Chipotle Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers
Quick sautéed beef strips with smoky chipotle peppers and colorful bell peppers make a spicy, satisfying stir fry. This asian-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes turns olive oil, large, thinly sliced red bell pepper, large, thinly sliced yellow bell pepper into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 peppers, finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 large, thinly sliced red bell pepper
- 1 large, thinly sliced yellow bell pepper
- 1 large, thinly sliced green bell pepper
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2, sliced for garnish scallions
- 1 tbsp, toasted for garnish sesame seeds
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak and sear for 2-3 minutes without stirring until browned on one side.
- Step 2: Stir the steak and add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 large each of thinly sliced red, yellow, and green bell peppers to the wok. Stir fry for 4-5 minutes until the peppers are crisp-tender.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp fresh lime juice, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss everything together and cook for another minute until the sauce coats the beef and peppers.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced scallions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chipotle Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Chipotle Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chipotle Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Chipotle Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Chipotle Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers?
Asian beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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