Sautéed Garlic Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Quick and flavorful beef stir fry with crisp bell peppers and a savory garlic-soy sauce, perfect for a high-protein weeknight dinner. This asian-inspired beef (high protein) ready in about 20 minutes pairs medium, julienned red bell pepper, medium, julienned yellow bell pepper, minced garlic cloves 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: 10 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 brown sugar, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 3 tbsp water until smooth to make the stir fry sauce.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until browned but not fully cooked through, then remove from skillet.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp sesame oil and 5 minced garlic cloves, sauté over medium-high heat for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 julienned red bell pepper and 1 julienned yellow bell pepper to the skillet, stir fry for 3-4 minutes until peppers are tender-crisp.
  5. Step 5: Return the beef to the skillet and pour in the prepared sauce along with 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using, stirring constantly for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and peppers evenly.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving immediately.

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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 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 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 minced garlic cloves 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 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 Garlic Beef Stir Fry with 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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