Craving that savory, tender pepper steak you love from your favorite Chinese restaurant? You’re in luck! This Pepper Steak Chinese Food recipe brings that classic dish right to your kitchen, and it’s easier to make than you might think. Packed with juicy beef, vibrant bell peppers, and sweet onions, all coated in a rich, flavorful brown sauce, this stir-fry is destined to become a new family favorite. While the ingredient preparation takes a bit of time, the actual cooking process is surprisingly quick. With a little organization, you’ll have a restaurant-quality pepper steak ready to serve over steamed rice in under 30 minutes!
Choosing the Best Beef for Pepper Steak Stir-Fry
Selecting the right cut of beef is crucial for achieving that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness in your pepper steak. Steer clear of pre-cut “stir-fry beef” from the grocery store, as these are often tough and lack flavor. For the best pepper steak Chinese food, consider these top beef cuts:
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Flank Steak: Often hailed as the gold standard for stir-fries, flank steak delivers both incredible tenderness (when sliced correctly against the grain) and a robust beefy flavor. It’s our top choice for recipes like this pepper steak and beef and broccoli. The only potential drawback is its higher price point compared to other options.
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London Broil (Top Round Steak/Roast): If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly alternative, London Broil is an excellent choice. It’s easy to slice and offers good flavor, but it’s leaner than flank steak. This means it can be slightly drier and benefits from a longer marinating time to tenderize.
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Chuck Steak or Roast: For the most economical option, chuck steak or roast is a surprisingly good pick. Known for its use in pot roasts, chuck steak, when well-marbled with fat, can become incredibly tender when properly prepared. It does require more prep work and a longer marinating time to tenderize, as detailed in our guide on how to prepare beef for stir-fry, but the results can rival more expensive cuts like flank steak at nearly half the cost.
The Secret to Tender Pepper Steak: Velveting Your Beef
Have you ever made beef stir-fry at home only to be disappointed by tough, chewy beef? You’re not alone! Many home cooks wonder why their pepper steak doesn’t achieve the same tenderness as their favorite Chinese restaurant dishes.
The secret weapon is velveting the beef. This simple technique, which involves marinating the beef with specific ingredients before cooking, transforms even tougher cuts into incredibly tender morsels. You’ll notice our pepper steak Chinese food recipe includes detailed velveting instructions. These extra steps are not time-consuming and make a world of difference in the final texture of your dish.
For a deeper dive into selecting and preparing beef for stir-fries, be sure to check out our popular post on How to Velvet Beef. While the general velveting principles are similar, the specific directions in this pepper steak recipe are tailored for optimal results.
Key Ingredients for Authentic Pepper Steak Chinese Food
To truly capture the authentic flavors of pepper steak Chinese food, using high-quality Chinese pantry staples is essential. Look for trusted brands of Chinese soy sauces, oyster sauce, and Shaoxing wine. These ingredients are the foundation of the savory, umami-rich flavor profile that defines this dish.
Don’t worry if you can’t find every single ingredient immediately. There are some substitutions you can make without sacrificing too much flavor. For example, dry cooking sherry can be used as a substitute for Shaoxing wine. If you’re missing dark soy sauce, explore dark soy sauce substitutions for suitable alternatives.
Oyster sauce is a must-have ingredient in pepper steak and many other Chinese stir-fries. It adds a depth of savory flavor that is hard to replicate. We consider it one of our 10 essential Chinese pantry ingredients. We recommend Lee Kum Kee Premium Oyster Sauce, but for those who are gluten-free, they also offer a gluten-free version with a green panda label.
For the sauce base, we highly recommend using low sodium chicken stock. While beef broth might seem like the obvious choice, chicken stock actually adds a more nuanced and complex flavor dimension to the pepper steak sauce.
While a wok is ideal for achieving that signature “wok hei” flavor, you can certainly make delicious pepper steak using a large skillet. The key is to use high heat and work quickly.
Finally, to thicken the sauce, our recipe calls for cornstarch. However, potato starch or tapioca starch are also excellent gluten-free alternatives that will work equally well.
Now, let’s get cooking!
Pepper Steak Chinese Food Recipe Instructions: Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps to create a fantastic pepper steak Chinese food dish at home.
Step 1: Prepare the Beef – The Velveting Process
Begin by slicing your chosen beef cut into 3-inch (7.5cm) long strips, about ⅛” to ¼” (4-5mm) thick. Slicing is easier when the beef is partially frozen and firm. For velveting, in a medium bowl, combine the sliced beef with water, cornstarch, oil, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, and baking soda. Mix thoroughly to ensure the beef is evenly coated.
Let the beef marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or for even better tenderness, marinate overnight in the refrigerator. Longer marinating times are particularly beneficial for tougher cuts like London broil or chuck roast.
Step 2: Whip Up the Pepper Steak Sauce
In a separate bowl, prepare the flavorful pepper steak sauce. Whisk together chicken stock, cornstarch, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and white pepper until well combined. Set the sauce aside, ready to be added to the wok later.
