This quick and easy Pepper Steak tastes just like the Chinese restaurant! Made with flank steak, bell peppers, and a sweet and savory sauce, it's perfect for a complete and delicious dinner.
Looking for more easy Chinese-American recipes? Try my Ground Beef and Broccoli or Egg Roll in a Bowl next!
About This Recipe
It's been a long time since I've posted a Chinese-American recipe, and what better way to kick off the return than with Pepper Steak? If you've never had pepper steak, firstly, I feel bad for you; secondly, please go to your nearest Chinese restaurant and order a plate. It's delicious. If not, just make this recipe at home, because it tastes just like takeout!
The key to making great pepper steak is choosing the proper cut of beef. I always recommend using flank steak because it stays very tender in stir-fries. You want to cut the slices against the grain of the meat which will make the pieces easier to chew and give a more tender bite. The grain runs along the long side of the steak, so just slice as you naturally would, and you'll end up cutting against the grain without even thinking.
Now the best part of this dish is the sauce. It's a combination soy sauce, chicken stock, brown sugar, and lots of black pepper. And of course, there is plenty of garlic and ginger, which we stir fry with the meat, to give the entire dish that signature Asian flavor.
Key Ingredients
Oil: You'll need two tablespoons of oil for sauteeing the vegetables and steak. Any neutral-flavored oil, like canola, vegetable, or avocado, will work.
Bell peppers: I used a classic combination of red and green bell peppers. That said, any combination of peppers will work, just make sure you have two of them.
Flank steak: The most important ingredient! As I mentioned earlier, you'll want to slice this against the grain so that the pieces come out more tender. If you look closely, there should be lines running along the meat; cut perpendicular to these to sever them.
Garlic & ginger: Try to mince these as fine as possible so more of their flavor distributes throughout the stir fry.
For the sauce: you'll need light soy sauce, chicken broth (or water), brown sugar, cornstarch, and black pepper. The cornstarch is what thickens the sauce.
Instructions
STEP 1: In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients and set aside.
STEP 2: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Cook the peppers for 2-3 minutes until softened. Remove to a plate.
STEP 3: Add another tablespoon of oil. Add the steak and cook for 2-3 minutes until browned on the outside but still pink on the inside.
STEP 4: Add the garlic and ginger and cook for another 30 seconds until it smells delicious.
STEP 5: Add the bell peppers back to the pan. Give the sauce mixture a stir, then pour it into the pan. Cook until the sauce thickens, then transfer to a serving dish. Enjoy!
Easy Pepper Steak
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided)
- 1 medium red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1 medium green bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1 ¼ pounds flank steak (thinly sliced)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
For the sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup chicken broth (or water)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (or more to taste)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Cook the peppers for 2-3 minutes until softened. Remove to a plate.
- Add another tablespoon of oil. Add the steak and cook for 2-3 minutes until browned on the outside but still pink on the inside.
- Add the garlic and ginger and cook for another 30 seconds until it smells delicious.
- Add the bell peppers back to the pan. Give the sauce mixture a stir, then pour into the pan. Cook until the sauce thickens, then transfer to a serving dish. Enjoy!
Leave a Reply