Intermediate-Spiced Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers

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

A medium-spiced beef stir fry combining tender strips of beef with colorful bell peppers and a savory sauce. This asian-inspired middle eastern ready in about 25 minutes pairs flank steak, thinly sliced, red bell pepper, sliced, green bell pepper, sliced 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: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 2 tbsp water in a bowl to make a slurry; set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak and stir fry for 3-4 minutes until browned but still tender; remove beef and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same wok, add 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tsp minced ginger, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 1/2 tsp chili flakes. Stir fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 sliced red bell pepper and 1 sliced green bell pepper; stir fry for 3-4 minutes until crisp-tender.
  5. Step 5: Return the beef to the wok, pour in the soy sauce slurry, and toss everything together for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the beef and peppers.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Intermediate-Spiced 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 Intermediate-Spiced 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 flank steak, thinly sliced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Intermediate-Spiced 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 Intermediate-Spiced 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 Intermediate-Spiced Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers?

Asian middle eastern 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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