If you’re craving a dish that perfectly balances tender beef with crisp, colorful veggies in a savory sauce, this Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe is an absolute must-try. It combines juicy flank steak, vibrant bell peppers, and a fragrant mix of garlic and ginger, all coated in a rich, tangy sauce that hits every note from sweet to peppery. This is the kind of meal that feels both comforting and exciting, and the best part is how quickly it comes together, making it ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a special weekend treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step toward nailing a truly delicious Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe. Each element in this list plays a vital role, whether it’s the tenderizing marinade or the fresh veggies that brighten up the dish, every item is essential for that perfect harmony of taste and texture.
- 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain: Thin slices ensure quick cooking and tender bites.
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce: Adds a deep umami base to the steak marinade.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch: Helps create a glossy coating around the beef and locks in juices.
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil: Ideal for high-heat stir-frying without overpowering flavors.
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced: Adds vibrant color and sweet crunch.
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced: Offers a slight bitterness to balance the sweetness.
- 1 medium onion, sliced: Brings mild sharpness and softness to the dish.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: Infuses aromatic depth and warmth.
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated: Gives a zesty, fragrant punch that lifts the entire dish.
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce: Forms the flavorful backbone of the sauce without too much salt.
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce: Adds a rich, slightly sweet complexity.
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar: Delivers a gentle tang that brightens flavors.
- 1 tablespoon sugar: Balances savory and sour components with subtle sweetness.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Gives the dish its signature peppery kick.
- 1/4 cup water: Used to thin the sauce and help it coat everything perfectly.
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil (optional, for extra flavor): Adds a nutty aroma and depth if you like an extra layer of fragrance.
How to Make Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the Beef
Start by mixing your thinly sliced flank steak with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. This simple marinade not only tenderizes the meat but also ensures each slice is evenly coated, trapping moisture and flavor inside. Let it sit and soak up all those delicious seasonings for 15 to 20 minutes—it’s worth the wait.
Step 2: Cook the Beef
Heat up a wok or a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil. Once hot, add the beef and stir-fry it quickly for 3 to 4 minutes until it’s beautifully browned and cooked through. Cooking the beef separately first guarantees that it stays tender without overcooking when combined with the vegetables later. Remove the beef and set it aside.
Step 3: Stir-Fry the Vegetables
In the same wok, toss in the sliced red and green bell peppers, onion, and minced garlic. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until the veggies turn slightly tender but still hold onto their crispness. This quick step ensures the vegetables retain their lovely texture and vibrant color, adding freshness and contrast to the rich beef.
Step 4: Add Ginger
Throw in the grated ginger and cook it for about 30 seconds until you can smell its intoxicating fragrance. Ginger really brightens the whole dish with just a brief sauté, contributing a fresh, zesty aroma that pairs perfectly with the garlic and the rest of the sauce.
Step 5: Mix the Sauce
Whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, black pepper, and water in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves and the flavors meld. This sauce is where the magic truly happens, balancing sweet, salty, sour, and spicy notes into one harmonious blend that enrobes the beef and vegetables.
Step 6: Combine and Finish Cooking
Return the cooked beef to the wok and pour the sauce mixture over everything. Stir well so every strip of steak and every pepper slice gets that flavorful coating. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to let the sauce thicken slightly, clinging to the ingredients and creating that irresistible glossy finish.
Step 7: Add Sesame Oil (Optional)
If you want to elevate the flavor profile even more, drizzle 2 teaspoons of sesame oil right before serving. That nutty, toasted aroma makes the dish feel extra special and authentic, transforming your Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe into a restaurant-worthy meal.
How to Serve Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped green onions or a few toasted sesame seeds instantly makes your dish look stunning and adds subtle layers of texture and flavor. These small touches create a lovely contrast and make every bite visually and sensorially enjoyable.
