Black Pepper Beef Stir Fry
Black Pepper Beef Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender strips of beef cooked in a bold black pepper sauce along with crisp, colorful vegetables. Ready in under 30 minutes, this savory stir fry offers a perfect balance of spicy heat, umami richness, and fresh textures, making it an ideal meal for busy weeknights or family dinners.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir Fry
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free (if tamari is used instead of soy sauce)
Beef and Marinade
- 300g sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced across the grain
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp vegetable or peanut oil
Sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp freshly cracked coarse ground black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
- 2 tbsp water or broth
- 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Vegetables
- 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Other
- 2 tbsp vegetable or peanut oil (for cooking)
- Prepare the Beef: Slice the beef thinly across the grain for tenderness. Marinate briefly with 1 tsp cornstarch, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp oil to enhance texture and flavor.
- Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, combine 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper, minced garlic, minced ginger, and 2 tbsp water or broth. Optionally, stir in 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with water to thicken.
- Cook the Vegetables: Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Sauté sliced onions and bell peppers until just tender yet still crisp, preserving their texture and sweetness.
- Stir Fry the Beef: Push the vegetables to one side of the pan. Add the marinated beef and stir fry over high heat until browned and cooked through but still juicy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Combine and Thicken: Pour the sauce over the beef and vegetables. Stir constantly and cook briefly until the sauce thickens slightly and coats everything with a glossy black pepper glaze.
Notes
- Use high heat to quickly sear the beef and lock in juices.
- Slicing beef thinly ensures faster cooking and tender results.
- Freshly cracked black pepper adds unmatched aroma and heat.
- Cut vegetables uniformly for even cooking and balanced bites.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if needed for best sear and texture.
- Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for added flavor and color.
- Serve with steamed jasmine rice, fried rice, cauliflower rice, or noodles.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen up to 2 months.
- Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water to maintain texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: black pepper beef, beef stir fry, quick beef recipe, Asian stir fry, gluten free beef stir fry, spicy beef dish, weeknight dinner