Spiced Beef Stir-Fry with Red Bell Peppers and Scallions
A quick and flavorful stir-fry combining tender beef strips with colorful red bell peppers and fresh scallions, seasoned with aromatic spices. This asian fusion-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs soy sauce, sesame oil, minced fresh ginger 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
- 1 large, sliced into thin strips red bell pepper
- 4 stalks, sliced into 1-inch pieces scallions
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp, minced fresh ginger
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk 3 tbsp soy sauce, 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 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but still tender. Remove beef from wok and set aside.
- Step 3: Lower heat to medium-high, add 1 tbsp minced ginger and 2 minced garlic cloves to the wok, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 1 large sliced red bell pepper and cook for 3 minutes until slightly softened.
- Step 4: Return beef to the wok along with 4 sliced scallions, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, 1/4 tsp red chili flakes, and the soy sauce mixture. Stir-fry for 2 more minutes until sauce thickens and coats the beef and vegetables evenly.
- Step 5: Drizzle 1 tbsp sesame oil over the stir-fry, toss to combine, and serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Beef Stir-Fry with Red Bell Peppers and Scallions 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 Spiced Beef Stir-Fry with Red Bell Peppers and Scallions?
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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Beef Stir-Fry with Red Bell Peppers and Scallions?
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 Spiced Beef Stir-Fry with Red Bell Peppers and Scallions 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.
What goes well with Spiced Beef Stir-Fry with Red Bell Peppers and Scallions?
Asian Fusion 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.