Quick Stir-Fried Beef with Bell Peppers and Garlic Soy Sauce

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

Tender slices of beef stir-fried with colorful bell peppers in a savory garlic soy sauce, perfect for a fast and flavorful weeknight dinner. This asian-inspired beef ready in about 20 minutes pairs flank steak, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 2 tbsp water until smooth; set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 4 cloves minced garlic and 1 tsp grated ginger, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but still tender.
  4. Step 4: Toss in 1 medium each of thinly sliced red, yellow, and green bell peppers, stir-frying an additional 2 minutes until peppers soften slightly but retain crunch.
  5. Step 5: Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and peppers, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats everything evenly.
  6. Step 6: Season with black pepper to taste and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Stir-Fried Beef with Bell Peppers and Garlic Soy Sauce 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 Stir-Fried Beef with Bell Peppers and Garlic Soy Sauce?

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 flank steak from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Stir-Fried Beef with Bell Peppers and Garlic Soy Sauce?

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 Stir-Fried Beef with Bell Peppers and Garlic Soy Sauce 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 Stir-Fried Beef with Bell Peppers and Garlic Soy Sauce?

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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