Sautéed Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers and Garlic Soy Glaze
Quick stir-fried beef strips tossed with crisp bell peppers in a savory garlic soy glaze, perfect for a fast and satisfying meal. This asian-inspired beef (high protein) ready in about 20 minutes pairs ounces flank steak, thinly sliced, medium, julienned red bell pepper, medium, julienned green bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces flank steak, thinly sliced
- 1 medium, julienned red bell pepper
- 1 medium, julienned green bell pepper
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/4 teaspoon (optional) crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 stalks sliced, for garnish green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 2 tablespoons water, and 1 tablespoon sesame oil to create a glossy stir-fry sauce; set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 12 ounces thinly sliced flank steak and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until just browned but slightly pink inside; remove and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add minced 4 garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add julienned 1 red bell pepper and 1 green bell pepper and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Step 4: Return the beef to the skillet along with the prepared sauce and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, if using. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and vegetables.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with sliced 2 green onions before serving immediately over rice or noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers and Garlic Soy Glaze 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 Sautéed Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers and Garlic Soy Glaze?
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 minced garlic cloves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers and Garlic Soy Glaze?
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 Bell Peppers and Garlic Soy Glaze 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.
Is Sautéed Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers and Garlic Soy Glaze 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.
