Sizzling Easy 20-Minute Pepper Steak Stir-Fry Recipe

Pepper steak stir-fry delivers a quick culinary adventure for busy home cooks craving bold flavors.

The sizzling combination enhances ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal within minutes.

Tender meat slices dance with vibrant vegetables in a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Authentic Asian-inspired seasonings elevate this straightforward dish beyond standard weeknight cooking expectations.

Each bite promises a delightful balance of savory and slightly spicy notes that awaken your palate.

Simple techniques and minimal prep work make this recipe accessible for novice and experienced cooks alike.

Your kitchen will buzz with excitement as aromas fill the air during rapid cooking.

What Makes Easy 20-Minute Pepper Steak Stir-Fry a Weeknight Hero

• Speedy Weeknight Wonder: Whip up this pepper steak stir-fry in just 20 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a delicious home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Flavor-Packed Protein Punch: Tender, thinly-sliced beef meets a rich, glossy sauce that combines sweet honey, tangy rice vinegar, and savory spices, creating an explosion of taste in every bite.
• Veggie-Loaded Goodness: Colorful red and green bell peppers add vibrant crunch and nutritional value, making this dish a balanced meal that looks as amazing as it tastes.
• One-Pan Cooking Magic: Minimize cleanup with this simple stir-fry technique that uses a single skillet, transforming basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality dinner with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Must-Have Ingredients for Pepper Steak Stir-Fry

• Flank Steak: Tender beef cut perfect for quick stir-frying, best when sliced against the grain for maximum tenderness.

• Low-Sodium Soy Sauce, Honey: Provides deep savory flavor and slight sweetness while tenderizing the meat.
• Cornstarch: Helps create a silky sauce and provides thickness to the stir-fry.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds bright, tangy acidity to balance the dish.

• Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Ground Ginger: Delivers complex aromatic spices that enhance the meat's natural flavor.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for bringing out the steak's rich taste and adding subtle heat.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil with high smoke point perfect for high-heat stir-frying.

• Red Bell Pepper, Green Bell Pepper: Crisp, colorful peppers that add freshness, crunch, and vibrant appearance to the dish.

• Cooked Rice, Scallions: Classic accompaniments that provide a neutral base and fresh garnish for the stir-fry.

Quick Guide to Cooking Pepper Steak Stir-Fry

Step 1: Get Steak Super Sliceable

Pop the flank steak into the freezer for 5 minutes

This trick makes cutting way easier

Cold meat slices like a dream

Step 2: Whip Up Flavor Explosion Sauce

Grab a small mixing bowl

• Soy sauce
• Honey
• Cornstarch
• Rice vinegar
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Ground ginger

Whisk everything until silky smooth

No chunky bits allowed

Step 3: Slice Steak Like a Pro

Pull steak from freezer

Slice lengthwise into two sections

Cut across the grain into razor-thin strips

Aim for quarter-inch thickness

Step 4: Sizzle the Beef

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet

Crank up heat to medium-high

Sprinkle steak with salt and pepper

Spread meat evenly in hot pan

Let it sear for 2 minutes without moving

Toss and cook for another 3 minutes

Transfer to a waiting plate

Step 5: Roast Those Peppers

Use same skillet

Toss in red and green bell pepper slices

Cook until edges start to caramelize

About 3 minutes total

Step 6: Bring It All Together

Return beef to skillet

Pour in prepared sauce

Stir until sauce gets wonderfully thick

Around 1-2 minutes of cooking

Step 7: Serve and Devour

Spread over steamed rice

Sprinkle with fresh scallion slices

Enjoy immediately

Tips to Master Pepper Steak Stir-Fry Fast

• Freeze Steak Strategically: Chill the flank steak for exactly 5 minutes to make slicing easier without partially freezing the meat.
• Slice Against the Grain: Cut the beef perpendicular to the muscle fibers for maximum tenderness and easier chewing.
• Create High Heat Drama: Use a scorching hot skillet to achieve perfect sear and prevent beef from steaming instead of browning.
• Sauce Whisking Wisdom: Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly to eliminate cornstarch lumps and ensure smooth, glossy coating.
• Pepper Power: Select fresh, crisp bell peppers with vibrant colors for maximum flavor and visual appeal in your stir-fry.

