Sautéed Garlic Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender strips of beef quickly stir-fried with crisp bell peppers and garlic in a savory sauce, perfect for a fast and flavorful dinner. This asian-inspired stir fry ready in about 30 minutes pairs soy sauce, cornstarch, vegetable oil 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: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp cornstarch in a bowl until evenly coated. Set aside for 10 minutes to marinate.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until just browned but not fully cooked. Remove beef and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add the remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the wok. Sauté 5 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 large each of red, green, and yellow bell peppers sliced into strips. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until peppers are crisp-tender.
  5. Step 5: Return the beef to the wok along with 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir-fry everything together for 2 minutes until the beef is cooked through and sauce coats the ingredients.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Garlic Beef Stir-Fry with 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 soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Beef Stir-Fry with 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 Garlic Beef Stir-Fry with 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.

What goes well with Sautéed Garlic Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers?

Asian stir fry 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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