Description
Savor the bold flavors of authentic Chinese Pepper Steak, a tender and spicy stir-fry featuring thinly sliced beef, crisp bell peppers, and onions coated in a savory, slightly spicy sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests, it delivers restaurant-quality taste using simple, fresh ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Marinade
- 300g thinly sliced beef sirloin or flank steak
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Vegetables
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1/4 cup water or beef stock
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Oil and Finishing
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or peanut oil for stir-frying
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Thinly slice the beef against the grain. In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, cornstarch, and a pinch of black pepper, then marinate the beef in this mixture to tenderize and lock in juices.
- Chop the Vegetables: Slice the green, red, and yellow bell peppers along with the onion into thin, even strips to provide a colorful and crunchy texture.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, water or beef stock, sugar, and freshly ground black pepper until well combined to create a balanced savory and slightly spicy sauce.
- Stir-Fry the Beef: Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Quickly stir-fry the marinated beef until it is just browned and nearly cooked through, then remove from the pan to prevent overcooking and maintain tenderness.
- Cook the Vegetables: Add a bit more oil to the pan if needed, then add the garlic and ginger, stir-frying briefly to create an aromatic base. Toss in the bell peppers and onions, stir-frying until they are crisp-tender to preserve crunchiness.
- Combine and Finish: Return the beef to the pan, pour in the prepared sauce, and cook everything together for 2-3 minutes allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken. Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil and stir well before serving hot.
Notes
- Slice beef thinly to ensure quick cooking and tender bites.
- Use high heat when stir-frying to achieve a good sear and avoid sogginess.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook beef in batches if necessary.
- Marinate with cornstarch to lock in moisture and enhance juiciness.
- Use fresh bell peppers and onions for best crunch and vibrant color.
- Adjust black pepper quantity to suit your preferred spice level.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: Chinese Pepper Steak, stir-fry beef, pepper steak recipe, quick Asian dinner, spicy beef stir-fry, authentic Chinese recipe