipes, there are two variations that turn up: a deliciously saucy stir-fry dish popular in many Chinese-American restaurants, and another spicier version that hails from the eponymous region in China. The latter version incorporates the use of fresh chilis, Szechuan peppercorns, and dry heat to create a crispier result. Our version below, reworked and updated following reader feedback, is a blend of the two that marries the more intense heat of fiery chilis and numbing Szechuan peppercorns with mildly sweet and salty sauciness.
Szechuan cuisine often employs an incredibly strong heat underneath a wide wok and a vigorous tossing motion to cook food quickly and efficiently, a traditional technique used in dishes like
fish fragrant eggplant. Our recipe adapts this technique so that it’s easily achievable for the home cook by first searing the meat in batches in a well-oiled skillet, then toasting our spices first in oil to release their aromas before adding in vegetables. For the most tender beef, we recommend freezing your steak for 30 minutes to 1 hour before slicing: a slightly frozen steak will be much easier to slice super thinly. The thinner your slice, the more tender the meat. As always, slice against the grain to avoid undesirable leatheriness in your steak!
To really bring the heat, we are using four spicy agents: numbing Szechuan peppercorns, both ground and whole; a pour of red chili oil; a big tablespooon of fresh chili paste, like sambal oelek; and 6 to 12 dried red chilis, which you can adjust according to your liking. If you’re a chilihead, feel free to crack open those dried chilis or use some fresh Thai chilis to really release a wash of fire into the dish. To tame the heat, we’re adding in a tiny touch of sugar, some sweet red bell peppers and carrots, and a tablespoon of hoisin sauce. Hoisin leans on the sweeter side as far as savory condiments go—if you’d like it less sweet, swap it out for an equal amount of oyster sauce, which is deeper in umami flavor and a bit more salty.
Ingredients
For the marinade
- 1 lb.sirloin steak, sliced very thinly against the grain
- 2 tbsp.Chinese black vinegar
- 1/4 c.low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp.toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp.granulated sugar
- 2cloves garlic, grated
- 2 tsp.freshly grated ginger
- 1/4 tsp.freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp.ground Szechuan peppercorn
For the stir-fry
- 3 tbsp.corn starch
- 3 tbsp.peanut oil, divided
- 1 tbsp.fermented chili bean paste (doubanjiang)
- 6to 12 dried red chilis
- 1 tbsp.whole Szechuan peppercorns
- 2cloves garlic, minced
- 3green onions, thinly sliced, plus more for serving
- 2 tbsp.red chili oil
- 2red bell peppers, thinly sliced
- 2small carrots, thinly sliced
- 1/2 c.low-sodium broth or water
- 1 tbsp.hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp.sambal oelek
- 1 tsp.toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp.Chinese black vinegar
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Directions
-
- Step 1
In a medium bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients except for steak until fully combined. Reserve half the marinade and set aside. Add steak to medium bowl and toss in the remaining marinade until evenly coated. Let marinate for 30 minutes, then drain and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Step 2In a large bowl, toss together cornstarch and marinated beef, shaking off any excess cornstarch before frying. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons oil. Add steak in a single layer, working in 3 separate batches if needed, and cook until seared, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove steak and set aside.
- Step 3Return skillet to medium heat. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil, then add bean paste, dried chilis, peppercorns, garlic, green onion, and a pinch salt. Stir and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add in chili oil and vegetables and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add in broth and let cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 3 to 4 minutes more.
- Step 4Add hoisin, sambal oelek, and reserved marinade. Stir to evenly distribute, and bring to a simmer. Add back cooked steak and toss until evenly coated. Let cook, stirring, until sauce thickens and clings to the steak. Remove from heat and stir in sesame oil and vinegar.
- Step 5Garnish with sesame seeds and more green onions before serving.
- Step 1
