Quick Skillet Beef and Bell Pepper Stir Fry

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

Tender strips of beef quickly seared with colorful bell peppers and a savory soy-ginger sauce make this a fast and satisfying stir fry. This chinese-inspired stir fry ready in about 30 minutes pairs minced fresh ginger, minced garlic cloves, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 410 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp hoisin sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 1/4 cup water until smooth.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak and sear for 2-3 minutes without stirring until browned on one side. Flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until mostly cooked through; remove steak and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 1 large each of red, yellow, and green bell peppers sliced into thin strips, stir fry for 4-5 minutes until peppers are crisp-tender.
  4. Step 4: Return the beef to the skillet and pour the prepared sauce over the mixture. Stir constantly for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and peppers evenly.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and drizzle with 1 tsp sesame oil. Garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving over steamed rice or noodles.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Skillet Beef and Bell Pepper Stir Fry take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Quick Skillet Beef and Bell Pepper Stir Fry?

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 fresh ginger from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Skillet Beef and Bell Pepper Stir Fry?

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 Skillet Beef and Bell Pepper Stir Fry 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 Skillet Beef and Bell Pepper Stir Fry?

Chinese stir fry 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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