Savory Pepper Steak Stir-Fry Recipe

Tasty Pepper Steak Stir-Fry Recipe Made in a Flash

Sizzling woks and aromatic spices dance together in this delectable pepper steak stir-fry that promises a quick culinary adventure.

Tender strips of beef mingle with vibrant bell peppers, creating a symphony of flavors in under 20 minutes.

The secret lies in the perfect balance of ingredients and rapid cooking technique.

Weeknight dinners just got a delicious upgrade with this simple yet impressive dish.

Packed with protein and bold seasonings, this stir-fry delivers restaurant-quality results without the wait.

Home chefs can easily master this recipe, turning ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Dive into a plate of pure satisfaction that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 330 kcal

Servings: 5

Pantry Picks for Pepper Steak Stir-Fry

For Protein:
  • Flank Steak: Tender cut that delivers rich, beefy flavor and absorbs marinades beautifully, choose well-marbled meat for maximum juiciness.
For Seasoning and Marinade:
  • Low-Sodium Soy Sauce, Honey: Creates a savory-sweet glaze that tenderizes and caramelizes the meat, select high-quality aged soy sauce for deeper taste.
  • Rice Vinegar: Adds bright tanginess and helps balance the dish's flavors, opt for clear, mild-flavored variety.
  • Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Ground Ginger: Infuse instant depth and aromatic warmth without chopping fresh ingredients, ensure spices are fresh and fragrant.
  • Cornstarch: Magical thickening agent that creates silky sauce and helps meat stay tender during cooking.
  • Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning that enhances natural meat flavors, freshly ground pepper provides more robust taste.
For Vegetable and Cooking Components:
  • Red Bell Pepper, Green Bell Pepper: Adds vibrant color, crisp texture, and sweet crunch, select firm peppers with glossy skin.
  • Vegetable Oil: Neutral cooking medium that prevents sticking and enables high-heat stir-frying, choose oil with high smoke point.
  • Scallions: Provides fresh, sharp garnish that brightens the entire dish, select bright green, firm stalks.
  • Cooked Rice: Perfect base that soaks up delicious sauce, choose long-grain white or jasmine rice for best results.

Tools to Whip Up a Quick Pepper Steak Stir-Fry

  • Skillet: Large, sturdy pan for searing steak and cooking vegetables quickly and evenly.
  • Cutting Board: Wooden or plastic surface for safely slicing steak and bell peppers.
  • Sharp Knife: Essential for cutting steak into thin, uniform slices.
  • Small Bowl: Used for whisking together sauce ingredients smoothly.
  • Whisk: Perfect tool for blending sauce components without lumps.
  • Plate: Temporary holding spot for cooked beef while preparing other ingredients.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure sauce ingredients like vinegar and spices.
  • Spatula or Tongs: Great for tossing and moving beef and peppers during stir-frying.

Quick Guide to Cooking Pepper Steak Stir-Fry

  • Meat Preparation

Chill the flank steak briefly to make slicing easier, creating ultra-thin delicate strips across the natural grain.

  • Flavor Foundation

Craft a silky sauce blending tangy and sweet elements that will transform ordinary ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish.

  • Sizzling Cooking Stage

Heat a large skillet until it radiates intense warmth, allowing beef strips to develop a gorgeous golden-brown exterior while maintaining juicy tenderness.

  • Vegetable Harmony

Introduce colorful bell pepper slices, letting them dance and soften in the same pan, absorbing remnants of beef’s rich caramelization.

  • Final Symphony

Reunite beef and peppers, drizzle the carefully prepared sauce, and let everything mingle and transform into a glossy, mouthwatering masterpiece.

  • Serving Suggestion

Nestle this vibrant stir-fry atop fluffy rice, garnishing with fresh scallion ribbons that add a bright, zesty finish to the dish.

How to Customize Your Pepper Steak Stir-Fry

  • Cooking Tips & Variations
  • Meat Slicing Secret: Partially freeze the flank steak for 5-10 minutes to achieve paper-thin, uniform slices that cook quickly and stay tender.
  • Protein Power Play: Swap flank steak with chicken breast, sirloin, or tofu for different flavor profiles and dietary preferences while maintaining the same cooking technique.
  • Veggie Explosion: Enhance the stir-fry by adding crisp vegetables like snap peas, broccoli florets, or sliced zucchini to boost nutrition and create more texture and color.
  • Spice Adventure: Kick up the heat by adding red pepper flakes, sriracha sauce, or a dash of chili oil for those who love a fiery kick in their stir-fry.
  • Gluten-Free Hack: Replace traditional soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the recipe completely gluten-free without sacrificing the rich, savory flavor.

Best Plate Ideas for Pepper Steak Stir-Fry

  • Flavor Fusion Feast: Pair this zesty pepper steak with fluffy jasmine rice or nutty brown rice for a complete meal that absorbs the delicious sauce.
  • Garnish Galore: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro, toasted sesame seeds, or thinly sliced green onions on top to add a burst of color and extra layer of freshness.
  • Spice Adventure: Drizzle sriracha sauce or sprinkle red pepper flakes for those who love an extra kick of heat, transforming the dish into a fiery culinary experience.
  • Veggie Boost: Toss in additional vegetables like snap peas, broccoli florets, or baby corn to increase nutrition and create more texture in the stir-fry.

Prep and Store Pepper Steak Stir-Fry Like a Pro

  • Smart Storage Solutions
  • Refrigerator Rescue: Store leftover pepper steak in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention and food safety.
  • Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Carefully pack cooled stir-fry in freezer-safe containers, where it maintains quality for 2-3 weeks when properly sealed.
  • Reheating Magic: Gently warm leftovers in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water to restore moisture and prevent drying out.
  • Meal Prep Genius: Slice beef and chop vegetables in advance, storing separately in sealed containers to streamline weeknight cooking and reduce preparation time.
Print
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Savory Pepper Steak Stir-Fry Recipe

Savory Pepper Steak Stir-Fry


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4.6 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Pepper steak stir-fry delivers bold Asian-inspired flavors in mere minutes. Home cooks can quickly prepare this savory meal with simple ingredients and quick cooking techniques.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (454 g) flank steak
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) honey
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil
  • 1 medium red bell pepper
  • 1 medium green bell pepper
  • Cooked rice
  • Sliced scallions

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Partially freeze flank steak to facilitate precise, ultrathin slicing across the grain, creating delicate meat strips.
  2. Sauce Creation: Whisk together soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, rice vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, and ground ginger until achieving a seamless, glossy consistency.
  3. Meat Seasoning: Season beef strips comprehensively with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring complete flavor distribution.
  4. Searing Process: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over high temperature, then introduce seasoned beef strips, allowing undisturbed caramelization for two minutes before dynamically tossing to achieve golden-brown perfection.
  5. Vegetable Integration: In the same skillet, sauté red and green bell peppers until tender with slight charring, then reunite with the cooked beef and any residual juices.
  6. Sauce Finalization: Pour prepared sauce over beef and peppers, stirring continuously to generate a luxurious, thick glaze that envelops each ingredient.
  7. Serving: Plate the aromatic stir-fry atop fluffy rice, garnishing with freshly sliced scallions to elevate the visual and flavor profile of the dish.

Notes

  • Freeze Steak for Precision: Briefly chill flank steak to make slicing easier and achieve ultra-thin, uniform cuts that cook evenly and quickly.
  • Master Sauce Whisking: Blend soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, and spices thoroughly to create a silky, well-integrated sauce that clings perfectly to meat and vegetables.
  • Slice Against the Grain: Cut meat lengthwise, then slice perpendicular to muscle fibers to guarantee tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef strips that aren’t chewy.
  • Maximize Caramelization: Use high heat and avoid overcrowding the skillet to develop deep golden-brown exterior on beef, sealing in maximum flavor and creating restaurant-quality sear.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 330
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 640 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

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