Spicy Beef and Pepper Stir Fry (Printer-friendly)
Quick-cooking beef stir fry: tender slices, vibrant bell peppers, and a bold, spicy sauce. Perfect for a weeknight meal.
# What You Need:
→ Beef
01 - 1 pound flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
→ Marinade
02 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
03 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch
04 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Vegetables
05 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
06 - 1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips
07 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced into strips
08 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
→ Sauce
11 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
12 - 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
13 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
14 - 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce (adjust to taste)
15 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
16 - 1 teaspoon sugar
→ For Cooking
17 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
→ Optional Garnish
18 - Sliced green onions
19 - Toasted sesame seeds
# How to Make It:
01 - In a mixing bowl, combine the thinly sliced beef with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Allow the beef to marinate for 10 minutes while preparing the remaining ingredients.
02 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon sugar until well combined. Set the sauce aside.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the beef is just browned. Remove the beef from the wok and set it aside.
04 - Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the wok. Introduce the minced garlic, grated ginger, and sliced red onion, stir-frying for 30 seconds until aromatic.
05 - Add the sliced red, green, and yellow bell peppers to the wok. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until they are tender-crisp.
06 - Return the browned beef to the wok. Pour in the prepared sauce and continue to stir-fry all ingredients together for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the beef and vegetables evenly.
07 - Remove the stir-fry from the heat. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if desired. Serve immediately, ideally with steamed rice or noodles.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You'll be amazed at how much flavor you can pack into such a short cooking time, making it perfect for busy evenings.
- It's incredibly versatile, allowing you to easily swap proteins or use up whatever colorful veggies you have on hand.
02 -
- Never overcrowd your wok when browning the beef; work in batches if needed, or you'll steam it instead of searing it to perfection, resulting in a less flavorful texture.
- Always have all your ingredients prepped and ready before you even turn on the stove; stir-frying moves fast, and you won't have time to chop or measure once the heat is on!
03 -
- To achieve that truly authentic stir-fry texture, pat your beef very dry before marinating; excess moisture will prevent a good sear and dilute the flavors.
- If you're worried about your beef sticking, a quick seasoning of your wok with a thin layer of oil over high heat before adding the main cooking oil can help create a non-stick surface.