Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak is a flavorful and quick stir-fry that brings the restaurant experience right to your kitchen, making it a weeknight dinner hero. This recipe delivers tender steak and crisp peppers in a savory sauce, proving delicious Asian-inspired meals are achievable for everyone.
Key Ingredients for Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak
- For the Steak:
- 1.5 pounds sirloin steak, thinly sliced against the grain (about 1/8 inch thick)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- For the Vegetables:
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil (like vegetable or canola oil), divided
- 1 large yellow onion, cut into wedges
- 2 bell peppers (any color combination, such as red and green), seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- For the Sauce:
- 1/4 cup beef broth
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- Optional Garnishes:
- Cooked white or brown rice, for serving
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Chopped green onions, for garnish
How to Make Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak
This Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak recipe is incredibly easy to whip up, delivering a satisfying explosion of flavors and textures in under 30 minutes. You’ll love the tender, marinated steak and the vibrant, crisp peppers coated in a rich, savory sauce. Preparation time is approximately 15 minutes, with an additional 15 minutes for cooking, making it a fantastic option for busy evenings.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Marinate the Steak: In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced sirloin steak with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Toss well to ensure every slice is coated. Let it marinate for at least 10 minutes while you prepare the vegetables and sauce. This step is crucial for tenderizing the steak and ensuring it develops a beautiful sear.
Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice wine vinegar, sugar, and 1 teaspoon of cornstarch. Set aside. This simple sauce will be the flavor powerhouse of your dish.
Sear the Steak: Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated steak in a single layer (you might need to do this in batches to avoid crowding the pan, which can steam the meat instead of searing it). Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, or until nicely browned and just cooked through. Remove the steak from the skillet and set aside.
Stir-Fry the Vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of cooking oil to the same skillet. Add the sliced onion and bell peppers. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they are crisp-tender, meaning they are cooked but still have a slight bite.
Add Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Combine and Thicken: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the vegetables. Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring constantly. The cornstarch in the sauce will help it thicken quickly.
Return Steak to Pan: Add the seared steak back into the skillet with the sauce and vegetables. Toss everything together gently to coat the steak and vegetables evenly with the thickened sauce. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, just until the steak is heated through and the sauce clings to everything.
Serve: Remove the Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak from the heat immediately. Serve hot over cooked rice, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired.
Why You’ll Love This Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak
You’ll absolutely adore this Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak for its incredible speed and mouthwatering flavors. The star of the show is the perfectly tender, marinated steak that practically melts in your mouth, harmonizing beautifully with the crisp-tender bell peppers and onions. Forget expensive takeout; this recipe is a budget-friendly way to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal right in your own home, saving you money without compromising on taste.
The secret to its irresistible charm lies in the deeply savory, slightly sweet, and umami-rich sauce that coats every bite, making it far more satisfying than a simple stir-fry.
If you’re a fan of classic Beef and Broccoli, you’ll find so much to love here, with a similar satisfying chew and rich sauce, but with the delightful crunch of fresh peppers. It’s the perfect solution for those nights when you’re craving something deeply flavorful and comforting, but short on time.
So, gather your ingredients and get ready to impress yourself and your loved ones with this phenomenal Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak – you won’t regret it! Give this recipe a try and discover your new go-to weeknight meal.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing Leftovers:
Allow the Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak to cool completely before storing. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is well-sealed to maintain freshness and prevent any odors from transferring.
Reheating:
- Stovetop Method (Recommended): Heat a tablespoon of oil or a splash of water/broth in a skillet over medium heat. Add the leftovers and stir occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes. This method helps retain the texture of the steak and vegetables.
- Microwave Method: Place the leftovers in a microwave-safe dish. Cover loosely and microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated through. Be careful not to overcook, as the steak can become tough.
Freezing for Future Meals:
Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak can be frozen for longer storage.
- Let the dish cool completely.
- Portion the pepper steak into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible before sealing.
- Label the containers with the date.
- Frozen pepper steak is best consumed within 2-3 months for optimal quality.
- To reheat from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then follow the stovetop or microwave reheating instructions.
Final Thoughts
This Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak recipe offers a wonderfully flavorful and quick meal solution that is both impressive and accessible. It’s a testament to how easily delicious, restaurant-style dishes can be recreated at home. We heartily encourage you to give this recipe a whirl for your next dinner – it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest

Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced sirloin steak with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Toss well to ensure every slice is coated. Let it marinate for at least 10 minutes while you prepare the vegetables and sauce. This step is crucial for tenderizing the steak and ensuring it develops a beautiful sear.1.5 pounds sirloin steak, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice wine vinegar, sugar, and 1 teaspoon of cornstarch. Set aside. This simple sauce will be the flavor powerhouse of your dish.1/4 cup beef broth, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated steak in a single layer (you might need to do this in batches to avoid crowding the pan, which can steam the meat instead of searing it). Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, or until nicely browned and just cooked through. Remove the steak from the skillet and set aside.2 tablespoons cooking oil
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of cooking oil to the same skillet. Add the sliced onion and bell peppers. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they are crisp-tender, meaning they are cooked but still have a slight bite.2 tablespoons cooking oil, 1 large yellow onion, 2 bell peppers
- Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.3 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the vegetables. Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring constantly. The cornstarch in the sauce will help it thicken quickly.
- Add the seared steak back into the skillet with the sauce and vegetables. Toss everything together gently to coat the steak and vegetables evenly with the thickened sauce. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, just until the steak is heated through and the sauce clings to everything.1.5 pounds sirloin steak
- Remove the Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak from the heat immediately. Serve hot over cooked rice, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired.cooked white or brown rice, sesame seeds, chopped green onions