Stir-Fried Beef with Chili and Bell Pepper
Quickly stir-fried tender beef strips with vibrant bell peppers and a spicy chili sauce for a bold, popular Asian-inspired meal. This asian-inspired beef ready in about 23 minutes pairs thinly sliced flank steak, small, thinly sliced red chili, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, thinly sliced flank steak
- 1 medium, sliced into strips red bell pepper
- 1 medium, sliced into strips green bell pepper
- 1 small, thinly sliced red chili
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, toss 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak with 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp cornstarch until well combined; set aside to marinate for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 small thinly sliced red chili; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 3: Add marinated beef to the wok in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the edges start to brown.
- Step 4: Add 1 medium sliced red bell pepper and 1 medium sliced green bell pepper; stir-fry for 2 more minutes until peppers are just tender but still crisp.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp water and 1 tbsp sesame oil; cook for another minute until sauce thickens and coats the beef and vegetables. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Beef with Chili and Bell Pepper take to make?
Total time is about 23 minutes (15 min prep + 8 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 Chili and Bell Pepper?
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 flank steak from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Beef with Chili and Bell Pepper?
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 Chili and Bell Pepper 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 Stir-Fried Beef with Chili and Bell Pepper?
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.
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