A super easy dinner recipe with Asian flare made from stir-fried beef, fresh bell peppers and onions served over rice.
JUMP TO RECIPEWhen I can cook an entrée in less time than it takes me to cook a small pot of rice, I am one happy mama!
This is a dish I grew up eating which, now that I think about it, seems odd considering I grew up waaaaaay out the country in the middle of the Deep South.
We didn't make this with Chinese take-out in mind, we made this to use up all the peppers that our gardens were pumping out.
While I don’t necessarily think of this as “Chinese food”, you can certainly nudge it closer in that direction by adding more ginger and a little brown sugar or honey to the sauce when you mix it up.
The version of this I grew up eating didn't have soy sauce or ground ginger in it but I really like the little bit of Asian zing they add so I make my pepper steak with both.
I made a note of this in the recipe below but if you’re planning to serve this with rice (which you 100% should) you better get that rice going before you start cooking your pepper steak because this dish comes together quickly!
We used to always make it with a cornstarch slurry but I started using a brown gravy mix because it adds just a little more beefy flavor (and that’s all gravy mixes really are: cornstarch and bullion).
If you want enough to sauce to cover your rice like gravy, double the sauce recipe!
I almost always do because rice and gravy go together like sugar and ice tea to us Southerners.
If you’re looking for something quick and easy for weeknight meals, you’ll love this one! Don’t look at the ingredient list and think it’s too much.
Most of the ingredients in the sauce are the same things you use on the steak, I just separated them into two sections to make things easier to follow!
INGREDIENTS FOR MAKING PEPPER STEAK
- Sirloin or bottom round steak
- Red & green bell peppers
- Onion
- Garlic
- Black pepper
- Brown gravy mix
- Soy sauce
- Ground ginger (optional)
NOTES ABOUT MAKING PEPPER STEAK
If you'd like enough sauce to make a gravy for the rice, double the sauce ingredients.
If you’re planning to serve this with rice, get your rice cooking before you start cooking the steak as it cooks pretty quickly!
Use whichever bell peppers you prefer (green, red or yellow). I like one each green and red but have used every combo under the sun.
Recipe for Pepper Steak
Pepper Steak
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs. sirloin or bottom round steak
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil
- 1 red pepper
- 1 green pepper
- 1 large onion
- 5-6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet brown gravy mix
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (can omit or add more to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup cold water
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
Instructions
- Read recipe notes before beginning.
- Slice steak into 1/4-inch strips then toss with soy sauce and black pepper. You can cook this strait away or let it marinate up to 8 hours.
- Chop peppers and onion into 1-inch pieces; set aside.
- Add just enough vegetable oil to a large skillet to coat the bottom. Heat over high heat until very hot. Add one layer of beef strips to skillet then sauté until nicely browned. Remove from skillet then repeat this process until all beef is browned and set aside.
- Coat the bottom of the pan with a little more vegetable oil, reduce heat to medium-high then add chopped peppers and onions then sauté for 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and continue cooking for 2 minutes.
- Combine sauce ingredients and mix well. Add sauce and browned beef strips (with any rendered juices) to skillet. Cook and stir until sauce has thickened and peppers are tender.
Notes
- If you'd like enough sauce to make a gravy for the rice, double the sauce ingredients.
- If you’re planning to serve this with rice, get your rice cooking before you start cooking the steak as it cooks pretty quickly!
- Use whichever bell peppers you prefer (green, red or yellow). I like one each green and red but have used every combo under the sun.
This looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteVicky
Cooking this for my Sunday's dinner.
ReplyDeleteMy mom used to make pepper steak similar to this, but she'd add a can of chop suey vegetables with. This sounds yummy and so easy to make. I'll have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteOh my god… It looks so tasty!!!
ReplyDelete- Json Converter
I would have never thought about using a package of brown gravy! Great idea! Looking forward to making this. :)
ReplyDeleteI made this tonight! It was delicious, but peppery. If you don't like too much pepper flavor, I would cut back on the pepper. I doubled the sauce and also added a can of water chestnuts, baby corn and snow peas.
ReplyDeleteI made this and added tomato wedges! Delicious! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteThat's the way its made in St Louis with tomato wedges. Most Chinese restaurants in St Louis make it that way.
DeleteI was very pleased with how this turned out! I did season my beef a little more by adding a little salt, pepper, and steak seasoning. I will not use frozen already sliced peppers again (my choice, not the recipes) as I felt they became a little too soft.
ReplyDeleteThis was really good! I will be making this again! Next time maybe some chilli flakes.
ReplyDeleteI love your placemats...where did you get them?
ReplyDeleteThank you! I *think* I got these at World Market but I've had them so long I'm really not sure :)
Deletethis is one of my favorite dishes I like a little burgundy wine in my sauce, your looks great you just inspired me on dinner tonight. Good Job
ReplyDeleteChef Ernie
Love it!!!!!Total success!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is fabulous! One of the best things I have made this year. I cut the recipe in half, serving two people, made it just like the recipe. I used the option of more ginger and a bit of sugar for a more Asian flavor. I did add some carrot and broccoli, (always trying to get hubby to eat more veg). I added a bit of Siracha to my portion, and a dusting of 5 spice powder. It was wonderful-definitely will make again and again. I will try the tomato wedges next time too.
ReplyDeleteAMAZING!!!!! The only thing I did different is season my meat and then marinated it in the soy sauce for 6 hours. I seasoned my meat with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, 1/2 tsp of garlic powder and a 1/2 tsp of onion powder and then let it marinated it!!! This will be on rotation. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteDelicious!!! The family loved this. I actually used venison loin and my Instant Pot, but followed your recipe.
ReplyDeleteMandy, I've made this so many times because it is so delicious. I just highlighted your recipe on my YouTube channel, A Country Life. Check it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcLaB-8BOm8
ReplyDeleteI made this for dinner tonight it was delicious. I added a small amount of red pepper flakes and think I'll cut back on the black pepper next time. I also made your Coca cola poke cake for dessert love your recipes!
ReplyDeleteThe best pepper steak recipe I've tasted. This is delicious. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis steak is divine. Thanks for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteI made this tonight. The dish was delicious. Thanks for this wonderful recipe.
ReplyDeleteI love recipes that are simple and family friendly like this one! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI never post on food blogs, but for once I am! This was such a great meal, I truly enjoyed it. Easy to make, easy on the budget, and FULL of flavor. Thanks so much for keeper!
ReplyDeleteNow you have my mouth watering!! I love peppers and steak together!
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! I added fresh ginger with the garlic and added green onions and sugar snap peas too! Little sugar at the end to taste. Thanks a bunch!!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of our favorite meals - the flavors are incredible!!
ReplyDeleteWe love pepper steak for dinner and it is the perfect way to enjoy all of those garden fresh peppers! Thanks for the easy recipe!
ReplyDeleteLooks amazing, Mandy! Our family loves Asian inspired dishes! Thanks for sharing on Weekend Potluck!
ReplyDeleteI made this for dinner tonight (I followed your recipe exactly, except I used refrigerated minced garlic in the sauce instead of sauteeing fresh minced garlic with the peppers), and we really enjoyed it! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe!
ReplyDeleteThis pepper steak turned out perfect!! Took my friend a bowl and she loved it. So easy to make and I did make extra gravy!! This is the perfect meal any time!
ReplyDeleteI made this for dinner tonight and it turned out perfect! Very easy prep and so delicious! I recommend to everyone who wants a tasty meal! I served with rice! Took my friend a bowl and she loved this!
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