Quarter-Hour Spiced Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers

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

A quick and colorful beef stir fry showcasing tender strips of beef cooked with vibrant bell peppers and a hint of warming spices, ready in just 15 minutes. This asian fusion-inspired beef ready in about 20 minutes pairs medium, julienned red bell pepper, medium, julienned yellow bell pepper, medium, julienned green bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 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: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Asian Fusion cuisine 310 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 10 oz thinly sliced flank steak and stir-fry for 3 minutes until browned but still tender.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger to the wok, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Toss in 1 medium each of julienned red, yellow, and green bell peppers (about 3 cups total), and stir-fry for 3 minutes until crisp-tender.
  4. Step 4: Sprinkle 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 1/2 tsp black pepper over the ingredients; pour in 3 tbsp soy sauce and stir everything together for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef and vegetables.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced scallions before serving immediately over steamed rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quarter-Hour Spiced Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers 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 Quarter-Hour 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 soy sauce from drying out.

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

Asian Fusion 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.