Description
This Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions is a quick and flavorful stir-fry dish featuring tender slices of flank steak coated in a savory sauce with colorful bell peppers and onions. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, this recipe balances sweet, salty, and umami flavors with a hint of garlic and ginger, served best over steamed rice or noodles.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Marinade
- 1 pound flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
Cooking Liquids and Oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup low-sodium beef broth or water
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (optional)
Seasonings and Garnish
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Sliced green onions (optional)
- Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the beef: In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced flank steak with soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, and cornstarch. Toss until the beef is fully coated. Let the mixture marinate for 15 to 20 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Cook the beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated beef in a single layer and sear for 2 to 3 minutes until the edges are browned but the meat is not fully cooked. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil to the pan. Add sliced green and red bell peppers along with the sliced onion. Stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender yet still crisp.
- Add aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and ginger with the vegetables, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant, careful not to let the garlic burn.
- Combine and finish cooking: Return the seared beef to the skillet. Pour in the low-sodium beef broth or water and add rice vinegar if using. Stir to combine all ingredients. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the beef to cook through completely.
- Season and garnish: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving, if desired.
Notes
- For extra heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or sliced fresh chili while cooking the vegetables.
- Serve this dish over steamed rice or your favorite noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.
- You can substitute the beef with chicken or tofu for different protein options while maintaining the same flavorful sauce.
- Ensure the beef is sliced thinly against the grain to keep the meat tender when cooked.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce and beef broth to control the saltiness of the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
