Introduction
Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions is a beloved dish known for its bold flavors, tender strips of beef, and crisp vegetables. This dish is a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and slightly tangy, thanks to the marinade and quick stir-frying technique that locks in the flavors. It’s an ideal dinner option for busy weeknights, as it requires minimal prep and cooks quickly, yet delivers an impressive and delicious meal. Serve it over steamed rice or noodles to soak up the rich sauce, and you’ve got a complete, satisfying meal the whole family will love. Let’s jump into this quick and easy stir-fry recipe!
Ingredients:
For the Marinade:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
For the Stir-Fry:
- 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 large bell peppers (1 red, 1 green), sliced into strips
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1/4 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (for additional seasoning)
Preparation:
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, cornstarch, rice vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil until smooth. This marinade adds a savory, slightly sweet, and tangy flavor that tenderizes the beef while enhancing its natural taste. Once the marinade is well combined, add the thinly sliced flank steak, ensuring that each piece is fully coated. Cover the bowl and let the beef marinate for at least 30 minutes. For even better flavor, marinate for up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
Step 2: Stir-Fry the Steak
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the marinated steak slices in a single layer. Stir-fry the beef for 3-4 minutes until it is browned and cooked through. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary to ensure even browning. Once the steak is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3: Stir-Fry the Vegetables
In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Heat over medium-high heat, then add the sliced bell peppers, onion, garlic, and minced ginger. Stir-fry the vegetables for about 4-5 minutes until they are tender but still slightly crisp. The bell peppers should retain some of their vibrant color and crunch, while the onions should become slightly softened and translucent. Stir often to prevent the garlic from burning.
Step 4: Combine and Finish the Stir-Fry
Once the vegetables are cooked to your liking, add the beef broth and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce to the skillet. This adds a light sauce to the dish, infusing the vegetables with extra flavor. Return the cooked steak to the skillet, tossing everything together to ensure the beef and vegetables are well mixed and evenly coated with the sauce. Stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes until the beef is heated through and everything is sizzling and aromatic.
Step 5: Serve
Remove the skillet from the heat and serve your sizzling Chinese pepper steak immediately. For a full, satisfying meal, pair it with steamed jasmine rice or noodles to help soak up the delicious sauce.
COOKING NOTE:
- Flank Steak Tips: When slicing the steak, be sure to cut against the grain to ensure tender bites of beef. Slicing thinly helps the beef cook quickly and remain tender in the stir-fry.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add other vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or carrots to customize the dish to your preferences.
Serving Suggestions:
This Chinese Pepper Steak pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine or basmati rice, which helps to soak up the flavorful sauce. For a low-carb option, serve it with cauliflower rice or alongside stir-fried noodles for an even heartier meal. You can also garnish the dish with sliced green onions or toasted sesame seeds for an added pop of flavor and texture.
Tips:
- Marinating Time: Marinate the steak for at least 30 minutes, but for best results, allow the steak to marinate for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator. The marinade helps tenderize the beef and infuse it with flavor.
- High Heat Stir-Frying: When stir-frying, keep the heat at medium-high to high for a quick cook and to retain the crispness of the vegetables. Be sure to stir continuously to prevent burning.
- Slicing the Steak: To ensure the steak is tender, always slice it against the grain. This breaks up the muscle fibers and results in more tender bites.
- Make-Ahead Prep: You can prepare the vegetables and marinate the steak ahead of time, so all you need to do is cook the ingredients when you’re ready to eat. This makes it a quick and convenient meal for busy evenings.
- Adjusting Sauce Thickness: If you prefer a thicker sauce, dissolve an additional 1 teaspoon of cornstarch in a tablespoon of water and stir it into the skillet during Step 4. Allow the sauce to cook and thicken as you stir.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 28g
- Sodium: 1050mg
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
Conclusion
This Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions is a perfect weeknight dish that is packed with flavor and loaded with vibrant veggies. The tender beef, sweet bell peppers, and fragrant onions come together in a savory stir-fry that is both satisfying and easy to prepare. Whether you’re cooking for your family or hosting a dinner party, this quick and flavorful dish is sure to impress. Serve it with rice or noodles for a well-rounded meal that’s both delicious and wholesome. Once you try this recipe, it’s bound to become a regular in your dinner rotation!
Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions: A Flavorful Stir-Fry
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Description
Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions is a beloved dish known for its bold flavors, tender strips of beef, and crisp vegetables. This dish is a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and slightly tangy, thanks to the marinade and quick stir-frying technique that locks in the flavors. It’s an ideal dinner option for busy weeknights, as it requires minimal prep and cooks quickly, yet delivers an impressive and delicious meal. Serve it over steamed rice or noodles to soak up the rich sauce, and you’ve got a complete, satisfying meal the whole family will love. Let’s jump into this quick and easy stir-fry recipe!
Ingredients
For the Marinade:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
For the Stir-Fry:
- 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 large bell peppers (1 red, 1 green), sliced into strips
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1/4 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (for additional seasoning)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, cornstarch, rice vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil until smooth. This marinade adds a savory, slightly sweet, and tangy flavor that tenderizes the beef while enhancing its natural taste. Once the marinade is well combined, add the thinly sliced flank steak, ensuring that each piece is fully coated. Cover the bowl and let the beef marinate for at least 30 minutes. For even better flavor, marinate for up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
Step 2: Stir-Fry the Steak
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the marinated steak slices in a single layer. Stir-fry the beef for 3-4 minutes until it is browned and cooked through. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary to ensure even browning. Once the steak is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3: Stir-Fry the Vegetables
In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Heat over medium-high heat, then add the sliced bell peppers, onion, garlic, and minced ginger. Stir-fry the vegetables for about 4-5 minutes until they are tender but still slightly crisp. The bell peppers should retain some of their vibrant color and crunch, while the onions should become slightly softened and translucent. Stir often to prevent the garlic from burning.
Step 4: Combine and Finish the Stir-Fry
Once the vegetables are cooked to your liking, add the beef broth and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce to the skillet. This adds a light sauce to the dish, infusing the vegetables with extra flavor. Return the cooked steak to the skillet, tossing everything together to ensure the beef and vegetables are well mixed and evenly coated with the sauce. Stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes until the beef is heated through and everything is sizzling and aromatic.
Step 5: Serve
Remove the skillet from the heat and serve your sizzling Chinese pepper steak immediately. For a full, satisfying meal, pair it with steamed jasmine rice or noodles to help soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
COOKING NOTE:
- Flank Steak Tips: When slicing the steak, be sure to cut against the grain to ensure tender bites of beef. Slicing thinly helps the beef cook quickly and remain tender in the stir-fry.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add other vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or carrots to customize the dish to your preferences.
Serving Suggestions:
This Chinese Pepper Steak pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine or basmati rice, which helps to soak up the flavorful sauce. For a low-carb option, serve it with cauliflower rice or alongside stir-fried noodles for an even heartier meal. You can also garnish the dish with sliced green onions or toasted sesame seeds for an added pop of flavor and texture.
Tips:
- Marinating Time: Marinate the steak for at least 30 minutes, but for best results, allow the steak to marinate for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator. The marinade helps tenderize the beef and infuse it with flavor.
- High Heat Stir-Frying: When stir-frying, keep the heat at medium-high to high for a quick cook and to retain the crispness of the vegetables. Be sure to stir continuously to prevent burning.
- Slicing the Steak: To ensure the steak is tender, always slice it against the grain. This breaks up the muscle fibers and results in more tender bites.
- Make-Ahead Prep: You can prepare the vegetables and marinate the steak ahead of time, so all you need to do is cook the ingredients when you’re ready to eat. This makes it a quick and convenient meal for busy evenings.
- Adjusting Sauce Thickness: If you prefer a thicker sauce, dissolve an additional 1 teaspoon of cornstarch in a tablespoon of water and stir it into the skillet during Step 4. Allow the sauce to cook and thicken as you stir.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380
- Sodium: 1050mg
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g