Pepper Steak Recipe
This pepper steak recipe is a quick and flavorful dish made with tender slices of beef, colorful bell peppers, and a savory sauce that comes together in minutes. Popular in Chinese-style cooking as well as many home-style variations, pepper steak is known for its bold flavor, simple preparation, and versatility. Whether you are looking for an easy pepper steak recipe for weeknight dinners or a classic homemade version similar to takeout, this dish delivers satisfying results with minimal effort.
Pepper steak typically uses thinly sliced flank steak, sirloin, or round steak cooked quickly over high heat. The combination of peppers and onions creates a balanced texture and flavor, while the sauce brings everything together with a rich, slightly savory finish. This recipe can also be adapted into a crock pot pepper steak recipe, slow cooker version, or even an instant pot meal depending on your preference.

Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, divided
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1¼ pounds flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1½ tablespoons sugar
- 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
- Optional: sliced onions or mushrooms
Instructions
- Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the bell peppers and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly tender, then remove from the pan and set aside.
- Add the remaining oil to the pan and increase heat to high. Season the steak with salt and pepper, then cook for 5 to 6 minutes until browned.
- Add garlic and ginger and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Return the peppers to the pan and stir to combine.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sugar, water, and cornstarch.
- Pour the sauce over the steak mixture and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.

Preparation Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
Tips for the Best Pepper Steak
Slice the steak thinly against the grain to keep the meat tender. Partially freezing the beef for about 20 minutes before slicing makes this easier. Use high heat to achieve a quick sear without overcooking the meat. Red, yellow, or orange peppers add sweetness, while green peppers provide a slightly sharper flavor. For a pepper steak recipe with gravy, increase the sauce slightly and simmer a little longer until thicker.
This homemade pepper steak recipe is flexible enough to adapt into a chinese pepper steak recipe, old fashioned pepper steak recipe, or even a mushroom pepper steak recipe by adding your favorite vegetables and adjusting seasoning to taste.
