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Pepper Steak Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 61 reviews

Pepper Steak is a flavorful and vibrant stir-fry dish featuring tender strips of top round beef cooked with colorful bell peppers and onions in a savory-sweet sauce. Marinated for tenderization and bursting with garlic, ginger, and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes, this classic Asian-inspired recipe is quick to prepare and perfect served over steamed rice for a delicious, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef and Marinade

  • 1 pound top round beef (sliced into strips against the grain)
  • ¾ cup water
  • ¼ cup honey (or brown sugar)
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon mirin (or dry sherry, optional)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (minced)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Vegetables and Cooking

  • 2 tablespoons canola oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 1 large yellow onion (thinly sliced)
  • 1 green bell pepper (cored and sliced)
  • 1 red bell pepper (or orange/yellow, cored and sliced)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Garnishes

  • Green onions (sliced)
  • Sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Make the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together water, honey, soy sauce, mirin (if using), Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, minced ginger, and red pepper flakes until well combined to create the flavorful marinade.
  2. Marinate the Beef: Add the sliced beef strips into the marinade, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours, stirring occasionally to evenly coat the beef and tenderize it.
  3. Prepare to Cook: Remove the beef from the marinade, reserving the marinade for later use. This reserved liquid will be used for the sauce.
  4. Heat the Skillet: Place a cast-iron skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add the canola oil. Allow the oil to heat until shimmering to ensure a good sear.
  5. Cook the Vegetables: Add the thinly sliced onion along with the green and red bell peppers to the hot skillet. Stir-fry the vegetables for about 5 minutes, or until they are tender but retain some crunch. Transfer them to a plate to keep warm.
  6. Sear the Beef: Add the marinated beef strips to the hot skillet. Cook undisturbed for 1 minute to get a nice sear on one side. Then stir and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the beef is browned but not fully cooked through.
  7. Combine Beef and Vegetables: Transfer the seared beef to the plate with the cooked vegetables to combine the ingredients.
  8. Make the Sauce: Whisk the cornstarch into the reserved marinade until smooth. Pour this mixture into the same skillet over medium-high heat. Whisk continuously and bring to a boil. Let it boil for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  9. Simmer Together: Reduce the heat to medium, return the beef and vegetable mixture back to the skillet with the thickened sauce. Stir thoroughly to coat everything, and simmer for 1-2 minutes until heated through and flavors meld.
  10. Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot alongside steamed rice for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Marinating the beef overnight enhances flavor and tenderness but a minimum of 2 hours works well.
  • Use top round beef or similar lean cuts for tenderness when sliced thin against the grain.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spiciness of the dish.
  • Vegetable oil can be substituted for canola oil if preferred.
  • Serve with steamed jasmine rice or brown rice for a balanced meal.
  • For gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari or gluten-free soy sauce.

Keywords: pepper steak, stir fry beef, Asian beef recipe, quick dinner, marinated beef stir fry, bell pepper beef

Find it online: https://dinewithdylan.com/pepper-steak-recipe/