Pepper Steak with Onions & Bell Peppers

🥩 Pepper Steak with Onions & Bell Peppers

Flavor profile

Savory • slightly sweet • garlicky • restaurant-style glossy sauce

⏱ Time

• Prep: 15 minutes

• Cook: 10–12 minutes

• Total: ~25 minutes

🛒 Ingredients (serves 3–4)

Beef

• 1 lb (450 g) beef sirloin or flank steak

• 1 tbsp cornstarch

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp oil

Vegetables

• 1 large onion, sliced

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced

• 1 green bell pepper, sliced

• Optional: green onions or chili slices

Sauce

• ¼ cup beef broth (or water)

• 3 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp oyster sauce

• 1 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional but great)

• 1 tsp sugar or honey

• 1 tsp cornstarch

• ½ tsp black pepper (add more if you like it bold)

Aromatics

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced (optional)

Cooking

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

🔪 Prep Tips (important!)

• Slice beef against the grain into thin strips — this keeps it tender.

• If the beef feels tough, freeze it for 15 minutes before slicing.

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Marinate the beef

In a bowl, combine:

• Beef

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp cornstarch

• 1 tsp oil

Mix well and rest 10 minutes.
👉 This creates that silky restaurant texture.

2. Mix the sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together:

• Beef broth

• Soy sauce

• Oyster sauce

• Hoisin sauce

• Sugar

• Black pepper

• 1 tsp cornstarch

Set aside.

3. Sear the beef

Heat a wok or heavy skillet over high heat.
Add 1 tbsp oil.

• Add beef in a single layer (cook in batches if needed)

• Sear 30–45 seconds per side

• Remove beef and set aside

⚠️ Don’t overcook here — it finishes later.

4. Stir-fry vegetables

In the same pan, add remaining oil.
Add:

• Onion

• Bell peppers

Stir-fry 2–3 minutes until tender-crisp.

Add garlic and ginger — cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

5. Bring it together

Return beef to the pan.
Pour in sauce and toss everything together.

Cook 1–2 minutes, until:

• Sauce thickens

• Beef is glossy and coated

Taste and adjust:

• More soy = saltier

• More sugar = sweeter

• More pepper = bolder

🍽 Serving Suggestions

• Over steamed white rice

• With fried rice

• Over noodles

• Low-carb: cauliflower rice or lettuce wraps

🔥 Pro Tips

• High heat = best flavor

• Don’t overcrowd the pan

• Want spicy? Add chili oil or crushed red pepper

• Want extra sauce? Double the sauce ingredients

🔄 Variations

• Chicken version: Swap beef for chicken thigh

• Mushroom boost: Add sliced mushrooms

• Asian steakhouse vibe: Finish with sesame oil

• Gluten-free: Use tamari or coconut aminos