Wok-Fried Cantonese Beef with Oyster Sauce and Bell Peppers
Tender strips of beef wok-fried with colorful bell peppers and coated in a rich oyster sauce for a quick and flavorful main dish. This Chinese-inspired beef recipe, 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, thinly sliced against the grain flank steak
- 1 medium, sliced into thin strips red bell pepper
- 1 medium, sliced into thin strips green bell pepper
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, minced ginger
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 tbsp water
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2, sliced for garnish scallions
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak with 1 tsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp soy sauce until evenly coated; set aside for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, stir-frying for 20 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add the marinated beef slices to the wok in a single layer and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until just browned on the edges but still tender.
- Step 4: Add 1 sliced red bell pepper and 1 sliced green bell pepper to the wok. Stir-fry with the beef for 2 minutes until peppers are slightly softened but still crisp.
- Step 5: Pour in 2 tbsp oyster sauce and 3 tbsp water, tossing everything together and cooking for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and peppers.
- Step 6: Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the dish, stir to combine, then remove from heat. Garnish with 2 sliced scallions and serve immediately with steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Wok-Fried Cantonese Beef with Oyster Sauce and Bell Peppers 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 Wok-Fried Cantonese Beef with Oyster Sauce and 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 from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Wok-Fried Cantonese Beef with Oyster Sauce and 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 Wok-Fried Cantonese Beef with Oyster Sauce and Bell Peppers 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 Wok-Fried Cantonese Beef with Oyster Sauce and 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.
