Chinese Pepper Steak With Onion Recipe
Chinese Pepper Steak with Onion is a flavorful, savory dish typically found in Chinese-American cuisine. It features thinly sliced beef stir-fried with vibrant bell peppers, onions, and a savory sauce made with soy sauce, garlic, and a touch of sugar for balance. The dish is quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner. This recipe offers a restaurant-quality meal that can be prepared in the comfort of your home.
Equipment:
- Wok or large skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring spoons
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Preparing the Beef
To begin, choose a good cut of beef that is tender and suitable for stir-frying. Flank steak is ideal due to its texture and ability to absorb flavors, but sirloin or round steak can also work. Slice the beef thinly against the grain to ensure it remains tender once cooked.
Marinating the Beef:
- In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice wine (or dry sherry), cornstarch, sesame oil, sugar, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Add the thinly sliced beef to the marinade and toss to coat. Let the beef marinate for at least 20-30 minutes. If you’re short on time, you can let it marinate for 10 minutes while you prepare the vegetables and sauce.
Step 2: Preparing the Vegetables
While the beef marinates, slice the vegetables. You’ll need:
- One large onion, thinly sliced.
- One red bell pepper and one green bell pepper, each cut into strips or bite-sized pieces.
Having all the vegetables prepped and ready will make the stir-frying process much quicker.
Step 3: Making the Stir-Fry Sauce
In a small bowl, combine:
- Beef broth or water
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Hoisin sauce (if using)
- Sugar
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Mix the ingredients together until the sugar is dissolved. This will form the base of the sauce for the stir-fry.
Step 4: Stir-Frying the Beef
Now it’s time to cook! Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat and add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Allow the oil to get hot (you should see it shimmer).
- Stir-fry the beef: Add the marinated beef to the hot wok in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding; if necessary, stir-fry the beef in batches. Let it cook undisturbed for about 1 minute to sear the beef, then stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes until the beef is browned but not fully cooked through. Remove the beef from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
- Stir-fry the vegetables: In the same wok, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the sliced onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Stir-fry the vegetables for 3-4 minutes until they are tender-crisp. You want them to retain their bright color and slight crunch.
- Add the garlic and ginger (optional): Add the minced garlic and ginger (if using) to the wok with the vegetables and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 5: Combine Everything
- Return the beef to the wok: Add the cooked beef back into the wok with the vegetables.
- Add the stir-fry sauce: Pour the sauce mixture over the beef and vegetables. Stir everything together, ensuring the sauce evenly coats the beef and vegetables. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the beef to cook through.
Step 6: Adjust Seasoning
Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more soy sauce for saltiness, sugar for sweetness, or red pepper flakes for heat. If you prefer a stronger flavor, a touch more oyster sauce can be added.
Step 7: Serve
Once everything is cooked and well-coated in the sauce, your Chinese Pepper Steak with Onion is ready to serve! Serve the dish hot, garnished with some freshly ground black pepper if desired. It pairs wonderfully with steamed white rice, fried rice, or noodles.
Tips for the Best Chinese Pepper Steak with Onion:
- Slice the beef thinly: For the most tender results, be sure to slice the beef thinly and against the grain. This helps to break up the muscle fibers and keeps the beef tender during stir-frying.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: When stir-frying the beef, avoid overcrowding the wok or skillet. Cook the beef in batches if necessary. Overcrowding causes the beef to steam rather than sear, resulting in less flavor.
- Use high heat: Chinese stir-frying relies on very high heat, so don’t be afraid to turn up the temperature. This helps to quickly sear the beef and vegetables, locking in flavor and texture.
- Customize the vegetables: While bell peppers and onions are classic, you can customize this dish by adding other vegetables like mushrooms, snow peas, or baby corn. Stir-frying is versatile, so feel free to experiment with what you have on hand.
- Make it spicy: If you like a little more heat, feel free to increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or even add a sliced chili pepper to the stir-fry. Alternatively, a splash of chili garlic sauce or sriracha can give the dish a nice kick.
- Tenderizing the beef: Flank steak is naturally a bit tougher than some other cuts, but marinating it with cornstarch and soy sauce will tenderize it and keep it juicy during stir-frying.
Variations and Add-Ons:
1. Pepper Steak with Black Bean Sauce:
For a deeper, savory flavor, you can add black bean sauce. Simply stir in 1-2 tablespoons of fermented black bean paste or sauce along with the soy sauce in the stir-fry sauce.
2. Pepper Steak with Vegetables:
Incorporate additional vegetables like snow peas, broccoli, or carrots to increase the nutritional value of the dish. You can either stir-fry them along with the bell peppers or blanch them separately before adding them to the wok.
3. Pepper Steak with Pineapple:
For a sweet and savory variation, consider adding some pineapple chunks to the stir-fry. The sweetness of the pineapple contrasts beautifully with the savory sauce, giving the dish a tropical twist.
4. Sweet and Sour Pepper Steak:
For a more tangy dish, mix in some vinegar (rice vinegar works best) and a bit of ketchup or tomato paste to create a sweet-and-sour sauce. This variation is a popular choice in Chinese-American restaurants.
Conclusion:
Chinese Pepper Steak with Onion is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that brings together savory beef, crisp vegetables, and a flavorful sauce. It’s perfect for a family dinner or as a dish to impress guests. With its vibrant colors, bold flavors, and customizable ingredients, this recipe allows for plenty of room to experiment while maintaining the essence of a classic Chinese stir-fry. Whether you keep it traditional or add your own twists, you’re sure to enjoy this satisfying meal.
Chinese Pepper Steak With Onion Recipe
Chinese Pepper Steak with Onion is a flavorful, savory dish typically found in Chinese-American cuisine. It features thinly sliced beef stir-fried with vibrant bell peppers, onions, and a savory sauce made with soy sauce, garlic, and a touch of sugar for balance. The dish is quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner. This recipe offers a restaurant-quality meal that can be prepared in the comfort of your home.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (divided)
- 1 large onion, sliced into rings
- 1 large bell pepper (green or red), sliced into strips
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, minced or grated
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (for sauce)
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 cup beef broth or water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (for sauce thickening)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- Cooked rice for serving
Instructions
- Prep the beef: In a bowl, toss the thinly sliced beef with 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp cornstarch, and 1 tbsp rice vinegar. Let it sit while you prepare the vegetables.
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), sugar, and beef broth or water. Mix well and set aside.
- Stir-fry the vegetables: Heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion and bell pepper, stir-frying for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the beef: In the same pan, heat the remaining 1 tbsp of vegetable oil. Add the minced garlic and ginger, stirring for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until the beef is just cooked through.
- Combine: Add the vegetables back to the pan with the beef. Pour in the sauce mixture and stir to combine. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, letting the sauce thicken. If you'd like it thicker, mix the 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp of water and add it to the pan, stirring until it thickens.
- Serve: Season with black pepper to taste and serve immediately over rice.