Description
This Pepper Steak Stir Fry with Onions is a vibrant, flavorful dish combining tender beef strips, colorful bell peppers, and sweet caramelized onions in a savory, balanced sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it is perfect for a quick, nutritious weeknight dinner packed with protein and veggies, easily adaptable to your preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 red bell pepper, julienned
- 1 green bell pepper, julienned
- 1 yellow bell pepper, julienned
- 1 medium yellow or white onion, thinly sliced into wedges
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
Sauce Ingredients
- 3 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tbsp water or broth
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Cooking Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil or sesame oil
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Slice the steak thinly against the grain for tenderness. Julienne the bell peppers and cut the onions into thin wedges. Mince fresh garlic and ginger, setting all aside for quick access during cooking.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water or broth, freshly ground black pepper, and optionally cornstarch to create a savory, slightly thickened sauce that will coat the stir fry ingredients.
- Cook the Beef: Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat with vegetable or sesame oil. Stir-fry the beef strips quickly until browned but not fully cooked through, then remove and set aside to maintain tenderness.
- Sauté Onions and Peppers: In the same pan, add more oil if necessary. Stir-fry the onions and bell peppers until the onions become translucent and peppers soften slightly while keeping their crunch.
- Combine and Finish Cooking: Return the beef to the pan with garlic and ginger. Pour in the pre-mixed sauce and stir to combine. Cook until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the beef and vegetables. Remove from heat and serve.
Notes
- Thinly sliced steak cooks quickly and stays tender; avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent steaming.
- Use high heat to sear the beef and keep vegetables crisp.
- Have all ingredients prepared before starting to stir-fry to ensure smooth cooking.
- Fresh garlic and ginger provide the best flavor compared to powders.
- Freshly ground black pepper is essential for an aromatic flavor boost.
- Protein alternatives include chicken, tofu, or shrimp.
- For gluten-free, swap soy sauce with tamari.
- Optional sweetness can be added using honey or brown sugar to the sauce.
- If cornstarch is unavailable, arrowroot powder or no thickener works (sauce will be thinner).
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg