The Juicy Pepper Steak Recipe Everyone Will Love

Succulent strips of beef dance with vibrant bell peppers in this mouthwatering pepper steak recipe that brings restaurant-quality flavor straight to your kitchen.

Tender meat sizzles alongside crisp vegetables, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.

The dish bursts with aromatic seasonings that awaken every sense.

Juicy beef cuts mingle with bright bell peppers, promising a delightful meal in minutes.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of savory and slightly spicy notes.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike adore this simple yet impressive recipe.

You’ll want to make this pepper steak again and again for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that satisfies serious hunger.

Why This Pepper Steak Recipe Is a Standout Dinner Option

• Whip up a restaurant-quality pepper steak that's packed with bold flavors and ready in minutes, making it perfect for busy families craving something delicious.
• Learn how to perfectly stir-fry beef and vegetables, developing essential culinary skills that can be applied to multiple dishes with ease.
• Easily adjust spice levels, swap vegetables, or modify marinades to suit personal preferences, creating a personalized dining experience every single time.
• Enjoy a balanced meal loaded with protein from tender beef and vitamins from colorful bell peppers, all cooked efficiently in a single skillet for minimal cleanup.

What Goes Into the Best Ever Pepper Steak

• Flank Steak: A tender and flavorful cut of beef that becomes deliciously juicy when marinated and quickly cooked.
• Bell Peppers: Colorful vegetables that add a sweet and crisp texture to the pepper steak.
• Onions: Provide a sharp and aromatic base that enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

• Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce: Savory condiments that infuse the beef with rich, umami depth and help tenderize the meat.
• Cornstarch: Helps create a smooth, glossy coating and thickens the sauce during cooking.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness that balances the salty and savory flavors.

• Garlic, Ginger: Fragrant ingredients that provide a warm, spicy undertone to the pepper steak.
• Vegetable Oil: Used for stir-frying and ensuring the meat and vegetables cook evenly.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance and brighten the overall taste of the dish.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish that adds a mild, crisp onion flavor and visual appeal.

Pepper Steak Prep Tools and Gear

• Wok or Large Skillet: Essential for high-heat stir-frying and ensuring perfect beef sear.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for slicing beef and chopping vegetables with precision.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for creating thin, even steak and vegetable slices.
• Mixing Bowl: Needed for combining marinade ingredients and coating beef.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring and tossing ingredients during cooking.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure sauce and seasoning ingredients.

How to Cook Pepper Steak with Ease

Step 1: Prepare Tangy Marinade

Whip up a flavor-packed marinade using soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and brown sugar.

Whisk these ingredients until smooth and well-blended.

Toss in sliced flank steak, making sure every piece gets cozy with the marinade.

Let the meat soak up those delicious flavors for at least 15 minutes.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Fire up a wok or large skillet with vegetable oil until it’s screaming hot.

Carefully add the marinated beef and stir-fry until it develops a beautiful golden-brown crust.

Once perfectly seared, transfer the beef to a waiting plate.

Step 3: Dance with Vegetables

In the same pan, add a splash more oil if needed.

• Onions
• Bell peppers
• Garlic
• Ginger

Sauté these vibrant veggies until they’re tender-crisp and bursting with color.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Reunite the seared beef with the sautéed vegetables.

Give everything a vigorous toss to mingle the flavors.

Season with a pinch of salt and a sprinkle of black pepper to elevate the taste.

Step 5: Final Flourish

Shower the dish with freshly sliced green onions for a pop of color and extra zing.

Serve hot and watch everyone’s eyes light up with excitement!

Pro Tips for Tender, Flavorful Pepper Steak

• Let the steak sit in the marinade for up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor penetration and more tender meat.
• Select flank steak or sirloin for the best texture and quick cooking time in this stir-fry recipe.
• Use high heat for a perfect sear on the beef, but watch carefully to prevent burning and maintain meat's juiciness.
• Cut beef perpendicular to muscle fibers to ensure each bite remains tender and easy to chew.
• Keep bell peppers and onions slightly crisp by avoiding overcooking, which helps maintain their fresh texture and vibrant colors.

