Pan-Fried Goan Beef Chilli Fry with Bell Peppers and Mustard Seeds
A quick and spicy dry beef stir-fry combining tender beef strips with crunchy bell peppers, tempered with mustard seeds and fiery Goan spices. This goan-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs beef sirloin, thinly sliced, mustard seeds, garlic cloves, minced 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried red chili flakes
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tsp mustard seeds and sauté until they start to pop, about 30 seconds.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp dried red chili flakes, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 3: Toss in 1 lb thinly sliced beef sirloin, cooking for 5-6 minutes while stirring frequently until the beef is browned and just cooked through.
- Step 4: Add 1 tsp coriander powder, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp cumin powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Stir well to coat the beef with the spices.
- Step 5: Add 2 tbsp vinegar and 1 tbsp soy sauce, stirring for 1 minute until the sauce reduces slightly.
- Step 6: Finally, add 1 medium green bell pepper and 1 medium red bell pepper sliced into strips. Stir-fry for another 3-4 minutes until the peppers are tender-crisp and the beef is well coated with the spicy sauce.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Fried Goan Beef Chilli Fry with Bell Peppers and Mustard Seeds take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Pan-Fried Goan Beef Chilli Fry with Bell Peppers and Mustard Seeds?
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 beef sirloin, thinly sliced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Fried Goan Beef Chilli Fry with Bell Peppers and Mustard Seeds?
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 Pan-Fried Goan Beef Chilli Fry with Bell Peppers and Mustard Seeds 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 Pan-Fried Goan Beef Chilli Fry with Bell Peppers and Mustard Seeds?
Goan 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.
