Sautéed Beef and Bell Pepper Stir Fry

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Quick stir-fried strips of tender beef with crisp bell peppers and onions in a savory soy-ginger sauce. This asian-inspired beef ready in about 22 minutes pairs thinly sliced into strips beef sirloin, medium, thinly sliced yellow onion, 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: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 3 Asian cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 2 tbsp water until smooth and set aside. This will be your stir-fry sauce.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 8 oz thinly sliced beef sirloin and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but still tender. Remove beef from pan and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 1 sliced yellow onion, 1 red bell pepper, and 1 yellow bell pepper, stir-frying for 4-5 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
  4. Step 4: Return beef to the skillet, pour in the prepared soy-ginger sauce, and toss everything together. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and vegetables. Season with 1/4 tsp black pepper and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 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 soy sauce from drying out.

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

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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