Stir-Fried Popular Beef with Bell Peppers and Garlic
A quick, flavorful stir-fry combining tender beef strips with crunchy bell peppers and a savory garlic sauce that appeals to many. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs soy sauce, cornstarch, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 8 oz, thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch strips red bell pepper
- 1 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch strips yellow bell pepper
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, minced ginger
- 2, sliced green onions
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, toss 8 oz thinly sliced flank steak with 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated; set aside for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add marinated beef and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked; remove beef and set aside.
- Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil, then sauté 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 medium sliced red bell pepper and 1 medium sliced yellow bell pepper, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Step 5: Return beef to the wok, add 2 sliced green onions and 1/2 tsp black pepper, stir-frying everything together for another 2 minutes until beef is cooked through and flavors meld.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Popular 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 Popular 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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Popular 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 Popular Beef with Bell Peppers and Garlic for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Popular 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.
Related recipes
Stir-Fried Cantonese Beef with Oyster Sauce and Scallions
Stir-Fried Beef and Broccoli with Garlic-Black Pepper Sauce
Spicy Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers and Garlic
Stir-Fried Beef with Ginger and Scallions in Cantonese Style
Stir-Fried Beef with Turbo Chili Garlic Sauce
Sichuan Peppercorn Stir-Fried Beef with Garlic and Chilies
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