How to Keep Pepper Steak Stir-Fry Tasting Fresh

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover pepper steak stir-fry into an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat in Skillet: Warm the stir-fry over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. Add a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Microwave Option: Place stir-fry in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.

What to Eat with Pepper Steak Stir-Fry

• Pair with Zesty Riesling: A crisp, slightly sweet Riesling cuts through the savory steak, balancing the dish's bold flavors and complementing the bell peppers' brightness.
• Match with Jasmine Rice: Fluffy jasmine rice soaks up the rich sauce, providing a perfect neutral base that enhances the stir-fry's complex taste profile.
• Serve with Crunchy Asian Slaw: A tangy, fresh coleslaw with rice vinegar and sesame oil adds a cool, crisp contrast to the warm, spicy pepper steak, creating a delightful textural experience.
• Garnish with Green Tea: A hot green tea cleanses the palate between bites, highlighting the stir-fry's savory notes and supporting the meal's Asian-inspired flavor theme.

Ways to Switch Up Your Pepper Steak Stir-Fry

• Spicy Kick Pepper Steak: Add red chili flakes or sriracha sauce to the marinade for a fiery version. Boost heat levels by incorporating fresh jalapeños during the bell pepper cooking stage.
• Exotic Asian Fusion: Replace rice vinegar with mirin and add a splash of sesame oil. Include shiitake mushrooms and garnish with toasted sesame seeds for an authentic east Asian profile.
• Lean Protein Alternative: Swap flank steak with chicken breast or turkey strips. Adjust cooking time slightly to ensure meat remains tender and juicy while maintaining the classic stir-fry technique.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Substitute beef with firm tofu or tempeh, pressing out excess moisture before cooking. Use vegetable broth instead of soy sauce and add extra vegetables like zucchini or bamboo shoots for additional texture and nutrition.

Easy 20-Minute Pepper Steak Stir-Fry Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Pepper Steak Stir-Fry brings Chinese-inspired flavors to dinner in just 20 minutes. Juicy beef strips dance with crisp bell peppers and a savory soy-based sauce, delivering a quick and satisfying meal that satisfies hunger and delights taste buds.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound flank steak

Sauce Ingredients:

• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

Vegetables and Cooking Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 1 medium green bell pepper

Serving Suggestions:

• Cooked rice
• Sliced scallions

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Chill the flank steak briefly in the freezer to enhance slicing precision, allowing for more uniform thin cuts.
2. Create a harmonious sauce by whisking soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, rice vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, and ground ginger until completely integrated and silky smooth.
3. Extract the steak from the freezer and bisect it lengthwise, then meticulously slice across the grain into delicate, nearly translucent strips.
4. Ignite a large skillet with vegetable oil over robust heat, generating a searing environment for the meat.
5. Generously season the beef slices with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
6. Introduce the seasoned beef to the scorching skillet, distributing evenly to maximize caramelization, and allow undisturbed searing for approximately two minutes.
7. Energetically toss the beef, continuing cooking until achieving a perfect golden-brown exterior and complete internal doneness.
8. Transfer the expertly cooked beef to a temporary holding plate, preserving its succulence.
9. Utilize the same skillet to sauté the vibrant red and green bell peppers, cultivating tenderness and slight charring.
10. Reunite the cooked beef with the peppers, reintroducing any residual flavorful juices.
11. Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and peppers, stirring continuously to create a glossy, thickened coating.
12. Plate the aromatic stir-fry atop fluffy rice and garnish with freshly sliced scallions for a final flourish.

Notes

• Slice beef while semi-frozen for perfect thin cuts that cook quickly and evenly.
• Whisking sauce ingredients ensures smooth, lump-free liquid that coats meat beautifully.
• High-heat searing creates delicious caramelized edges on tender beef strips.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg