Whiskey-Glazed Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers
Tender strips of beef and colorful bell peppers tossed in a savory whiskey-infused glaze for an exciting twist on a classic stir fry. This asian fusion-inspired beef ready in about 30 minutes pairs flank steak, thinly sliced, soy sauce, whiskey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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
- 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp whiskey
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp whiskey, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp grated ginger, and 3 minced garlic cloves to make the glaze.
- Step 2: Toss 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tsp cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned but not fully cooked. Remove beef and set aside.
- Step 4: Add the sliced red and green bell peppers (1 medium each) to the wok and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.
- Step 5: Return the beef to the wok along with the whiskey glaze and 2 tbsp water. Stir-fry everything together for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and peppers. Serve hot over rice or noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Whiskey-Glazed Beef Stir Fry with 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 Whiskey-Glazed Beef Stir Fry with 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 flank steak, thinly sliced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Whiskey-Glazed Beef Stir Fry with 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 Whiskey-Glazed Beef Stir Fry with 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 Whiskey-Glazed Beef Stir Fry with Bell Peppers?
Asian Fusion 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.