Description
A classic Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions recipe featuring tender slices of flank steak stir-fried with colorful bell peppers, onions, and a savory soy-based sauce. This quick and flavorful dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner and is best served over steamed white rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 2 bell peppers (green and red), sliced
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- Sliced green onions for garnish (optional)
Sauce & Seasonings
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water or beef broth
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
Oils
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Serving
- Cooked white rice (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, water (or beef broth), sugar, and cornstarch. Stir until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and set aside.
- Cook Steak: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced steak and cook for 2–3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked through. Remove the steak from the skillet and set it aside to prevent overcooking.
- Stir-Fry Vegetables: Using the same skillet, add minced garlic, ginger, sliced onions, and bell peppers. Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender yet retain their crispness.
- Combine Steak and Sauce: Return the steak to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the steak and vegetables. Stir continuously to combine well, allowing the sauce to thicken and evenly coat the ingredients.
- Season and Finish: Add black pepper and optional sesame oil to the skillet, stirring to blend the flavors. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to ensure everything is heated through and flavors meld.
- Serve: Serve the pepper steak hot over cooked white rice. Garnish with sliced green onions if desired for a fresh finish.
Notes
- For best results, slice the steak thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness.
- You can substitute beef broth for water to add extra depth to the sauce.
- Adjust the amount of black pepper to your preferred spice level.
- Optional sesame oil adds a nutty aroma—use sparingly for best flavor balance.
- Cook vegetables until just tender to maintain a nice crunch in the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Keywords: Chinese Pepper Steak, Stir-Fry Beef, Pepper Steak with Onions, Easy Chinese Dinner, Beef Stir-Fry, Flank Steak Recipe
