A flavorful and easy-to-make Chinese Pepper Steak with tender slices of beef, vibrant bell peppers, and sweet onions, all coated in a savory and slightly sweet sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner!
Ingredients:
- For the Beef:
- 1 pound flank steak or sirloin steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- For the Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 cup beef broth or water
- For the Vegetables:
- 1 large bell pepper (any color), sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, minced (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Optional:
- Red pepper flakes for heat.
- Sesame seeds for garnish.
- Green onions, chopped, for garnish.
Instructions:
- Prepare the Beef:
- In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced beef with 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, and 1/2 cup beef broth or water. Set aside.
- Cook the Vegetables:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
- Add the sliced onions and bell peppers, and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until slightly tender-crisp.
- Add the minced garlic and ginger, and stir-fry for another minute until fragrant.
- Remove the vegetables from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the Beef:
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet.
- Add the marinated beef and stir-fry quickly over high heat until browned and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
- Combine and Simmer:
- Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet and bring it to a simmer, stirring constantly until it thickens slightly.
- Return the cooked beef and vegetables to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce.
- If you would like a little heat, add red pepper flakes to your liking.
- Serve:
- Serve the sizzling pepper steak immediately over steamed rice.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired.
Tips and Variations:
- For extra tender beef, you can tenderize it with a meat mallet before slicing.
- You can use other vegetables such as broccoli, mushrooms, or carrots.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar and soy sauce to your taste.
- If you do not have oyster sauce, you can add a little extra soy sauce, and a touch of hoisin sauce.
- For a thicker sauce, add a slurry of cornstarch and water.
Enjoy your delicious homemade Chinese Pepper Steak!