Pepper Steak Recipe (Chinese Pepper Beef Stir-Fry)

Tender beef, fresh peppers, and a light savory sauce come together in just 30 minutes for one of the easiest and most satisfying Chinese home cooking favorites you can make at home.

We are in deep summer and peppers are in season. This dish is so perfect for cooking fresh peppers! The sauce is very simple (mostly soy sauce) and it brings out the best flavors of beef and the fresh peppers. The secret is using a quick marinade with cornstarch and soy sauce, which keeps the beef incredibly tender while helping it absorb the delicious sauce. Serve it over steamed jasmine rice for an easy weeknight dinner that tastes even better than takeout.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ready in just 30 minutes
• Better than takeout
• Tender, juicy beef every time
• Simple pantry ingredients
• Perfect for busy weeknights
• Great for meal prep

Ingredients

For the Beef

• 1 lb flank steak or sirloin, top round, thinly sliced against the grain
• 1/4 tsp white pepper powder
• 2 tsp light soy sauce
• 1 tsp Shaoxing wine
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1-2 tbsp water

For the Stir-Fry

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb peppers
• 3 cloves garlic, sliced
• 2 green onion
• 1 tsp soy sauce

Tips for the Best Pepper Steak

Slice Against the Grain

Always cut the beef against the grain into thin slices. This shortens the muscle fibers and makes the beef much more tender.

Use Fresh Peppers

Fresh peppers are great for this dish, you can choose bell peppers, long peppers or a mix of different peppers.

Don’t Overcook the Beef

The beef only needs a minute or two in the wok. Overcooking can make it tough. Cook the peppers before adding the beef helps reduce the time of cooking the beef.

What to Serve with Pepper Steak

This dish pairs perfectly with:

• Steamed jasmine rice
• Fried rice
• Lo mein noodles
• Garlic bok choy
• Chinese cucumber salad
• Egg drop soup

Frequently Asked Questions

What cut of beef is best for pepper steak?

Flank steak is the classic choice because it’s flavorful and cooks quickly. Sirloin, ribeye, or flat iron steak also work well. I used sliced top round steak from Costco which worked really well and it was a less expensive cut.

Why is Chinese restaurant beef so tender?

Chinese cooking often uses a technique called velveting, where beef is marinated with cornstarch, soy sauce, and water before cooking. This creates an incredibly tender texture.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! Slice and marinate the beef and mix the sauce up to one day ahead. When you’re ready to cook, the stir-fry comes together in less than 10 minutes.

Is pepper steak spicy?

Traditional Chinese pepper steak isn’t very spicy. It is usually cooked with flavorful peppers which are not spicy.

Watch the video for instructions:

Pepper Steak Recipe (Chinese Pepper Beef Stir-Fry)

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 2 people

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb steak
• 1/4 tsp white pepper powder
• 2 tsp soy sauce marinate
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp Shaoxing wine
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 lb peppers
• 2 stalk green onions
• 3 clove garlic
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp soy sauce (or to taste) stir fry

Equipment

• 1 non-stick pan or wok

Method

 

1. Slice peppers, green onion and garlic. Slice steak and marinate with white pepper, soy sauce, sugar, shaoxing wine, corn starch, and water. Mix well and set aside for 15 minutes.
2. In a pan add cooking oil, drop in garlic, then add green onion, stir until fragrant.
3. Add peppers cook until slightly soft.
4. Drop in marinated beef and stir until beef changes color.
5. Add a splash of water and season with soy sauce. Mix well and serve. Enjoy!