Four-Spice Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender strips of beef quickly stir-fried with colorful bell peppers and a balanced four-spice seasoning for a flavorful dinner. This asian fusion-inspired beef ready in about 18 minutes pairs minced garlic cloves, ground ginger, ground black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 8 min Serves 3 Asian Fusion cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering, about 1-2 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, then add 12 oz thinly sliced beef sirloin and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the beef is mostly browned.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 large sliced red bell pepper and 1 large sliced yellow bell pepper, continuing to stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until peppers are tender-crisp.
  4. Step 4: Sprinkle in 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, and 1/2 tsp ground coriander, then pour in 3 tbsp soy sauce and 2 tsp sesame oil.
  5. Step 5: Stir everything together and cook for an additional 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef and vegetables evenly. Remove from heat and serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Four-Spice Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers take to make?

Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 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 Four-Spice Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep minced garlic cloves from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Four-Spice 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 Four-Spice Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Four-Spice Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers?

Asian Fusion 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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