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Savory Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe Perfect for Family Dinners

Chinese Pepper Steak - featured image

Tender strips of beef, vibrant bell peppers, and onions coated in a savory, glossy sauce make this Chinese Pepper Steak a restaurant-quality dish you can easily prepare at home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
  • 2 medium-sized bell peppers (one red and one green), sliced into thin strips
  • 1 large onion, sliced into thin wedges
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (use low-sodium if preferred)
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/3 cup beef broth
  • 2 tbsp vegetable or sesame oil
  • 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • Optional: Red pepper flakes for spice or sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

  1. Slice the flank steak into thin strips against the grain. Toss the strips with 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp cornstarch in a mixing bowl. Let it marinate for 10 minutes.
  2. Slice the bell peppers into thin strips and the onion into wedges. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger. Set aside.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, beef broth, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste and set aside.
  4. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok or skillet over high heat. Add the marinated beef strips in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 2-3 minutes per batch until browned. Remove beef and set aside.
  5. Add the remaining oil to the wok and toss in the bell peppers, onions, garlic, and ginger. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the veggies soften slightly but retain their crisp texture.
  6. Return the cooked beef to the wok and pour in the sauce. Toss everything together and let it simmer for 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the ingredients.
  7. Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with sesame seeds or red pepper flakes if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

[‘Work in batches when cooking the beef to ensure it browns properly instead of steaming.’, ‘Chop veggies and make the sauce in advance to save time during cooking.’, ‘High heat is key for achieving the perfect sear and maintaining the crisp texture of the veggies.’, ‘Taste the sauce before adding it to the wok and adjust the seasoning to fit your preference.’, ‘Fresh ginger and garlic make a huge difference in flavor compared to powdered versions.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: Chinese pepper steak, beef stir-fry, quick dinner, family meal, easy recipe