If you’ve ever visited a Sichuan restaurant, chances are you’ve seen a large bowl of bright red broth filled with tender beef, crisp vegetables, dried chilies, and fragrant Sichuan peppercorns. That iconic dish is Shui Zhu Beef, also known as Spicy Boiled Beef.
Although the name sounds simple, the flavor is anything but. Traditional Spicy Boiled Beef is famous for its bold mala (spicy and numbing) taste, rich chili oil, and incredibly tender slices of beef.
The authentic recipe often requires dozens of spices and a long list of ingredients. But here’s the good news—you can recreate that same restaurant-style flavor at home using hot pot base.
It’s one of the easiest ways to enjoy authentic Chinese dishes without needing an entire pantry of specialty ingredients.
🧾 Ingredients List
- 400g (14 oz) thinly sliced beef ribeye or chuck
- Napa cabbage
- Bean sprouts
- Enoki mushrooms
- Potato slices (optional)
- Garlic, minced
- Ginger, sliced
- Green onions
- Dried chili peppers
- Sichuan peppercorns
- Chili flakes
- Fresh cilantro
🥩 Beef Marinade
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cooking wine
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 egg white (optional)
🍲 Soup Base
- 150–200g spicy Sichuan hot pot base
- 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil
🧑🍳 How to Make Spicy Boiled Beef ？
Step 1 – Marinate the Beef
Combine the beef with soy sauce, cooking wine, cornstarch, sesame oil, and egg white.
Mix well and let it marinate for 20 minutes.
This simple marinade keeps the beef tender and silky.
Step 2 – Cook the Vegetables
Bring a pot of water to a boil.
Briefly blanch the napa cabbage, bean sprouts, and mushrooms until just tender.
Transfer the vegetables to a large serving bowl.
Step 3 – Build the Broth
Heat cooking oil in a wok or deep pan.
Add the hot pot base and stir for about two minutes until completely melted and fragrant.
Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a gentle boil.
Step 4 – Cook the Beef
Reduce the broth to a gentle simmer.
Slide the marinated beef slices into the broth one at a time.
Cook for about 30–60 seconds until the beef just changes color.
Immediately pour the broth and beef over the vegetables.
Step 5 – Create the Signature Aroma
Scatter minced garlic, dried chilies, Sichuan peppercorns, and chili flakes over the top.
Heat a few tablespoons of oil until shimmering.
Carefully pour the hot oil over the aromatics.
Garnish with cilantro and chopped green onions before serving.
💡 Expert Tips：Prepare Everything Before You Start
Once the broth is ready, the cooking process moves quickly.
Having all ingredients prepared beforehand makes the recipe much easier.
🍴 What to Serve with Spicy Boiled Beef ？
This dish pairs perfectly with:
- Steamed jasmine rice
- Garlic fried rice
- Cold cucumber salad
- Stir-fried bok choy
- Chinese smashed cucumber salad
- Chilled soy milk for balancing the heat
Spicy Boiled Beef is one of Sichuan cuisine’s most iconic dishes, loved for its bold flavors, tender beef, and unforgettable aroma.
Using a high-quality hot pot base makes this classic recipe much more approachable while still delivering the authentic mala flavor that makes it so popular.
Whether you’re cooking for family or introducing friends to Chinese cuisine, this recipe is an easy way to bring restaurant-quality Sichuan cooking into your own kitchen.
If you enjoyed this recipe and want to explore more creative ways to cook with hot pot base, shop our authentic Sichuan hot pot bases and bring bold Chinese flavors to your kitchen.
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