Spicy Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers and Garlic

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Quick stir-fried beef strips tossed with colorful bell peppers and a bold garlic-chili sauce for a satisfying weeknight meal. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs thinly sliced beef sirloin, soy sauce, cornstarch 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.

★ 4.6 (10 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 10 oz thinly sliced beef sirloin with 2 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp cornstarch in a bowl until evenly coated. Let marinate for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked. Remove beef and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same pan, add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp dried red chili flakes, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 sliced red bell pepper and 1 sliced green bell pepper to the pan and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
  5. Step 5: Return the beef to the pan along with 1 tsp brown sugar and 3 tbsp water. Stir-fry everything together for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and vegetables evenly. Serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers and Garlic 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 Spicy Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers and Garlic?

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 thinly sliced beef sirloin from drying out.

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

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 Spicy Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers and Garlic 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 Spicy Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers and Garlic?

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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