Chinese pepper steak with onions

 

🥩 Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions – Fast, Flavorful & Better Than Takeout

If you're craving a bold, savory stir-fry that's packed with tender beef, sweet onions, and crisp bell peppers — all coated in a rich, glossy sauce — this Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions is the perfect recipe to add to your weeknight dinner rotation.

This dish is a Chinese-American classic: quick to make, full of umami, and totally satisfying served over rice or noodles. It brings all the flavor of your favorite takeout, but with fresh ingredients you can feel good about.

---

🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• ✅ Quick & Easy – Ready in 30 minutes or less

• ✅ Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor

• ✅ Perfectly Balanced Sauce – Sweet, salty, and peppery

• ✅ Customizable – Use your favorite veggies or protein swaps

---

📝 Ingredients

• For the stir-fry:

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

  • 2 tbsp soy sauce (for marinating the beef)

  • 1 tbsp cornstarch

  • 1 tbsp oil (vegetable or sesame)

  • 1 large onion, sliced

  • 1–2 bell peppers, sliced (green and red are classic)

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper (more or less to taste)

• For the sauce:

  • ¼ cup soy sauce

  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional, for richness)

  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar or Shaoxing wine

  • 1 tbsp brown sugar

  • ½ cup beef broth or water

  • 1 tsp cornstarch (to thicken)

---

👨‍🍳 How to Make Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions

1. Marinate the Beef:
   In a bowl, toss the sliced beef with soy sauce and cornstarch. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes while you prep the other ingredients.

2. Make the Sauce:
   In a small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients, including the cornstarch. Set aside.

3. Stir-Fry the Beef:
   Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the beef in a single layer and sear until browned (about 2–3 minutes). Remove and set aside.

4. Cook the Veggies:
   In the same pan, add onions and peppers. Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until slightly softened but still crisp. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

5. Combine & Finish:
   Return the beef to the pan. Stir in the sauce and black pepper. Cook for 1–2 more minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens and everything is coated and hot.

6. Serve:
   Spoon over steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds if you like.

---

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

• Serve with jasmine or brown rice, or over lo mein noodles

• Add a side of steamed broccoli or egg rolls for a full meal

• Great with a drizzle of chili oil or sriracha if you like it spicy

---

🧊 Storage Tips

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days

• Reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth

• Freezer: You can freeze the cooked dish for up to 1 month — thaw and reheat gently

---

🥄 Tips & Variations

• Slice Beef Thinly: Freeze it for 20 minutes first — it makes slicing easier

• Swap the Protein: Try chicken, shrimp, or tofu

• Make it Low-Carb: Serve over cauliflower rice or skip the rice entirely

• Extra Crunch? Toss in snow peas or water chestnuts at the end

---

Final Thoughts

Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions is the kind of dish that tastes like it took hours — but only takes minutes. It’s savory, satisfying, and flexible enough to fit whatever you’ve got in the fridge. Once you try it, you'll realize it's way easier (and tastier) than waiting for delivery.

---

Give it a go, and bring the bold, sizzling flavors of your favorite Chinese takeout into your own kitchen.