Description
Pepper Steak and Onions is a flavorful stir-fry dish featuring tender sirloin tips cooked with colorful bell peppers, onions, and aromatic spices in a savory soy and oyster sauce-based blend. This quick and easy recipe delivers a classic and vibrant Asian-inspired meal perfect for weeknight dinners served over rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons (10ml) soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons (15ml) oyster sauce
- ½ cup (120ml) chicken stock
- 1 cup (240ml) water
- 2 tablespoons (20g) cornstarch
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound (450g) boneless sirloin tips
- salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) cooking oil
- 2 large bell peppers (red and green)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-2 teaspoons (2-4g) paprika
- 1 teaspoon (1g) minced ginger
- 1-2 teaspoons (3-5g) Creole Cajun seasoning, salt-free (optional)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1-2 green onions, chopped
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) hot sauce (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, chicken stock, water, and cornstarch. Stir well to dissolve the cornstarch and set the sauce mixture aside.
- Season the beef: In another bowl, season the sirloin tips with a little salt and optionally some soy or oyster sauce to enhance flavor.
- Cook the beef: Heat a wok or saucepan over medium-high heat and add about a tablespoon of cooking oil. Add the beef and let it sear undisturbed for about 30 seconds to develop a crust, then stir and continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes or until the beef reaches your desired level of doneness. Remove the beef from the pan and keep it warm.
- Stir-fry the vegetables and spices: In the same wok or pan, add the chopped bell peppers and onion. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp. Add the minced garlic, paprika, ginger, and Creole Cajun seasoning if using, and stir-fry everything together for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant and vegetables are cooked through.
- Add the sauce and combine: Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the pan and cook, stirring continuously for about 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the vegetables.
- Finish the dish: Return the cooked beef to the pan, stir well to combine and heat through. Remove from heat once everything is well incorporated.
- Serve: Serve the pepper steak and onions over steamed rice. Garnish with chopped green onions and add hot sauce to taste if desired.
Notes
- Using a wok is ideal for stir-frying as it evenly cooks the meat and vegetables quickly. If unavailable, a cast iron skillet works well but avoid non-stick pans as they can lead to uneven cooking.
- You can opt for a single color bell pepper or use multiple colors for added visual appeal and flavor complexity.
- Adjust the thickness of the sauce to your preference by varying the amount of cornstarch.
- Reduce added salt if using a Creole Cajun seasoning that is not salt-free. Always taste and adjust seasoning accordingly.
- This recipe can be gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce and oyster sauce alternatives.
- Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredient brands and quantities used.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg