Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe (2024)

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Easy Chinese pepper steak recipe! tender strips of beef stir-fried with bell peppers and coated in tasty dark sauce. A delicious Chinese stir fry that is ready in less than 30 minutes and better than takeout. Learn how to make authentic Chinese pepper steak that will put your takeaway to shame.

This pepper steak is another Chinese takeout recipe we love and just like my instant pot chicken and broccoli recipe and salt and pepper chicken, it's easy and quick to put together.

It's colorful, flavorful, tasty and makes a great meal served on rice or noodles. We love serving it on basmati rice or easy cook long grain rice! You can also eat this high protein dish on its own if you are on a low carb diet.

If you are looking for another method of cooking steak aside the popular readers' favorite instant pot steak, this is the one. It's another easy steak recipe to add to your favorites.

What is Pepper Steak

Pepper steak is a Chinese American stir fry dish that is made with thinly sliced beef, bell peppers, soy sauce, seasoning and thickened with cornflour/cornstarch. It's similar to black pepper beef. The beef often used in pepper steak is flank steak, sirloin or round steak. Although not ideal, you can use other cheaper cut of beef like flap meat and others however if you use the part that has more muscle, the meat tends to be tougher.

Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe that rocks

This pepper steak stir fry is restaurant quality that is made in the comfort of your home. Easier, cheaper and tastier than takeaway.

It's made on the stove in a wok but if you don't have wok you can make it in a frying pan. It's a one-pot stir fry recipe so no need for two pans in cooking this.

Have I mentioned how super easy it is to make? It really is and quick too! You can get it ready under 30 minutes.

With this homemade pepper steak recipe, you know exactly what's in your food. No hidden msg or artificial preservative.

Made fresh and cheaper than takeout. A tasty fakeaway dinner for you and your family.

Ingredients for pepper steak

The Detailed ingredient list is in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Steak

Cornflour

Bell peppers

Onion

Soy sauce

Brown sugar

Sesame oil

Beef broth or rice vinegar

How to make pepper steak

Let me show you how to cook pepper steak on the stove from scratch.

Cut steak into thin strips, add a tablespoon of cornflour, a tablespoon of soy sauce and salt. Mix till evenly coated and set aside. Marinate for 30 minutes if you have the time.

Slice the bell peppers and onion in thin strips then set aside.

Make the pepper steak sauce - In a small bowl, add the soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, sesame oil, black pepper and remaining cornflour. Whisk to mix and set aside.

Place a wok on the stove, add oil and bring to medium heat. When oil is heated, add in the marinated beef slices. Sear and brown both sides for a few minutes.

Add in the bell peppers, onion, ginger and garlic. Stir fry for 2 minutes before adding the soy sauce mixture.

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, stir till it thickens then take off the stove.

Serve immediately and enjoy. Pepper steak and rice is absolutely delicious but tastes great with noodles too.

How to Store leftover

Put leftover in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat, put in the fridge overnight to thaw and heat up on the stove or microwave when ready to eat.

Tips for Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe

To make slicing the beef easier, place in the freezer for about 10 minutes. This makes it firm and easier to slice.
Slice the beef against the grain.
If you have the time, marinate the beef 30 - 60 minutes prior to cooking.
Get the wok hot before searing the beef and keep hot till cooking done. Work quickly
Slice beef thinly and in similar size so it cooks fast and evenly.
Adjust black pepper to suit how spicy you want it.

Some other easy recipes on the blog

Shrimp stew

Stovetop chicken breasts

Instant pot beef tips

Curry rice

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