How do you make pepper steak stir fry at home?

To make pepper steak stir fry, start by slicing flank steak against the grain into thin strips. Toss with soy sauce and cornstarch, then set aside. Heat oil in a wok over high heat. Stir-fry sliced bell peppers and onions until slightly tender but still crisp. Remove and set aside. Add more oil, then quickly stir-fry the steak until browned. Return vegetables to the pan, add a sauce of soy sauce, beef broth, garlic, ginger, and a touch of sugar. Thicken with cornstarch slurry if needed. Serve immediately over steamed rice.

What cut of meat works best for pepper steak?

The best cuts for pepper steak are flank steak, sirloin, or round steak. Flank steak is the traditional choice because it's flavorful, affordable, and becomes tender when sliced thinly against the grain. Sirloin offers a good balance of flavor and tenderness, though typically more expensive. Round steak is budget-friendly but requires proper slicing and cooking technique to avoid toughness. Regardless of cut, always slice the meat as thinly as possible against the grain for the most tender result.

What ingredients are in a traditional pepper steak sauce?

A traditional pepper steak sauce combines soy sauce, beef broth, garlic, ginger, and a sweetener like sugar or honey. For thickening, cornstarch mixed with water creates a glossy sauce that coats the meat and vegetables. Some variations include oyster sauce for depth, rice vinegar for acidity, or a dash of sesame oil for nuttiness. The sauce should balance salty, sweet, and umami flavors. Start with 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 cup beef broth, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, and 1 tablespoon sugar.

How do you slice steak for pepper steak to keep it tender?

To keep steak tender in pepper steak, always slice against the grain. Look for the muscle fibers running through the meat and cut perpendicular to them. This shortens the muscle fibers, making the meat easier to chew. For best results, partially freeze the steak for 30-60 minutes before slicing, which firms it up and allows for thinner, more uniform cuts. Aim for slices about 1/4 inch thick. A sharp knife is essential—consider using a slicing knife or santoku for cleaner cuts that won't tear the meat.

Can you cook pepper steak in the oven?

Yes, you can cook pepper steak in the oven, though you won't get the same seared crust as with stovetop cooking. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place sliced bell peppers and onions in an oven-safe dish, season, and roast for 10 minutes. Add the sliced steak and sauce mixture, stirring to combine. Return to the oven for 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the steak is cooked to your desired doneness. For best results, finish under the broiler for 1-2 minutes to add some color and caramelization to the meat and vegetables.

Easy Pepper Steak Stir Fry for Busy Nights

Name: Pepper Steak
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil divided use; 1 red bell pepper cored, seeded, and cut into strips; 1 green bell pepper cored, seeded, and cut into strips; 1 1/4 pounds flank steak thinly sliced; 2 teaspoons minced garlic; 1 teaspoon minced ginger; Salt and pepper to taste; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar; 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1/4 cup water for the sauce

Description

🌶️ Pepper Steak Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful dish that combines tender flank steak with vibrant bell peppers in a savory sauce.
🍚 This simple homemade recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or noodles.

Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon vegetable oil divided use

1 red bell pepper cored, seeded, and cut into strips

1 green bell pepper cored, seeded, and cut into strips

1 1/4 pounds flank steak thinly sliced

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 teaspoon minced ginger

Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 1/2 tablespoons sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 cup water for the sauce

Instructions

1-First Step: Prepare Your Ingredients: Begin by slicing the 1 1/4 pounds of flank steak thinly against the grain for tenderness it only takes a few minutes and makes a big difference. Next, core and seed the 1 red bell pepper and 1 green bell pepper, then cut them into strips. Have your 2 teaspoons of minced garlic and 1 teaspoon of minced ginger ready, along with the sauce mixture of 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch, and 1/4 cup water whisked together in a bowl. This prep should take about 10 minutes, setting the stage for quick cooking.

2-Second Step: Cook the Vegetables: Heat 1 teaspoon of the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the pepper strips and cook them for 3-4 minutes until they’re just tender but still crisp. Once done, remove them from the pan and set aside this keeps their vibrant color and texture. If you’re adding extra veggies like onions or broccoli, throw them in at the same time for a varied mix.

3-Third Step: Sear the Steak: Increase the heat to high and add the remaining vegetable oil to the pan. Season the sliced flank steak with salt and pepper, then cook it for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s lightly browned. The high heat here helps create that nice sear without overcooking the meat, locking in juices for a tender result. For a helpful tip, check out our slow cooker pepper steak recipe if you want a different method someday.

4-Fourth Step: Add Aromatics and Combine: Stir in the minced garlic and ginger, cooking for just 30 seconds to release their aroma without burning. Return the cooked peppers to the pan and mix everything together. Now, pour in your prepared sauce and bring it to a simmer this should take about 2-3 minutes for the sauce to thicken and coat the ingredients evenly. For an external resource on bell peppers, read about their benefits in this benefits of bell peppers article.

5-Fifth Step: Serve and Enjoy: Once the sauce has thickened, remove the pan from the heat and serve immediately, ideally over steamed rice. This final step ensures the dish stays hot and fresh, with flavors at their peak. Remember, the whole process is designed for about 20 minutes of cooking, making it a reliable choice for weeknights. If you’re curious about steak variations, our garlic butter steak noodles recipe offers another fun twist.

Notes

🥩 Partially freeze the flank steak for easier thin slicing.
🌈 Use red, yellow, or orange peppers for sweeter variations.
🥢 Customize by adding vegetables like broccoli, onions, or snow peas.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stir-Frying
Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 277
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 687mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Carbohydrates: 11g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: Pepper Steak, Stir Fry, Simple Recipe, Homemade Meal