Quick Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Black Pepper Sauce

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

Tender strips of beef quickly stir-fried with aromatic garlic and cracked black pepper in a savory sauce, perfect for a fast and satisfying meal. This Asian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 18 minutes, pairs flank steak, garlic cloves, black peppercorns for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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: 10 min Cook: 8 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 320 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, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 2 tbsp water until smooth. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp coarsely crushed black peppercorns to the hot oil, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burned.
  4. Step 4: Add 400 g thinly sliced flank steak to the wok in a single layer, stir-frying for 2-3 minutes until the beef edges start to brown but remain tender.
  5. Step 5: Pour the prepared sauce over the beef, tossing continuously to coat the meat evenly. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and clings to the beef.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 2 sliced green onions and remove from heat. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Black Pepper Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 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 Garlic and Black Pepper 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 Garlic and Black Pepper 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 Garlic and Black Pepper Sauce 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 Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Black Pepper Sauce?

Asian pizza 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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