Can I use pre-sliced beef stir-fry meat from the grocery store?

Absolutely! Pre-sliced beef is a great time-saver. Just make sure the pieces are relatively uniform in size for even cooking. If they're thick, you might want to cook them a bit longer than the recipe suggests.

Why is my sauce not thickening properly?

The cornstarch needs to reach a certain temperature to activate its thickening properties. Make sure your stir-fry is bubbling when you add the sauce, and give it that full minute of cooking time. If it's still too thin, mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water and add it to the pan.

Can I prepare components of this dish ahead of time?

Yes! Slice the meat and vegetables up to 24 hours ahead and store them separately in the refrigerator. You can also mix the sauce ingredients ahead and refrigerate. When you're ready to cook, just heat your wok and follow the cooking steps.

My pepper steak turned out tough. What went wrong?

Two likely culprits: either the meat was sliced with the grain instead of against it, or it was overcooked. Remember that the beef will continue cooking slightly when returned to the hot wok with the sauce, so it's better to undercook it slightly in the initial searing step.

Easy Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe

Name: Easy Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: chinese
Ingredients: 1/4 cup soy sauce; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1/2 cup beef broth; 1 tablespoon granulated sugar; 1 to 3 teaspoons black pepper (adjust to taste); 2 teaspoons grated ginger; 4 cloves minced garlic; 1 pound sirloin steak, cut into 1/4-inch thick strips; 2 large green bell peppers, cut into 1-inch squares; 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares; 1 large white onion, sliced; 4 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided; 1/4 cup sliced green onions (optional, for garnish)

Description

This Easy Chinese Pepper Steak recipe combines tender beef strips, colorful bell peppers, and a savory ginger-garlic sauce for a quick and flavorful stir-fry! Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this recipe is packed with bold flavors and a harmonious balance of savory and tangy. It’s a surefire favorite for those who love Asian-inspired cuisine!

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Steak Marinade & Sauce

1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup beef broth
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 to 3 teaspoons black pepper (adjust to taste)
2 teaspoons grated ginger
4 cloves minced garlic

For the Stir-fry

1 pound sirloin steak, cut into 1/4-inch thick strips
2 large green bell peppers, cut into 1-inch squares
1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares
1 large white onion, sliced
4 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1/4 cup sliced green onions (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

Prepare the Marinade & Sauce
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and cornstarch until smooth. Add the beef broth, granulated sugar, black pepper, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Whisk everything to combine thoroughly and set aside.
Slice & Prep the Steak
Slice the sirloin steak into 1/4-inch thick strips. Ensure they’re evenly sized to allow for uniform cooking. Set aside.
Sear the Beef
Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Once hot, add the beef strips and toss them until they are seared and browned, about 2-3 minutes. Remove the cooked beef from the wok and set aside.
Cook the Vegetables
In the same wok, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Add the green and red bell peppers, along with the sliced white onion. Stir-fry the vegetables until they achieve a tender-crisp texture, about 3 minutes.
Combine & Finish
Return the seared beef to the wok with the cooked vegetables. Pour the prepared ginger-garlic sauce over the mixture. Stir everything together and cook for about 1 minute, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the meat and vegetables evenly.
Garnish & Serve
Transfer the pepper steak to a serving dish. Garnish with sliced green onions for a pop of freshness and serve immediately while hot. Pair it with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Notes

For added flavor, consider marinating the beef in the sauce for about 30 minutes before cooking.
If desired, you can substitute sirloin steak with flank steak or ribeye for a different texture and taste.
Make it spicier by adding crushed red pepper flakes or sliced chili peppers to the stir-fry.
Bell peppers add color and crunch, but you can also include other vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or snap peas for variety.
Use a high-smoke-point oil, such as avocado oil or peanut oil, for optimal stir-fry results.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 265kcal
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 610
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 13g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 19
Cholesterol: 50mg