Spicy Stir-Fried Beef with Bell Peppers and Ginger
Tender strips of beef stir-fried with colorful bell peppers and fresh ginger, tossed in a spicy, savory sauce. This asian-inspired beef ready in about 27 minutes pairs sirloin steak, thinly sliced, fresh ginger, minced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz sirloin steak, thinly sliced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp water
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix 12 oz thinly sliced sirloin steak with 1 tsp cornstarch and 2 tbsp soy sauce. Set aside for 10 minutes to marinate.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same pan, add 2 tsp sesame oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 sliced red bell pepper and 1 sliced green bell pepper to the pan. Stir-fry for 3 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.
- Step 5: Return the beef to the pan. Add 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce, and 3 tbsp water. Stir everything together and cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and peppers.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving hot over steamed rice or noodles.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Stir-Fried Beef with Bell Peppers and Ginger take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Ginger?
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 sirloin steak, thinly sliced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Stir-Fried Beef with Bell Peppers and Ginger?
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 Ginger 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 Stir-Fried Beef with Bell Peppers and Ginger?
Asian 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Amazingly quick and flavorful. Made it for date night and it was a hit.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! My family devoured this in minutes. The ginger and peppers were perfect.
- ★★★★☆
The beef was a bit chewy, but the flavors were spot on. Will make again with a different cut.