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Black Pepper Beef Stir Fry

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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)

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

Keywords: black pepper beef, beef stir fry, quick beef recipe, Asian stir fry, gluten free beef stir fry, spicy beef dish, weeknight dinner