Sautéed Garlic Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers and Ginger

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Quick stir-fried beef strips with crisp bell peppers and aromatic garlic and ginger in a savory soy glaze. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 27 minutes pairs flank steak, thinly sliced, soy sauce, sesame 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: 12 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp cornstarch until beef is evenly coated; let rest for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated beef strips, spreading them out, and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but still tender; remove beef and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same wok, add 2 tsp sesame oil. Sauté 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger over medium-high heat for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 large sliced red bell pepper and 1 large sliced green bell pepper to the wok. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until peppers are crisp-tender.
  5. Step 5: Return the beef to the wok with the peppers. Sprinkle 1 tsp brown sugar and 1/2 tsp black pepper, tossing everything together to combine and heat through for 1-2 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced scallions before serving immediately over steamed rice or noodles.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 27 minutes (15 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 Garlic Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers and Ginger?

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 flank steak, thinly sliced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers and Ginger?

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 and Ginger 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 and Ginger?

Chinese 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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