Side Dishes
This pepper steak shines best served alongside fluffy steamed white rice or jasmine rice, which soaks up all that savory sauce beautifully. If you want to add more veggies on the side, lightly steamed broccoli or sautéed snow peas also make for excellent companions that keep the meal balanced and vibrant.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe over a bed of crispy fried rice or even noodles to mix things up. Another great idea is to pile the stir-fry onto lettuce cups for a fresh, low-carb option that’s perfect for sharing as finger food or appetizers at your next dinner party.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen after resting, so leftovers taste fantastic as a quick next-day meal.
Freezing
If you want to freeze your leftovers, pack the beef and veggies in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to preserve the best texture and flavor.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Adding a splash of water or broth while reheating helps to loosen the sauce again and keeps the beef tender rather than drying out.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?
Absolutely! While flank steak is ideal for its tenderness and quick cooking time, you can also use sirloin or skirt steak as long as you slice it thinly and against the grain. This ensures the meat stays tender and easy to bite into.
Is there a vegetarian version of this Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe?
You can easily swap the beef for firm tofu or tempeh and use vegetable oyster sauce or a mushroom-based sauce to keep the rich umami flavor. The peppers and onions will still provide great texture and taste.
Can I make this recipe spicier?
Yes, just add some sliced fresh chili peppers or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes when stir-frying the vegetables to give your Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe an exciting heat kick that wakes up your palate.
What can I use if I don’t have oyster sauce?
Substitute with an equal amount of hoisin sauce or a mixture of soy sauce and a tiny splash of fish sauce for depth. While not the same, these alternatives will still add savory, slightly sweet notes to the dish.
How do I avoid overcooking the beef?
The key is slicing the steak thinly and cooking it quickly on high heat just until browned. Overcooking can make the beef tough, so keep the stir-fry steps swift and don’t overcrowd the pan.
Final Thoughts
Cooking this Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe is a delightful journey that brings together simple ingredients into something truly special and crave-worthy. Once you master this method, you’ll find it’s one of those dishes you’ll want to come back to again and again—whether for bustling weeknights or relaxed weekend dinners. So grab your skillet, invite a friend, and savor every delicious bite of this vibrant, satisfying meal.
Print
Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Description
This Chinese Pepper Steak recipe features tender flank steak stir-fried with colorful bell peppers and onions in a savory, slightly sweet sauce enhanced with garlic, ginger, and a hint of black pepper. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s a quick and flavorful meal perfect served over steamed rice.
Ingredients
For the Marinade and Beef:
- 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For the Vegetables and Sauce:
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Marinate the beef: In a bowl, combine the thinly sliced flank steak with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Stir well to coat the beef evenly and let it marinate for 15-20 minutes to tenderize and absorb flavor.
- Stir-fry the beef: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until the beef turns brown and is cooked through. Remove the beef from the wok and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Cook the vegetables: In the same wok, add the sliced red and green bell peppers, onion, and minced garlic. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender but still crisp, preserving their vibrant color and texture.
- Add ginger: Add the grated ginger to the wok and cook for an additional 30 seconds until the aroma is released, enhancing the dish’s flavor.
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 cup water to create a balanced sauce with savory, tangy, and sweet notes.
- Combine beef and sauce: Return the cooked beef to the wok and pour the sauce mixture over the beef and vegetables. Stir well to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer and thicken: Cook everything together for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and cling to the beef and vegetables for maximum flavor.
- Add sesame oil: If desired, drizzle 2 teaspoons of sesame oil over the dish for a fragrant and nutty finish before serving.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve the Chinese pepper steak hot over steamed rice and enjoy a delicious homemade stir-fry that’s both quick and satisfying.
Notes
- For best results, slice the flank steak against the grain to ensure tenderness.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness of the dish.
- Feel free to adjust the bell pepper quantities or substitute with other colorful vegetables like snap peas or mushrooms.
- Oyster sauce is key to achieving the authentic savory flavor, but it can be omitted or replaced with vegetarian stir-fry sauce for a vegetarian variation.
- Do not overcook the vegetables to maintain their crunch and freshness.
- Semi-thick sauce consistency is preferable; if too thick, add a splash of water to loosen it.
