Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions

Here’s a restaurant-style Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions — tender beef strips stir-fried with bell peppers and onions in a rich, garlicky soy sauce. 🥩🌶️✨

🥩 Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions

Ingredients (4 servings)

• 1 lb flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (for marinating beef)

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided)

• 1 large onion, sliced into wedges

• 2 bell peppers (red & green), sliced into strips

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (optional)

For the sauce:

• ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce

• ¼ cup beef broth (or water)

• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (adds depth, optional)

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry, for thickening)

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (balances saltiness)

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Marinate beef:

   • Toss sliced steak with 2 tbsp soy sauce + 1 tbsp cornstarch. Let sit 15 minutes.

2. Cook beef:

   • Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok or skillet over high heat.

   • Sear beef strips in batches until browned but not fully cooked through. Remove and set aside.

3. Stir-fry veggies:

   • In same pan, add 1 tbsp oil.

   • Stir-fry onion and peppers for 3–4 minutes until slightly tender-crisp.

   • Add garlic and ginger, stir 30 seconds.

4. Make sauce:

   • In a small bowl, whisk soy sauce, broth, oyster sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and black pepper.

   • Pour into pan with veggies. Bring to a simmer.

5. Combine & thicken:

   • Return beef to pan. Stir to coat.

   • Add cornstarch slurry and cook 1–2 minutes until sauce thickens and beef is fully cooked.

6. Serve:

   • Garnish with sesame seeds or green onions if desired.

   • Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.

✨ This dish is savory, slightly sweet, and full of umami flavor — just like takeout but fresher.