Sautéed Garlic Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers and Snow Peas
Tender strips of beef quickly sautéed with crisp bell peppers, sweet snow peas, and savory garlic in a vibrant stir fry sauce. This asian-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs flank steak, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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
- 1 medium, sliced into thin strips red bell pepper
- 1 medium, sliced into thin strips yellow bell pepper
- 1 cup, trimmed snow peas
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 2, sliced for garnish green onions
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 2 tbsp water until smooth; set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak and 4 minced garlic cloves, stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until beef is just browned but not fully cooked.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup snow peas, 1 sliced red bell pepper, and 1 sliced yellow bell pepper to the wok. Continue stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Step 4: Pour the prepared soy sauce mixture into the wok along with 1 tbsp sesame oil and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss everything together and cook for another 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the beef and vegetables.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers and Snow Peas take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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 and Snow Peas?
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 from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers and Snow Peas?
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 Snow Peas 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 Snow Peas?
Asian 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved it! The beef stayed juicy and the peppers added a lovely crunch.
- ★★★★★
The garlic depth was incredible; I doubled the sauce for extra flavor.
- ★★★★★
My kids devoured this—perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup!








