Pepper Steak Recipe

This pepper steak recipe is a quick and flavorful dish made with tender slices of beef, colorful bell peppers, and a savory sauce that comes together in minutes. Popular in Chinese-style cooking as well as many home-style variations, pepper steak is known for its bold flavor, fast cooking time, and versatility. It works well for busy weeknight dinners while still delivering restaurant-style taste using simple ingredients.

Pepper steak is traditionally prepared using thinly sliced flank steak, sirloin, or round steak cooked quickly over high heat to keep the meat tender. The combination of bell peppers and onions adds sweetness and texture, while the savory sauce brings everything together with a rich, balanced finish. This recipe can also be adapted into a crock pot pepper steak recipe, slow cooker version, or an instant pot meal depending on cooking preference and available time.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil, divided
1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips
1¼ pounds flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon minced ginger
Salt and black pepper to taste
¼ cup soy sauce
1½ tablespoons sugar
1½ tablespoons cornstarch
¼ cup water
Optional: sliced onions or mushrooms

Directions

• Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
• Add the bell peppers and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly tender, then remove from the pan and set aside.
• Add the remaining oil to the pan and increase heat to high. Season the steak with salt and black pepper, then cook for 5 to 6 minutes until browned.
• Add minced garlic and ginger and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Return the cooked peppers to the pan and stir to combine.
• In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sugar, water, and cornstarch until smooth.
• Pour the sauce over the steak mixture and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the meat evenly.
• Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.

Preparation Details

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Yield: 4 servings

Tips for the Best Pepper Steak

Slice the steak thinly against the grain to keep the meat tender and easy to chew. Partially freezing the beef for about 20 minutes before slicing helps achieve even, thin cuts. Cook over high heat to create a quick sear without overcooking the meat. Using a mix of red, yellow, or orange peppers adds sweetness, while green peppers provide a slightly sharper flavor. For a pepper steak recipe with gravy, increase the sauce quantity slightly and simmer longer until it reaches a thicker consistency.

This homemade pepper steak recipe can easily be adapted into a Chinese pepper steak recipe, an old-fashioned pepper steak recipe, or a mushroom pepper steak version by adding extra vegetables and adjusting seasoning according to taste.