Tasty Pepper Steak Variations and Add-Ins

• Replace flank steak with firm tofu or seitan, pressed and sliced. Marinate plant-based protein in same sauce for similar flavor profile.
• Low-Sodium Alternative: Swap regular soy sauce with low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos. Reduce salt content while maintaining rich umami taste.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use tamari instead of soy sauce. Replace cornstarch with arrowroot powder. Select gluten-free oyster sauce or substitute with mushroom-based sauce.
• Spicy Kick Variation: Add crushed red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce during cooking. Incorporate diced jalapeños with bell peppers for extra heat and complexity.

How to Serve Pepper Steak for Any Meal

• Pepper Plate Perfection: Pair this sizzling pepper steak with steamed jasmine rice for an authentic Asian-inspired meal that soaks up every delicious sauce drop.
• Family-Style Feast: Serve family-style on a large platter, allowing everyone to scoop their own portion and enjoy the vibrant colors and textures of the dish.
• Protein Power Bowl: Transform the steak into a hearty grain bowl by layering over quinoa or brown rice, adding extra vegetables like roasted broccoli or edamame for nutritional boost.
• Weekend Dinner Delight: Create a complete dinner spread by adding light cucumber salad or quick pickled vegetables as refreshing side accompaniments that complement the rich steak flavors.

Pepper Steak: Storage Advice

• Store leftover pepper steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Place steak and vegetables in a microwave-safe dish. Add a splash of water or beef broth to maintain moisture. Cover and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
• Warm the pepper steak in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a little oil or broth to prevent drying. Stir gently until heated evenly, about 3-4 minutes.

FAQs

• What type of steak works best for this recipe?

Flank steak is ideal due to its lean texture and ability to absorb marinades quickly. If unavailable, sirloin or skirt steak can be good alternatives.

• How can I make the beef more tender?

Marinating for at least 15 minutes helps break down muscle fibers, and stir-frying quickly over high heat prevents the meat from becoming tough. Slice the beef against the grain for maximum tenderness.

• Can I make this recipe spicy?

Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce during the cooking process. For more heat, include sliced jalapeños or use a spicy chili oil when stir-frying.

Pepper Steak Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Rich, savory pepper steak hails from Chinese-American cuisine, offering a quick and flavorful meal. Tender beef strips and bell peppers sizzle in a glossy sauce that you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 1.5 lbs (680 grams) flank steak, thinly sliced

Sauces and Seasonings:

• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the marinade by whisking together soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and brown sugar in a mixing bowl. Thoroughly coat the sliced flank steak in the mixture, allowing it to absorb flavors for 15-20 minutes at room temperature.
2. Fire up a wok or large skillet over high heat, adding vegetable oil until shimmering. Swiftly stir-fry the marinated beef until it develops a rich, caramelized exterior and reaches medium-rare doneness, approximately 2-3 minutes. Transfer the browned meat to a separate plate.
3. In the same pan, introduce additional oil if needed. Introduce chopped onions, vibrant bell peppers, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger. Sauté the vegetables, maintaining their crisp texture and releasing their aromatic essence, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Reintroduce the previously cooked beef into the vegetable medley. Toss the ingredients together, allowing the flavors to meld and harmonize. Season with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the overall taste profile.
5. As a final flourish, sprinkle freshly sliced green onions over the pepper steak, adding a burst of color and a subtle, pungent brightness to the dish before serving immediately.

Notes

• Enhance Marinade Depth by adding a splash of rice wine or mirin for extra complexity and tenderizing power.
• Control Meat Texture through precise cooking time; aim for quick, high-heat stir-frying to prevent toughening and maintain juicy, tender beef.
• Vegetable Crunch Matters by cutting peppers and onions into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Alternative Diet Options include using coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for gluten-free preparation or swapping beef with tofu for a vegetarian version.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg