Garlic-Ginger Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers

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

A quick and flavorful beef stir fry featuring tender strips of beef sautéed with fresh garlic, ginger, and colorful bell peppers in a savory sauce. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 30 minutes pairs sirloin steak, soy sauce, sesame oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 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: 20 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 300 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Marinate 10 oz thinly sliced sirloin steak in 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp sesame oil for 15 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until just browned; remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same pan, add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 sliced red bell pepper and 1 sliced yellow bell pepper, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until peppers are slightly softened but still crisp.
  5. Step 5: Return the beef to the pan, sprinkle 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, and stir to combine.
  6. Step 6: Pour in the cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water) and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and peppers.
  7. Step 7: Remove from heat, garnish with 2 chopped scallions, and serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Garlic-Ginger Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (20 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 Garlic-Ginger 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 sirloin steak from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Garlic-Ginger 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 Garlic-Ginger 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 Garlic-Ginger Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers?

Chinese 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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