If you’re craving a quick, tasty, and utterly satisfying meal, look no further than this Pepper Steak Stir Fry! Bursting with colorful bell peppers and tender strips of steak, it comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. The secret lies in its simple yet flavorful ingredients, bringing out the best in each bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This Pepper Steak Stir Fry is ready in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for hectic weeknights.
- Bursting with Flavor: Each bite delivers a delightful mix of savory, sweet, and spicy notes.
- Colorful and Nutritious: The combination of red and green peppers adds a vibrant touch to your plate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Pepper Steak Stir Fry relies on a handful of essential ingredients that harmonize beautifully to create a dish that’s as delicious as it is visually appealing. Each ingredient plays a vital role in enhancing the flavor and texture, making it a dish you’ll crave again and again.
- Vegetable oil: This provides the necessary fat for stir-frying, ensuring a perfectly seared steak and tender-crisp vegetables.
- Red and green bell peppers: These colorful vegetables not only add a sweet crunch but also make the dish visually appealing.
- Flank steak: Thinly sliced and cooked to perfection, flank steak serves as the hearty base of this stir fry.
- Minced garlic and ginger: These aromatic ingredients boost the flavor profile, infusing the dish with a hint of spiciness.
- Soy sauce: It provides a savory, umami depth that’s essential for this Asian-inspired dish.
- Sugar: Balances the saltiness from the soy sauce, adding a delicate sweetness to each bite.
- Cornstarch: This helps to thicken the sauce, making it cling to the steak and peppers perfectly.
Variations
The beauty of this Pepper Steak Stir Fry lies in its flexibility. Feel free to adapt it to your liking! Whether you’re catering to dietary needs or simply mixing things up, these variations will help you make it your own.
- Add some heat: Toss in sliced chili peppers or a dash of sriracha to give the dish a spicy kick.
- Make it lower-carb: Substitute soy sauce with liquid aminos for a lighter option.
- Use chicken or tofu: Try replacing the steak with chicken breast or tofu for a different protein profile while keeping the flavors intact.
How to Make Pepper Steak Stir Fry
Step 1: Sauté the Peppers
Heat a teaspoon of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add in the vibrant red and green bell peppers, sautéing for just a few minutes until tender yet still crisp. Then, remove them from the pan to keep their delightful crunch.
Step 2: Cook the Steak
In the same pan, add the remaining oil and increase the heat to high. Season your thinly sliced flank steak generously with salt and pepper, then add it to the hot pan. Cook for about 5-6 minutes, letting it become beautifully browned.
Step 3: Infuse Flavor
Add the aromatic minced garlic and ginger to the steak, letting them release their flavors for just 30 seconds. Return the sautéed peppers to the pan, mixing everything well.
Step 4: Finish with Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sugar, a bit of water, and cornstarch. Pour this flavorful mixture over the pan and bring everything to a simmer, letting it thicken for about 2-3 minutes before serving.
Pro Tips for Making Pepper Steak Stir Fry
- Perfect Sear: Ensure your pan is hot when you add the steak. This will give it a nice sear and caramelization!
- Even Slice: Freeze your steak for 15 minutes before slicing; this firms it up, making it easier to slice thinly.
- Sauce Control: Always taste the sauce before serving and adjust the sweetness or saltiness as per your preference.
- Pepper Tenderness: Cook the bell peppers to your desired level of tenderness and experiment with different textures by mixing them at various stages.
How to Serve Pepper Steak Stir Fry
Garnishes
Top your Pepper Steak Stir Fry with finely chopped scallions or sesame seeds to add a fresh, flavorful crunch. A sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes can also add an extra layer of spice.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice or fluffy quinoa, which complement the saucy steak and vegetables perfectly. A side of stir-fried bok choy or a fresh cucumber salad can also enhance your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a more impactful presentation, serve this dish on a large platter, layering the steak above a bed of rice or noodles. Arrange the colorful peppers artfully on top, then finish with your favorite garnishes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Pepper Steak Stir Fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. This dish holds its flavor well, making it perfect for lunch the next day.
Freezing
Consider freezing portions of this stir fry without the sauce. Flash-freeze the cooked steak and peppers individually on a tray before transferring them to a freezer bag, keeping them separate from the sauce, which can be frozen in an ice cube tray for easy reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, simply thaw the portions overnight in the refrigerator, then gently warm them up in a pan over medium heat, adding a splash of water or soy sauce to prevent sticking.
FAQs
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Can I use other cuts of beef for this stir fry?
Yes, you can use other cuts like sirloin, rib-eye, or flat iron. Just ensure they’re thinly sliced for even cooking.
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Is it necessary to marinate the steak?
While not necessary, marinating in soy sauce and a bit of oil can enhance flavor and tenderness, especially if you have time for such preparation.
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What other vegetables can be added?
Feel free to include broccoli, snap peas, or mushrooms for added texture and nutrition.
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How can I make this gluten-free?
Simply replace the soy sauce with gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos to make this dish gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite as delightful as sharing a delicious meal with loved ones, and this Pepper Steak Stir Fry is bound to become a favorite at your table. With its vibrant colors and robust flavors, it is perfect for those hectic days when you crave something homemade and heartwarming. Give it a try and watch it become a staple in your recipe rotation!
Print
Pepper Steak Stir Fry Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
A quick and savory Pepper Steak Stir Fry featuring tender flank steak and vibrant bell peppers cooked in a flavorful soy-based sauce. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, this recipe combines the umami of soy with the freshness of peppers, all cooked in a single pan for easy cleanup.
Ingredients
Meat & Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, divided
- 1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into strips
- 1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into strips
- 1 1/4 pounds flank steak, thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Prepare Pan & Vegetables: Heat 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or wok. Add the bell peppers and cook for 3-4 minutes until just tender. Remove the peppers from the pan and set aside.
- Cook Steak: Add the remaining oil to the pan. Season the sliced flank steak with salt and pepper, then increase the heat to high. Add the steak to the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes until lightly browned and cooked through.
- Add Aromatics: Add minced garlic and ginger to the steak in the pan, and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Combine Vegetables and Steak: Return the cooked peppers to the pan with the steak mixture.
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sugar, water, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Simmer and Thicken: Pour the sauce into the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients evenly. Serve hot.
Notes
- Feel free to substitute with other colorful vegetables like snap peas or mushrooms for variety.
- Ensure the steak is sliced very thinly against the grain for maximum tenderness.
- For added flavor, garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds before serving.
- Adjust the soy sauce for a less salty version, if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
