Quick Stir-Fried Garlic Beef with Bell Peppers and Snow Peas

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

A fast and flavorful stir-fry combining tender strips of beef with crisp snow peas and sweet bell peppers in a garlicky soy sauce glaze. This asian-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs trimmed snow peas, minced garlic cloves, soy sauce 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: 15 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 oyster sauce, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 2 tbsp water until smooth and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but still tender. Remove beef and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 tbsp sesame oil to the wok along with 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 sliced red bell pepper, and 1 cup snow peas. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender and garlic is fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Return the beef to the wok and pour in the prepared sauce. Stir-fry everything together for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and vegetables evenly.
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle 2 sliced green onions and 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper on top. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Stir-Fried Garlic Beef with Bell Peppers and Snow Peas 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 Stir-Fried Garlic Beef with Bell Peppers and Snow Peas?

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 trimmed snow peas from drying out.

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

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 Garlic Beef with Bell Peppers and Snow Peas 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 Garlic Beef with Bell Peppers and Snow Peas?

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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