Chinese Pepper Steak with Onion!

🥩 Chinese Pepper Steak with Onion

🕒 Time

• Prep: 15 minutes

• Cook: 15 minutes

• Total: ~30 minutes

🍽 Servings

• 4 servings

🧾 Ingredients

Beef & Marinade

• 1 lb (450 g) flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp cornstarch

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp sugar (optional)

Vegetables

• 2 bell peppers (green or mix of colors), sliced

• 1 large onion, sliced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced (optional)

Sauce

• ½ cup beef broth

• 3 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp oyster sauce

• 1 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional but recommended)

• 1 tsp sugar

• 1 tsp cornstarch

• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper (key flavor)

Cooking

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Marinate the Beef

1. In a bowl, combine sliced beef with soy sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, black pepper, and sugar.

2. Let marinate for 10–15 minutes.

2️⃣ Mix the Sauce

• In a small bowl, whisk together beef broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sugar, cornstarch, and black pepper. Set aside.

3️⃣ Stir-Fry the Beef

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

2. Add beef in a single layer and sear 1–2 minutes per side until just browned.

3. Remove beef and set aside (do not overcook).

4️⃣ Cook Vegetables

1. Add remaining oil.

2. Stir-fry onion and bell peppers for 2–3 minutes until crisp-tender.

3. Add garlic and ginger; stir for 30 seconds.

5️⃣ Combine & Sauce

1. Return beef to the pan.

2. Pour in the sauce and toss everything together.

3. Cook 1–2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats evenly.

🍚 Serving Suggestions

• Serve hot over steamed white rice

• Also great with fried rice or lo mein

❓ Q & A

Q: What cut of beef works best?

Flank steak is classic. Sirloin, skirt steak, or flat iron also work well.

Q: How do I keep the beef tender?

• Slice against the grain

• Use cornstarch in the marinade

• Cook quickly over high heat

Q: Can I make it spicy?

Yes! Add:

• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

• Or 1 tsp chili garlic sauce

Q: Can I add more vegetables?

Absolutely:

• Mushrooms

• Snow peas

• Baby corn

Q: Is this authentic Chinese?

This is Chinese-American takeout–style pepper steak, which is different from traditional Chinese versions but very popular.

Q: How do I store leftovers?

• Refrigerate up to 3 days

• Reheat in a skillet or microwave with a splash of broth.