Spicy Latin-Style Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-03 · Updated 2026-05-03

Tender strips of beef quickly stir-fried with colorful bell peppers and a spicy, smoky sauce inspired by Latin flavors. This Latin American recipe, ready in about 32 minutes, pairs vegetable oil, yellow onion, sliced, garlic cloves, minced 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 flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large red bell pepper, sliced into 1/2-inch strips
• 1 large green bell pepper, sliced into 1/2-inch strips
• 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

The wok we’d stir-fry this in → Best Woks for 2026: Carbon Steel, Nonstick & Flat-Bottom Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to create the marinade.
2. Step 2: Place 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak in a large bowl and pour marinade over it. Toss well to coat and let marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add sliced 1 medium yellow onion, 1 large red bell pepper, and 1 large green bell pepper to the skillet. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
5. Step 5: Push vegetables to the sides, add marinated beef in a single layer, and cook for 2-3 minutes without stirring to sear. Then stir everything together and cook for an additional 2 minutes until beef is cooked through and sauce thickens slightly.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro. Serve immediately with steamed rice or tortillas.