Stir-Fried Spicy Beef Recipe
Introduction
Stir-Fried Spicy Beef is a flavorful and quick dish that combines tender beef with fragrant spices and vibrant vegetables. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it offers a delightful balance of savory and spicy notes that pair wonderfully with simple white rice.

Ingredients
- ½ pound beef tenderloin or beef chuck
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon shaoxing cooking wine
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon light olive oil
- ½ teaspoon chicken bouillon
- Pinch of white pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 6-8 green onions (cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 1 small white onion (sliced)
- 2 garlic cloves (sliced)
- 6-8 dried red peppers
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Slice the beef tenderloin into thin slices and place them in a bowl.
- Step 2: Prepare the marinade by adding salt, sugar, soy sauce, shaoxing cooking wine, baking soda, corn starch, water, light olive oil, chicken bouillon, and a pinch of white pepper to the beef. Add a little oil on top to seal in moisture.
- Step 3: Marinate the beef for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. After marinating, stir the beef well to evenly coat before cooking.
- Step 4: Prepare your vegetables by cutting green onions into 2-inch pieces, slicing the white onion, and slicing the garlic. Set aside.
- Step 5: Heat a pan or wok on high heat. Once hot, add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
- Step 6: Fry the marinated beef on high heat until it has a nice brown sear. Be cautious of splattering oil due to moisture; cover the pan with a lid if needed.
- Step 7: Remove the beef from the pan and set aside.
- Step 8: In the same pan, add the dried red peppers and garlic. Stir constantly to avoid burning the garlic, cooking until the peppers darken and the garlic turns golden (about 1 minute).
- Step 9: Add the sliced white onions to the pan and stir-fry until translucent, about 1–2 minutes.
- Step 10: Return the beef to the pan along with the dried red peppers, garlic, and white onions. Add green onions, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon sugar. Stir-fry everything together for one minute to combine flavors.
- Step 11: Serve hot, ideally with steamed white rice for a complete meal. Enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- For extra heat, add more dried red peppers or a dash of chili oil while stir-frying.
- Substitute beef tenderloin with sirloin or flank steak for a more economical option.
- Add bell peppers or snap peas for additional color and crunch.
- Marinate the beef longer for deeper flavor absorption, up to overnight in the fridge.
Storage
Store leftover stir-fried spicy beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Avoid overcooking during reheating to keep the beef tender.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other types of meat for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute beef with chicken, pork, or even firm tofu. Adjust cooking times accordingly to ensure the protein is fully cooked and tender.
What can I use if I don’t have shaoxing cooking wine?
If you don’t have shaoxing wine, dry sherry or a splash of mirin can be used as a substitute. Alternatively, a little extra soy sauce and a pinch of sugar can help balance flavors.
Print
Stir-Fried Spicy Beef Recipe
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
This Stir-Fried Spicy Beef recipe features tender slices of marinated beef cooked quickly with garlic, dried red peppers, and a mix of green and white onions. The dish is flavorful, savory, and offers a perfect balance of heat and umami, making it an ideal accompaniment to steamed white rice.
Ingredients
Beef Marinade
- ½ pound beef tenderloin or beef chuck, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Shaoxing cooking wine
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon light olive oil
- ½ teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
- Pinch of white pepper
For Stir-Frying
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 6–8 green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 small white onion, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, sliced
- 6–8 dried red peppers
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon sugar
Instructions
- Marinate Beef: Slice the beef tenderloin into thin slices and place them in a bowl. In the same bowl, add salt, sugar, soy sauce, Shaoxing cooking wine, baking soda, corn starch, water, light olive oil, chicken bouillon, and a pinch of white pepper. Mix well to ensure the beef is thoroughly coated. Add a small amount of oil on top of the beef to seal in moisture. Let the beef marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes up to 1 hour. Stir well before frying to distribute the marinade evenly.
- Prepare Aromatics and Peppers: While the beef marinates, prepare your vegetables and spices. Cut green onions into 2-inch pieces, slice the white onion and garlic cloves, and set them aside along with the dried red peppers.
- Heat Pan and Fry Beef: Heat a pan or wok over high heat until very hot. Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry on high heat until the beef develops a nice brown sear. Because the beef contains moisture, it will splatter when it hits the hot oil; consider covering the pan with a lid to control splatter. Once browned, set the beef aside on a plate.
- Sauté Garlic and Dried Red Peppers: Keeping the pan over high heat, leave the flavorful oil leftover from frying the beef. Add the dried red peppers and sliced garlic. Stir continuously to prevent the garlic from burning until the red peppers darken and the garlic turns slightly golden, about 1 minute.
- Add White Onions: Add the sliced white onions to the pan and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes until the onions become translucent, melding their sweetness with the spicy oil.
- Combine and Finish Cooking: Return the browned beef to the pan, adding the dried red peppers, garlic, and white onions back. Toss in the green onions, then season with 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 tablespoon sugar. Stir-fry everything together for about 1 minute to blend all flavors and heat through.
- Serve: Serve the spicy stir-fried beef hot, ideally with steamed white rice to balance the bold flavors. Enjoy the delicious, savory, and spicy notes!
Notes
- Marinate beef for at least 30 minutes to enhance tenderness and flavor.
- Be cautious when frying beef due to oil splatter; covering the pan can help prevent burns.
- Adjust the number of dried red peppers based on your heat preference.
- Use a wok or heavy skillet for best stir-frying results.
- Serve immediately after cooking to enjoy the freshness and flavor.
- This dish pairs well with steamed white rice or plain noodles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Keywords: Spicy Beef Stir-Fry, Chinese Stir Fry, Quick Beef Recipe, Spicy Asian Beef, Beef with Dried Peppers

