Instant Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Black Pepper

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

A fast and flavorful beef stir-fry loaded with garlic and black pepper, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner served over steamed rice or noodles. This chinese-inspired instant pot ready in about 20 minutes pairs flank steak, thinly sliced, garlic cloves, minced, black pepper, freshly ground for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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: 10 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  3. Step 3: Add the coated beef slices to the wok in a single layer and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the beef is browned and nearly cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce and 2 tbsp oyster sauce mixed with 1/4 cup water. Continue to cook for another 2 minutes, tossing to coat the beef and thicken the sauce.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving immediately with rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Instant Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Black Pepper take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 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 Instant Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Black Pepper?

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 flank steak, thinly sliced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Instant Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Black Pepper?

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 Instant Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Black Pepper 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 Instant Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Black Pepper?

Chinese instant pot 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes