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Authentic Chinese Pepper Steak: A Flavorful Culinary Adventure

Chinese Pepper Steak
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A classic Chinese-American dish featuring tender strips of beef stir-fried with bell peppers in a savory, slightly sweet black pepper sauce. This restaurant-style recipe comes together quickly for a flavorful weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
    • 1 lb flank steak or sirloin (thinly sliced against the grain)
    • 2 bell peppers (1 green, 1 red, cut into strips)
    • 1 large onion (cut into wedges)
    • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
    • 1 tbsp fresh ginger (minced)
    • 2 tbsp vegetable oil (divided)
    • 1 tbsp cornstarch
    • 1 tbsp water
    • 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
    • 2 green onions (cut into 1-inch pieces)

 

    • For the marinade:
    • 2 tbsp soy sauce
    • 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
    • 1 tsp sugar
    • 1 tsp cornstarch
    • 1 tbsp water

 

  • For the sauce:
  • 3 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 tsp sesame oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare the beef: Combine beef with marinade ingredients and let sit for 15-20 minutes.
  2. Make the sauce: Whisk together all sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
  3. Stir-fry vegetables: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok over high heat. Add bell peppers and onion, stir-frying for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened. Remove and set aside.
  4. Cook the beef: Add remaining 1 tbsp oil to wok. Add beef in a single layer and sear for 1 minute undisturbed, then stir-fry until about 80% cooked (about 2 minutes). Remove beef.
  5. Combine everything: In the same wok, add garlic and ginger, stir-frying for 15 seconds until fragrant. Return beef and vegetables to wok. Add sauce and black pepper, tossing to coat. Thicken with cornstarch slurry if needed.
  6. Finish: Add green onions and stir-fry for another 30 seconds. Serve immediately over steamed rice.

Notes

  • Slice beef when partially frozen for easier thin slicing
  • For extra tender beef, add 1/2 tsp baking soda to marinade
  • Adjust black pepper to taste – authentic version should be quite peppery
  • Substitute chicken or tofu for variation
  • Use high heat and work quickly for best texture

Nutrition

Find it online: https://us.recipesfood.org/authentic-chinese-pepper-steak/

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