Stir-Fried Beef with Bell Peppers and Garlic
Juicy strips of beef stir-fried with colorful bell peppers and a savory garlic sauce, perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs minced garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 1 medium, sliced into thin strips red bell pepper
- 1 medium, sliced into thin strips green bell pepper
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp soy sauce in a bowl until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add the marinated beef strips and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until browned but still tender.
- Step 4: Add 1 sliced red bell pepper and 1 sliced green bell pepper to the wok, stir-frying for another 2 minutes until slightly softened but still crisp.
- Step 5: Mix 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1/4 cup water, and 1/2 tsp black pepper in a small bowl, then pour over the beef and peppers. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients evenly. Serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Beef 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 Stir-Fried Beef 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 minced garlic from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Beef 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 Stir-Fried Beef with Bell Peppers and Garlic 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 Stir-Fried Beef 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.
