Stir-Fried Garlic Beef with Bell Peppers and Scallions

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

Tender strips of beef quickly stir-fried with garlic, bell peppers, and scallions in a savory sauce that balances sweet and umami flavors. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs flank steak, red bell pepper, green bell pepper 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.

★ 4.4 (9 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, toss 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tsp cornstarch, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp vegetable oil. Let marinate for 10 minutes while prepping vegetables.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add the marinated beef to the wok and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but still tender. Remove the beef and set aside.
  4. Step 4: In the same wok, add 1 julienned red bell pepper, 1 julienned green bell pepper, and 4 sliced scallions. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
  5. Step 5: Return the beef to the wok and add 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp brown sugar. Stir-fry everything together for another minute until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef and vegetables evenly. Serve hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Garlic Beef with Bell Peppers and Scallions 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 Garlic Beef with Bell Peppers and 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 flank steak from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Garlic Beef with Bell Peppers and 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 Garlic Beef with Bell Peppers and 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 Garlic Beef with Bell Peppers and 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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