Pan-Seared Beef Strips with Garlic Soy Glaze and Bell Peppers

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

Quick pan-seared beef strips tossed with crisp bell peppers in a glossy garlic soy glaze perfect for a speedy weeknight dinner. This asian-inspired beef ready in about 22 minutes pairs minced garlic cloves, soy sauce, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 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: 12 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 390 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 2 tbsp water. Stir until the sugar and cornstarch dissolve and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound thinly sliced sirloin steak strips and season with black pepper. Sear for 2-3 minutes without stirring to get a nice crust, then stir and cook another 2 minutes until mostly cooked.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 large sliced red bell pepper plus 1 large sliced green bell pepper to the skillet. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until peppers are crisp-tender and garlic is fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Pour the prepared soy glaze over the beef and peppers, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats all the ingredients. Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Beef Strips with Garlic Soy Glaze and Bell Peppers take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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-Seared Beef Strips with Garlic Soy Glaze and 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 Pan-Seared Beef Strips with Garlic Soy Glaze and 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 Pan-Seared Beef Strips with Garlic Soy Glaze and 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 Pan-Seared Beef Strips with Garlic Soy Glaze and Bell Peppers?

Asian 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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