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This easy Hunan Beef recipe lets you skip the takeout menu and still get big, bold flavor on the table fast. It's packed with tender beef, colorful veggies, and a tangy, slightly spicy sauce, without the extra grease!
Inspired by authentic Hunan beef which is made with dried chili peppers, dried beef, and fermented black beans, this easy stir fry recipe delivers the same rich, tangy, slightly spicy flavor you love, without overwhelming your taste buds or the need for a trip to a specialty market, just like my recipes for Hunan Shrimp and Hunan Chicken.
Kristen's Keys for Hunan Beef
For the best flavor and the quickest prep, pay attention to the following tips.
- Choose a quick-cooking cut of beef. Flank Steak, skirt steak, flat iron steak, and tri-tip steak are all suitable options and deliver tender beef with a short cook time.
- Freeze the beef before slicing. Place the beef into the freezer for 10 minutes. This will help make it easier to cut into thin slices, which is essential for a quick-cooking beef stir fry.
- Maximize your time. Use the time the beef is in the freezer to chop the veggies and prepare the Hunan sauce, which will ensure the stir-fry comes together quickly once you begin the cooking process.
5-Star Reader Review
My whole family loves this and I love that it is so easy to make with everyday ingredients. My husband said this is a keeper! -Kelsey
How to Make Hunan Beef
The following section is provided to walk you through the process of making Hunan Beef at home, with a few tips along the way.
Step One: Prepare Hunan Sauce
Whisk together beef broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, honey, chili paste, and cornstarch in a small bowl until the cornstarch is fully dissolved. Set aside to add to the stir fry at the end of the cook time.
Step Twp: Stir-Fry Beef
Heat the oil in a large pan over high heat. Once heated, add the thinly sliced beef strips to the pan in a single layer and cook until browned, then place the seared beef on a plate.
👉🏻Work in batches if needed. In order for the beef to become caramelized and cook evenly, it is really important not to overcrowd the pan.
Step Three: Stir-Fry Veggies
Add the broccoli, peppers, and onion to the pan. Cook, stirring often until just crisp-tender. Add in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds more, using caution to not burn the garlic.
Step Four: Combine and Thicken
Add the beef back to the pan, along with the prepared Hunan Sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, and cook for just a couple of minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.
Step Five: Serve
I love to serve Hunan Beef over rice (like Instant Pot Brown Rice or Instant Pot White Rice), but noodles are another great option. Top with sliced green onions and a drizzle of hot sauce if desired.
Recipe Modifications
Not only does this recipe for Hunan Beef use ingredients you can easily find at any grocery store, but by preparing this dish at home, you save money AND can control the level of spice and what vegetables are added. Below are some tips to help you make modifications.
- Vegetable Options: I like to use a combination of broccoli, bell peppers, and onions for texture and flavor. Feel free to use any quick-cooking sturdy vegetables you like such as, bok choy, shelled edamame, carrots, canned baby corn, or zucchini.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free beef broth, gluten-free soy sauce, and gluten-free oyster sauce. Pay special attention to the soy sauce and oyster sauce, as they often contain wheat products.
- Customize the Spice Level: As written this Hunan Beef recipe has a mild kick. You can opt to decrease the chili paste or increase the chili paste, depending on your preferences. I like to serve the dish with crushed red pepper flakes and hot sauce on the side, so that those that like spicier dishes, can amp up the spice themselves.
- No Oyster Sauce? You can use Hoisin sauce, but I would omit the honey, as Hoisin is on the sweeter side.
- Corn Free: Feel free to use arrowroot powder or tapioca starch in place of cornstarch.
More Asian-American Inspired Recipes
Hunan Beef
Video
Ingredients
For the Stir Fry
- 1 pound beef flank steak
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon canola oil, or avocado oil
- 1 cup broccoli florets, chopped
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
Hunan Sauce
- ½ cup low-sodium beef broth
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey, or brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons chili paste , such as sambal oelek
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
For Serving
- Steamed Rice
- Green Onions
Instructions
- Place1 pound beef flank steakthe beef into the freezer for 10 minutes to make for easy slicing. After 10 minutes, remove the beef from the freezer and slice it into ¼-inch thick slices, going against the grain. Season the meat evenly with salt and pepper.
- Prepare the Hunan Sauce by whisking together ½ cup low-sodium beef broth, 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 2 teaspoons rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey, 2 teaspoons chili paste , and 2 teaspoons cornstarch in a small bowl until the cornstarch is fully dissolved. Set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a large pan over high heat. Once the oil sizzles when a drop of water is added add the steak to the pan in a single layer-don't crowd the pan. Cook in batches if needed. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until browned. Remove the seared beef from the pan and place it on a plate.
- If the skillet is dry, add 1 teaspoon of additional canola oil. Add the broccoli florets, diced peppers, and onions to the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until the vegetables are just slightly tender. Add 2 teaspoons minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
- Add the beef back to the pan with the vegetables. Whisk the reserved sauce again to be sure fully incorporated, and then pour the sauce over the beef and vegetables. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, and cook for 1-2 minutes or until sauce has thickened.
- Serve over rice with chopped green onions.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This post was originally published in 2022 and updated in 2025.
Hunan Beef. Wow it was so good. I loved it and my husband did too. So simple to make. For someone who burns water, this was fun to make and tasted much better. I substituted broccoli with fresh sliced mushrooms and omitted the onions. Next time we will add shrimp with the broccoli and the kids will come for supper. They ten to bow out when “moms” cooking.. not anymore!
I dont like spicy but tried the chili paste and 1/4 the amount. I hardly tasted it so next time let’s bump it to 50% of your recipe.
Thanks for a great recipe. Thanks for teaching me how to cook.
You are my go to for all my food ideas.
Hi Kelly! I love hearing I am helping you learn to cook 🙂 To me, that is the very best compliment and I so appreciate you taking the time to share.