Quick Sautéed Garlic Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers
Tender strips of beef quickly sautéed with garlic and colorful bell peppers in a savory sauce, perfect for a speedy weeknight dinner. This asian fusion-inspired beef ready in about 20 minutes pairs large red bell pepper, sliced, large yellow bell pepper, sliced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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 flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 large red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 large yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tsp cornstarch and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a bowl until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add the beef slices in a single layer and sear without stirring for 2 minutes until browned, then stir and cook for another 1-2 minutes until just cooked through.
- Step 4: Add 1 sliced large red bell pepper and 1 sliced large yellow bell pepper, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until peppers are tender-crisp.
- Step 5: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp sesame oil, tossing to coat everything evenly. Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick Sautéed Garlic 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 Quick Sautéed Garlic 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 large red bell pepper, sliced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Sautéed Garlic 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 Quick Sautéed Garlic 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 Quick Sautéed Garlic 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.
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