Step 3: Prep Your Vegetables
Cut the bell peppers and onion into uniform 1-inch (2.5cm) pieces. Alternatively, you can slice them into thin strips if you prefer. The important thing is to ensure the pepper and onion pieces are roughly the same size for even cooking.
Step 4: Quickly Sear the Beef
Heat your wok or large skillet over high heat until it’s smoking hot. Add 1 tablespoon of neutral oil to coat the cooking surface. Sear the marinated beef in batches, about 30 seconds per side, until lightly browned but not fully cooked. This searing step adds flavor and helps to lock in the juices. Return all the seared beef to the marinating bowl and set aside. The beef should be approximately 80% cooked at this stage.
Step 5: Stir-Fry the Vegetables and Finish the Dish
Reduce the heat to medium-high. Add the remaining tablespoon of neutral oil to the wok. If using ginger, add it now and stir-fry for about 10 seconds until fragrant. Then, add the chopped garlic, bell peppers, and onions to the wok.
Stir-fry the vegetables for about 1 minute, until they are slightly tender-crisp.
Add the seared beef, along with any accumulated juices from the bowl, to the wok with the vegetables. Stir-fry for another 15 seconds to combine everything.
Increase the heat back to high. Give the prepared sauce a quick stir to re-incorporate the cornstarch (as it may settle at the bottom). Pour the sauce into the wok over the beef and vegetables.
Stir-fry continuously until the sauce thickens and coats all the ingredients beautifully. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can thin it out with a little more chicken stock or water. Conversely, if the sauce is too thin, continue to cook it down until it reaches your desired consistency.
Once the sauce has thickened to your liking and is simmering, your pepper steak Chinese food is ready to serve! Transfer it to a serving plate and enjoy immediately with steamed white rice.
Pepper Steak Recipe
This pepper steak recipe delivers a quick and easy stir-fry featuring tender beef, colorful peppers, and sweet onions in a savory brown sauce. It’s a must-try Chinese restaurant classic, perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal!
Prep time: 45 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
For the Beef Marinade:
- 12 ounces flank steak, London broil, or chuck roast
- 1 1/2 tablespoons water
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons neutral oil
- 2 teaspoons oyster sauce
- 2 teaspoons Shaoxing wine
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
For the Pepper Steak Stir-Fry:
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 1/2 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/8 teaspoon white pepper, or to taste
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1 medium onion
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil
- 1/2 teaspoon minced ginger (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
Instructions:
- Prepare the Beef: Slice the beef into 3-inch strips, ⅛” to ¼” thick. Marinate with water, cornstarch, oil, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, and baking soda for at least 30 minutes.
- Make the Sauce: Whisk together chicken stock, cornstarch, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, light and dark soy sauces, sugar, sesame oil, and white pepper.
- Prep Vegetables: Cut bell peppers and onion into 1-inch pieces.
- Sear Beef: Heat wok over high heat, add 1 tbsp oil, and sear beef for 30 seconds per side. Set aside.
- Stir-fry Dish: Reduce heat to medium-high, add remaining oil, ginger (if using), garlic, bell peppers, and onions. Stir-fry for 1 minute.
- Combine and Thicken: Add beef and juices to wok. Stir-fry for 15 seconds. Increase heat to high, add sauce, and stir-fry until thickened.
- Serve: Serve hot over steamed rice and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions and Pepper Steak Variations
Pepper steak Chinese food is traditionally served hot over fluffy steamed white rice. However, it’s also delicious with brown rice, noodles, or quinoa. For a complete meal, consider pairing it with a side of stir-fried vegetables like bok choy or Chinese broccoli, or a refreshing cucumber salad.
Want to customize your pepper steak? Here are a few delicious variations:
- Mushroom Pepper Steak: Add sliced mushrooms (button, shiitake, or cremini) along with the bell peppers and onions for an earthier flavor.
- Spicy Pepper Steak: Incorporate a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of chili oil into the sauce for a touch of heat. You can also add sliced fresh chili peppers during the vegetable stir-fry stage.
- Garlic Lover’s Pepper Steak: Double the amount of garlic for a more intense garlic flavor.
- Extra Vegetable Pepper Steak: Add other stir-fry friendly vegetables like snap peas, carrots, or broccoli florets to boost the nutritional value and visual appeal.
Conclusion: Enjoy Restaurant-Quality Pepper Steak at Home
With this recipe, you can easily create delicious, tender pepper steak Chinese food right in your own kitchen. By choosing the right cut of beef, mastering the velveting technique, and using authentic Chinese pantry staples, you’ll be amazed at how closely your homemade dish rivals your favorite restaurant version. Gather your ingredients, follow our step-by-step instructions, and get ready to enjoy a flavorful and satisfying pepper steak stir-fry that the whole family will love! Happy cooking!
