Description
Hearty Chinese pepper steak delivers bold flavors with tender beef slices dancing through spicy, caramelized onions. Savory marinades and quick wok techniques bring restaurant-quality comfort straight to your kitchen table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) beef sirloin or flank steak
Vegetables:
- 1 large onion
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 green bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger
Marinade and Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Whisk together a zesty marinade using soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and sesame oil, ensuring smooth blending of ingredients.
- Submerge beef slices completely in the marinade, coating each piece thoroughly, and let rest for 15-30 minutes to enhance flavor absorption.
- Prepare a secondary sauce by combining soy sauce, hoisin sauce, black pepper, and cornstarch slurry in a separate bowl, setting aside for later use.
- Ignite a large skillet or wok over high heat, adding vegetable oil to create an intense cooking surface.
- Rapidly stir-fry onions and bell peppers for 2-3 minutes until slightly crisp and vibrant, then transfer to a holding plate.
- Introduce additional oil to the scorching skillet and carefully place marinated beef slices in a single layer.
- Sear beef for 1-2 minutes on each side, creating a caramelized exterior while maintaining tenderness.
- Quickly incorporate minced garlic and ginger, stirring for 30 seconds to release aromatic compounds.
- Reintroduce reserved vegetables to the skillet, combining with seared beef.
- Pour prepared sauce over the mixture, vigorously stir-frying for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens and uniformly coats ingredients.
- Transfer sizzling pepper steak to a serving platter over steamed rice or noodles.
- Optionally garnish with fresh green onions or toasted sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Boost marinade flavor by puncturing beef slices with fork to help seasonings penetrate deeper.
- Choose high-quality, thinly sliced beef like sirloin or flank steak for tender, quick-cooking results.
- Use extremely hot wok or skillet to achieve authentic wok-hei charred exterior without overcooking meat.
- Adapt recipe for gluten-sensitive diets by substituting regular soy sauce with tamari and using cornstarch alternative like arrowroot powder.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg