Spicy Stir-Fried Beef with Bell Peppers and Garlic Sauce
Tender strips of beef wok-seared with colorful bell peppers in a bold garlic and chili sauce, perfect over steamed rice. This Asian Fusion-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs flank steak, 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 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
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large, sliced into strips red bell pepper
- 1 large, sliced into strips green bell pepper
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp fresh, minced ginger
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 stalks, sliced thin green onions
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated. Let marinate for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but still tender. Remove beef from wok and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same wok, add 1 large sliced red bell pepper and 1 large sliced green bell pepper. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until just tender but still crisp.
- Step 4: Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, and 1 tsp red chili flakes to the peppers. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 5: Stir together 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1/4 cup water in a small bowl, then pour into the wok. Cook for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the vegetables.
- Step 6: Return the cooked beef to the wok, drizzle with 1 tsp sesame oil, and toss everything together over medium heat for 1 minute to combine flavors.
- Step 7: Remove from heat, garnish with 2 sliced green onions, and serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Stir-Fried Beef with Bell Peppers and Garlic Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Stir-Fried Beef with Bell Peppers and Garlic Sauce?
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 Spicy Stir-Fried Beef with Bell Peppers and Garlic Sauce?
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 Stir-Fried Beef with Bell Peppers and Garlic Sauce 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 Spicy Stir-Fried Beef with Bell Peppers and Garlic Sauce?
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.
