Introduction:
Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions is one of those classic stir-fries that never goes out of style. It’s fast,
flavorful, and deeply satisfying—tender strips of beef, sweet onions, crisp bell peppers, and a shiny, savory sauce that
clings to every bite. If you’ve ever ordered pepper steak from a Chinese takeout spot, you already know the flavor profile:
salty-sweet, a little gingery, slightly garlicky, and absolutely perfect over a bowl of steamed rice.
The good news? You can make it at home in about 30 minutes, and it’s often better than takeout—fresher vegetables, more
control over salt and sweetness, and beef cooked exactly how you like it. The secret is a quick marinade (which also helps
tenderize) and a simple sauce thickened with cornstarch for that restaurant-style gloss.
This recipe is also extremely flexible. You can use flank steak, sirloin, or even ground beef in a pinch. You can add extra
veggies like mushrooms or snap peas, swap rice for noodles, or adjust the sauce to be sweeter, spicier, or more savory.
Once you learn the basic technique, you’ll be able to make variations endlessly.
Ingredients:
For the beef and marinade
- 1 lb (450g) flank steak, sirloin, or skirt steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional but delicious)
- 1 tsp neutral oil (optional, helps coat meat)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp baking soda (optional “restaurant tender” trick)
For the stir-fry
- 2 tbsp neutral oil (avocado, canola, vegetable)
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 bell peppers (green + red is classic), sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (or 1/2 tsp ground ginger)
- Optional: 1 cup sliced mushrooms
For the pepper steak sauce
- 1/2 cup beef broth (or water)
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce (adds deep savory flavor)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar or honey (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (slurry)
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper (pepper steak needs pepper!)
For serving
- Steamed jasmine rice or brown rice
- Cooked noodles (lo mein-style) if preferred
- Sliced green onions
- Toasted sesame seeds
