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Easy 30-Minute Chinese Pepper Steak Stir-Fry

A close-up of a plate of saucy pepper steak featuring strips of beef, bright red and green bell peppers, garnished with scallions.
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Make this savory, tender beef and pepper stir-fry right at home. It tastes better than takeout and comes together fast for a perfect weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (for marinade)
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch (for marinade)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (for tenderness)
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for searing)
  • 1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium yellow onion, cut into wedges
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for stir-frying)
  • 1/4 cup beef broth
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons cold water (slurry)

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, combine the sliced flank steak with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, and baking soda. Mix well and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. This helps tenderize the steak.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated steak in a single layer (work in batches if necessary) and sear quickly, about 1-2 minutes per side, until browned. Remove the steak and set it aside.
  3. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the same skillet. Add the bell peppers and onion. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until they are crisp-tender.
  4. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the vegetables. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, oyster sauce, and brown sugar. Pour this sauce mixture into the skillet with the vegetables. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
  6. Return the seared steak to the skillet. Stir everything together.
  7. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce while stirring constantly. Cook for about 1 minute until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and vegetables.
  8. Remove from heat and stir in the sesame oil. Serve your savory beef stir fry sauce immediately over rice or noodles.

Notes

  • To achieve truly tender steak dinner results, make sure you slice the beef thinly against the grain before marinating.
  • For a healthier pepper steak option, use low-sodium soy sauce in the sauce mixture.
  • This recipe is a fantastic one pan pepper steak alternative when you are short on time.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonsprout.com/easy-30-minute-pepper-steak-stir-fry/