Chinese Pepper Steak With Onions

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🥩 Chinese Pepper Steak With Onions

Savory • Tender • Stir-Fried • Takeout-Style

⏱ Ready in: 20–25 minutes

👥 Serves: 3–4

⭐ Difficulty: Easy

🌟 Ingredients

For the Beef

  • 1 lb (450 g) flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp oil
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda (optional — makes beef super tender)

Vegetables

  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 1–2 green bell peppers, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper (optional, adds sweetness)
  • 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ginger, minced (optional)

Sauce

  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp hoisin (optional for sweetness)
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar or Chinese black vinegar
  • 1 cup beef broth or water
  • 1 tsp sugar (or sweetener)
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp water = slurry)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • Black pepper to taste (plenty — it’s pepper steak!)

For Cooking

  • 1–2 tbsp oil (high-heat: canola, peanut, vegetable)

🥣 Instructions

1. Marinate the beef

  1. Slice beef against the grain into thin strips.
  2. Mix with soy sauce, cornstarch, oil, and (optional) baking soda.
  3. Let sit 10–15 minutes to tenderize.

2. Mix the sauce

  1. In a bowl, combine:
    • Soy sauce
    • Oyster sauce
    • Hoisin (optional)
    • Vinegar
    • Sugar
    • Beef broth
    • Sesame oil
    • Black pepper
  2. Set aside.
  3. Stir in the cornstarch slurry right before using.

3. Cook the beef

  1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok or pan over high heat.
  2. Add beef and stir-fry 2–3 minutes until about 80% cooked.
  3. Remove and set aside.

4. Sauté onions & peppers

  1. Add a little more oil to the pan.
  2. Stir-fry garlic + ginger for 10 seconds.
  3. Add onions + bell peppers.
  4. Stir-fry 2–3 minutes until crisp-tender.

5. Combine and sauce

  1. Return the beef to the wok.
  2. Pour in the sauce mixture.
  3. Stir and simmer 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats everything.

6. Serve

  1. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.
  2. Optional: garnish with sesame seeds or green onions.

⭐ Tips for Perfect Pepper Steak

  • Freeze beef 20 minutes before slicing for paper-thin pieces.
  • High heat is key for real wok flavor.
  • Use dark soy sauce for deeper color.
  • Baking soda in the marinade = restaurant-style tender beef.

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