Quick Garlic Soy Stir-Fried Beef with Bell Peppers

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A speedy stir-fry featuring tender strips of beef and colorful bell peppers in a savory garlic soy sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners. This asian-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs soy sauce, sesame oil, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 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: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Asian cuisine 360 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak with 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, and 1 tbsp honey. Marinate for 10 minutes while prepping vegetables.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  4. Step 4: Add the marinated beef strips in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes without stirring to get a good sear, then stir-fry for another 2 minutes until mostly cooked through.
  5. Step 5: Toss in 1 large sliced red bell pepper and 1 large sliced yellow bell pepper, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
  6. Step 6: Season with 1/2 tsp black pepper and scatter 2 sliced green onions on top. Stir well and remove from heat immediately to preserve freshness.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Garlic Soy Stir-Fried Beef 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 Quick Garlic Soy Stir-Fried Beef 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 Quick Garlic Soy Stir-Fried Beef 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 Quick Garlic Soy Stir-Fried Beef 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 Quick Garlic Soy Stir-Fried Beef with 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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