Pepper Steak with Onion Stir Fry

Looking for an easy beef stir fry for weeknights? This Pepper Steak with Onion Stir Fry is savory, flavorful, and quick to make! Tender marinated beef is stir-fried with crisp peppers and onions, then finished with a simple oyster sauce for a delicious dinner that's perfect with rice.

Jump to:

• About the ingredients
• How to cook Pepper Steak with Onion Stir Fry
• Storage & Reheating
• FAQ
• Pepper Steak with Onion Stir Fry Recipe
• More Delicious Beef Stir Fry Recipes
• Pin for later!
• Want to learn more?

This is also a really flexible stir fry. You can use bell peppers for a classic version, jalapeños for more heat, or even poblano peppers if that's what you have on hand.

About the ingredients

Here are a few tips to help you make the best pepper steak stir fry.

Beef

For stir fry, I recommend using a tender cut of beef such as:

• Flank steak
• Sirloin
• Ribeye
• New York strip

Flank steak and sirloin are usually more budget-friendly, while ribeye and New York strip make the dish a little richer.

You can cut the beef into strips, thin slices, or even bite-sized pieces. If slicing, cut against the grain whenever possible. This shortens the muscle fibers and helps keep the beef tender.

The beef is also marinated with soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, cornstarch, and a little sugar, which adds flavor and helps keep it juicy while stir-frying.

Peppers

You can use several different kinds of peppers depending on the flavor you want.

Bell peppers:
These are the classic choice. Green bell peppers have a slightly more bitter, grassy flavor, while red, yellow, and orange peppers are sweeter. You can also use a mix for more color.

Jalapeños:
Great if you want the dish spicy. Remove the seeds for less heat or leave them in for more.

Poblano peppers:
These work really well too and have a mild, earthy flavor. I actually made this recipe with poblano peppers recently when the grocery store was somehow out of both bell peppers and jalapeños! Here it is:

Feel free to use whatever peppers you like.

Onions

Yellow or white onions both work well in this recipe.

Yellow onions have a balanced flavor and become slightly sweet when cooked. White onions are a little sharper and more pungent.

Sweet onions are another good option if you prefer a milder flavor.

You can cut the onions into chunks or slice them thinly depending on the texture you prefer.

Oyster Sauce

Oyster sauce adds savory-sweet umami flavor and gives the stir fry a glossy finish.

If you don't have oyster sauce, you can substitute:

• Vegetarian oyster sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Thick soy sauce or soy paste
• Soy sauce mixed with a small pinch of sugar and a little cornstarch

I actually use vegetarian oyster sauce pretty often because I really like the mushroom-based flavor.

Sesame oil

Sesame oil adds a fragrant, nutty flavor to the marinade.

Since it is also an oil, it helps coat the beef and keeps it from drying out while cooking.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is one of my favorite ingredients for stir fry marinades.

It creates a light coating around the beef that helps keep the meat tender and juicy during high-heat cooking. It also helps the marinade cling to the beef.

How to cook Pepper Steak with Onion Stir Fry

First gather your ingredients:

• 1 lb beef, cut into strips, cubes, or thin slices
• 4 oz peppers of choice
• 4 oz onion
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon sliced fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 2 scallions, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• For the Marinade:
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon sugar

Prep the ingredients:
Slice, cube, or strip the beef as desired. Cut peppers and onions to your preferred shape (chunks or slices). Slice scallions and ginger; mince garlic.

Marinate the beef:
In a bowl or zip-top bag, combine beef with soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, rice wine, and sugar. Let marinate for at least 15-30 minutes (up to 24 hours in the fridge if prepping ahead).

Cook the beef:
Heat oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add sliced ginger and marinated beef. Stir-fry until mostly browned. Remove from pan and set aside.

Stir-fry the veggies:
Add a little more oil if needed. Stir-fry garlic, peppers, and onions for 2-3 minutes until just tender but still crisp.

Bring it all together:
Return the beef to the pan, add scallions and oyster sauce. Stir-fry everything together for 1-2 more minutes until beef is cooked through and well coated in sauce.

Serve: Remove from heat and serve! Enjoy!

Storage & Reheating

Storage:

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked stir fry for up to 2 months - though peppers and onions may soften a bit after thawing.

Reheating:

• Stovetop (best): Heat a splash of oil in a skillet or wok over medium heat. Add leftovers and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.
• Microwave: Place in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-45 second intervals, stirring between bursts, until hot.
• If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

FAQ

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can slice the beef, chop the vegetables, and mix the marinade ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge for up to 24 hours, then stir-fry when ready.

What can I serve with Pepper Steak Stir Fry?
It pairs perfectly with steamed white rice, brown rice, fried rice, or cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option.

Can I use chicken or pork instead of beef?
Absolutely! Thinly sliced chicken breast, chicken thigh, or pork tenderloin work well-just adjust cooking time so the meat is fully cooked.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be! Just make sure your soy sauce (or tamari), oyster sauce, and rice wine are labeled gluten-free.

How can I make it spicier?
Add sliced fresh jalapeños, dried red chilies, or a spoonful of chili paste (like sambal oelek) when stir-frying the vegetables.

More Delicious Beef Stir Fry Recipes

If you love easy beef stir fries, here are a few more tasty recipes to try:

• Beef Vegetables Stir Fry - Marinated beef stir-fried with garlic, baby corn, asparagus, and carrots, then finished with a savory oyster sauce.
• Beef and Onion Stir Fry - Tender marinated beef and onions cooked in a simple savory sauce that's perfect with rice.
• Beef Noodles Stir Fry - Marinated beef stir-fried with garlic, carrots, onions, snow peas, and tender noodles in a flavorful sauce.
• Mongolian Beef Stir Fry - A sweet and savory beef stir fry that's easy to make at home and delicious served with rice.

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Want to learn more?

Check out my FULL BLOWN "How to Stir Fry at Home" eBook! You will learn everything you need to know to master stir fries at home!