Sautéed Garlic Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-29 · Updated 2026-05-29

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 recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs flank steak, soy sauce, cornstarch 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.

Ingredients

• 1 lb, thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 5, minced garlic cloves
• 1 large, sliced into strips red bell pepper
• 1 large, sliced into strips green bell pepper
• 1 large, sliced into strips yellow bell pepper
• 1 tbsp, minced ginger
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 2, sliced thin green onions
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The wok we’d stir-fry this in → Best Woks for 2026: Carbon Steel, Nonstick & Flat-Bottom Picks + Buying Guide

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.