Simple Spicy Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers
A quick and vibrant beef stir fry featuring tender strips of flank steak and colorful bell peppers tossed in a savory chili-garlic sauce. This asian-inspired beef (high protein) ready in about 25 minutes pairs flank steak, thinly sliced, red bell pepper, sliced into strips, yellow bell pepper, sliced into strips 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 flank steak, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp chili paste
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, and 1 tsp chili paste; 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 stir fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but still juicy, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger to the wok, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 each sliced red, yellow, and green bell pepper strips and stir fry for 3-4 minutes until just tender yet crisp.
- Step 5: Return the steak to the wok and pour in the prepared sauce along with 1 tbsp sesame oil; toss everything together and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and peppers.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simple Spicy Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers 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 Simple Spicy 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 flank steak, thinly sliced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Simple Spicy 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 Simple Spicy 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.
Is Simple Spicy 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.
