Stir-Fried Beijing Beef with Crispy Bell Peppers
Tender strips of beef stir-fried with crispy bell peppers in a tangy, slightly sweet soy-based sauce, inspired by popular Chinese takeout flavors. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 30 minutes pairs cornstarch, vegetable oil, minced garlic cloves 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
- 12 oz, thinly sliced into 1/4-inch strips flank steak
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium, sliced into thin strips red bell pepper
- 1 medium, sliced into thin strips green bell pepper
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, freshly grated ginger
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2, thinly sliced for garnish scallions
- 1/2 tsp (optional) red chili flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 12 oz of thinly sliced flank steak with 3 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated. Set aside for 5 minutes to let the coating adhere.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the coated beef strips in a single layer and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until browned and crisp on the edges; remove beef and set aside.
- Step 3: Add the remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the same pan. Toss in 1 medium sliced red bell pepper, 1 medium sliced green bell pepper, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until the peppers are tender-crisp and the aromatics are fragrant.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp hoisin sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water until the sugar dissolves.
- Step 5: Return the cooked beef to the pan along with the sauce mixture and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes if using. Stir everything together and cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef and vegetables.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 thinly sliced scallions over the top before serving hot with steamed rice or noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Beijing Beef with Crispy Bell Peppers 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 Stir-Fried Beijing Beef with Crispy Bell Peppers?
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 cornstarch from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Beijing Beef with Crispy Bell Peppers?
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 Beijing Beef with Crispy Bell Peppers 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 Beijing Beef with Crispy Bell Peppers?
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.
