Spicy Beef Pepper Stir Fry (Printable version)
Tender beef tossed with vibrant peppers and a fiery savory sauce cooked quickly for a flavorful meal.
# What you need:
→ Beef
01 - 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
02 - 1 tbsp cornstarch
03 - 1 tbsp soy sauce
04 - 1 tsp sesame oil
→ Vegetables
05 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
06 - 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
07 - 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
08 - 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
11 - 2 spring onions, sliced (for garnish)
→ Sauce
12 - 3 tbsp soy sauce
13 - 1 tbsp oyster sauce
14 - 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
15 - 2 tsp chili paste (e.g., sambal oelek), adjust to taste
16 - 1 tsp brown sugar
17 - 2 tbsp water
→ Oil & Seasoning
18 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
19 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How To:
01 - Combine flank steak slices with cornstarch, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and sesame oil. Let marinate for 10 minutes.
02 - Mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, chili paste, brown sugar, and water in a small bowl. Set aside.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat. Sear marinated beef in a single layer for 1 to 2 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.
04 - Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the wok. Stir-fry onions, garlic, and ginger for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add bell peppers to the wok and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until tender-crisp.
06 - Return beef and any collected juices to the wok. Pour in the prepared sauce and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing sauce to thicken and coat all ingredients.
07 - Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and garnish with sliced spring onions before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It feels like sharing a secret with a friend how quickly you can have a restaurant-quality stir fry at home
- The mix of tender beef and crisp peppers makes every bite exciting and satisfying
02 -
- Marinating the beef with cornstarch is a game changer for keeping the texture just right and silky.
- Adjusting the chili paste to your heat preference means this dish can be exactly how you like it, from mild to fiery.
03 -
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking beef; sear in batches if needed to get that perfect caramelization.
- The key to the sauce’s depth is balancing the salty, sweet, and spicy components—taste and tweak as you go.