Sautéed Beef Stir Fry with Garlic and Bell Peppers
Tender strips of beef quickly stir-fried with crunchy bell peppers and a savory garlic sauce for a satisfying weeknight meal. This asian-inspired beef (high protein) ready in about 25 minutes pairs large red bell pepper, julienned, large green bell pepper, julienned, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 290 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, julienned
- 1 large green bell pepper, julienned
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tsp cornstarch and 1/4 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add 4 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add the beef to the skillet and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until browned on all sides but still tender.
- Step 4: Add 1 large julienned red bell pepper and 1 large julienned green bell pepper, stirring for 2 minutes until peppers are crisp-tender.
- Step 5: Stir together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water in a small bowl, then pour into the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and peppers evenly. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Beef Stir Fry with Garlic and Bell Peppers 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 Sautéed Beef Stir Fry with Garlic and 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 vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Beef Stir Fry with Garlic and 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 Sautéed Beef Stir Fry with Garlic and 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.
Is Sautéed Beef Stir Fry with Garlic and Bell Peppers high protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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