Stir-Fried Chinese Black Pepper Beef with Scallions

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender strips of beef are stir-fried with aromatic black pepper and fresh scallions, creating a flavorful and quick Chinese dish perfect for weeknight dinners. This Chinese-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs beef sirloin, scallions, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 12 oz thinly sliced beef sirloin with 1 tbsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp water until evenly coated; set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and 1 tbsp minced ginger, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add the beef mixture and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper to the wok, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until the beef is browned and cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce and 3 tbsp water, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
  5. Step 5: Add 4 stalks sliced scallions and 1 tsp sesame oil, tossing everything together for 30 seconds. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Chinese Black Pepper Beef with Scallions take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 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 Chinese Black Pepper Beef with Scallions?

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 beef sirloin from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Chinese Black Pepper Beef with Scallions?

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 Chinese Black Pepper Beef with Scallions 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 Chinese Black Pepper Beef with Scallions?

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.

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