Description
This Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions is a flavorful stir-fry dish featuring tender sirloin steak strips cooked with crisp bell peppers and onions in a savory, slightly sweet sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and aromatic ginger and garlic. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it pairs wonderfully with steamed rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 pound sirloin steak
Marinade and Sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion
- 1 medium bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger (grated)
Other
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Slice the steak: Slice the sirloin steak into thin strips against the grain to ensure tenderness when cooked.
- Marinate the steak: Place the steak strips in a bowl, add soy sauce, and mix evenly to coat. Then sprinkle cornstarch over the steak and toss to combine, helping to tenderize and thicken the sauce later.
- Prepare aromatics: Peel and finely chop the garlic cloves. Peel and grate the ginger to release their flavors.
- Cut vegetables: Cut the onion in half, remove the outer skin, and slice into thin strips. Remove stem and seeds from the bell pepper and slice into thin strips as well.
- Heat the pan: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, then add vegetable oil and swirl to coat the bottom.
- Cook the steak: Add the steak strips in a single layer to the hot oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until the steak begins to brown. Transfer the cooked steak to a plate and set aside.
- Stir-fry vegetables: In the same pan, add sliced onion and bell pepper. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften.
- Add aromatics and cook: Add the garlic and grated ginger to the vegetables. Stir together and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Make the sauce: Pour beef broth into the pan and bring it to a simmer. Add oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and black pepper. Stir well to combine into a savory sauce.
- Combine steak and sauce: Return the cooked steak to the pan. Toss the steak and vegetables in the sauce, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats everything evenly.
- Serve: Serve the Chinese pepper steak hot alongside steamed rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- For the best texture, always slice steak against the grain.
- Adjust sugar in the sauce to taste for more or less sweetness.
- You can substitute sirloin with flank or skirt steak if preferred.
- Use a wok or a large skillet to allow even cooking and tossing of ingredients.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the steak tender and the vegetables crisp.
