Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions Recipe
Chinese cuisine is known for its bold flavors, vibrant colors, and diverse textures. Among the many popular Chinese dishes, Pepper Steak with Onions holds a special place. It’s a simple yet savory stir-fry, made with tender beef slices, crisp bell peppers, and caramelized onions, all coated in a flavorful, slightly sweet, and savory sauce. The dish is often served with steamed rice, making it a balanced meal full of satisfying flavors.
This Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions recipe is easy to prepare and can be customized to your taste. Whether you’re an experienced home cook or a beginner, this dish is a fantastic choice for a delicious dinner that’s full of flavor and perfectly balanced in texture. It combines the freshness of vegetables with the richness of beef, all elevated by a combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a hint of black pepper, which provides just the right amount of heat.
Introduction to Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions
Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions is a classic stir-fry dish that captures the essence of Chinese cooking. Its balance of savory and sweet flavors, combined with the tender beef and crisp vegetables, makes it a crowd-pleasing favorite. It’s one of the quintessential Chinese-American dishes served in restaurants, but it’s also something you can easily prepare at home.
The star ingredients in this dish are thinly sliced beef, bell peppers, and onions. The beef is typically marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, cornstarch, and sometimes a bit of sugar, which helps tenderize it and gives it a glossy finish when stir-fried. The vegetables, particularly the bell peppers, add crunch and sweetness, while the onions bring a savory, aromatic flavor to the dish.
How to Choose the Right Beef for Pepper Steak
The cut of beef you choose will directly impact the texture and flavor of your Chinese Pepper Steak. Here are a few options to consider:
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Flank Steak: This is the most commonly used cut for stir-frying in Chinese cuisine. Flank steak is lean, flavorful, and tends to be a bit tough unless sliced thinly against the grain. When properly sliced and marinated, it cooks quickly and becomes tender.
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Sirloin Steak: Another great option, sirloin is tender and flavorful, but it can be more expensive than flank steak. Like flank steak, sirloin should be sliced thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness.
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Skirt Steak: If you prefer a more intensely beefy flavor, skirt steak is another option. It’s very flavorful and tender when cooked quickly, but it can be a little chewy if not sliced against the grain.
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Ribeye Steak: While it’s a more luxurious option, ribeye steak can be used if you want a marbled cut with rich flavor. Just be aware that it will be fattier than other options.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now that we have our ingredients ready, let’s walk through the steps to prepare Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions.
Step 1: Marinating the Beef
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Slice the Beef: Begin by thinly slicing the beef against the grain into bite-sized strips. Aim for pieces that are about 1/4 inch thick. This will ensure that the beef cooks evenly and remains tender.
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Marinate the Beef: In a bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry), 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Add the beef to the bowl, making sure it is coated evenly with the marinade. Let the beef marinate for 15-30 minutes while you prepare the vegetables and sauce.
Step 2: Stir-Frying the Beef
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Heat the Wok or Skillet: Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil (or peanut oil) and let it get hot.
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Cook the Beef: Add the marinated beef to the hot wok or skillet in a single layer. Let it cook undisturbed for 1-2 minutes until it gets a nice sear. Then, stir-fry the beef for another 2-3 minutes until it’s browned and cooked through. Remove the beef from the pan and set it aside.
Step 3: Stir-Frying the Vegetables
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Stir-Fry the Vegetables: In the same wok or skillet, add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Once the oil is hot, add the sliced onion and bell peppers (red, green, and yellow) along with minced garlic and ginger (if using). Stir-fry the vegetables for 3-4 minutes, until they are just tender but still crisp.
Step 4: Combining the Beef and Vegetables
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Return the Beef to the Pan: Add the cooked beef back into the pan with the vegetables. Stir to combine.
Step 5: Finishing the Dish
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Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (optional), 1/2 cup beef broth, and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. If you want a thicker sauce, mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water to form a slurry, and add it to the sauce mixture.
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Add the Sauce to the Pan: Pour the sauce over the beef and vegetables in the wok. Stir everything together and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and vegetables. The sauce should be glossy and flavorful.
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Final Taste Test: Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning if needed by adding more soy sauce or black pepper to your liking.
Tips for Perfect Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions
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Slice the Beef Thinly: The key to tender beef is slicing it thinly against the grain. This ensures that the beef cooks quickly and remains tender.
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High Heat for Stir-Frying: Stir-frying requires high heat to ensure the ingredients cook quickly without releasing too much moisture. Make sure your wok or skillet is hot before adding the ingredients.
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Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When cooking the beef, avoid overcrowding the pan. If necessary, cook the beef in batches to get a nice sear. Overcrowding the pan can cause the beef to steam instead of stir-fry.
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Customize the Sauce: If you prefer a spicier version, add some chili paste or fresh chili peppers to the sauce. For a milder flavor, reduce the black pepper and skip the hoisin sauce.
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Use Fresh Vegetables: Fresh bell peppers and onions are key to the dish’s texture. They should be cooked until just tender to maintain their crunch and color.
Creative Variations
While Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions is delicious in its classic form, you can experiment with the recipe to suit your tastes. Here are a few creative variations:
Add Different Vegetables:
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Mushrooms: Add sliced shiitake or button mushrooms for an earthy flavor that pairs well with the beef.
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Snow Peas: For added crunch and a burst of green, snow peas are a great addition.
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Broccoli: If you enjoy more hearty vegetables, add some broccoli florets to the stir-fry for extra nutrients and texture.
Spice It Up:
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Chili Peppers: Add sliced fresh chili peppers or a spoonful of chili paste for a spicy kick.
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Szechuan Peppercorns: If you love heat and a numbing sensation, add a small amount of Szechuan peppercorns for authentic flavor.
Different Cuts of Beef:
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Ribeye: If you prefer a fattier, more flavorful cut, ribeye steak is a great choice.
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Chuck Steak: For a budget-friendly option, chuck steak can be used if sliced thinly and marinated well.
Serving Suggestions
Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions pairs well with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas for creating a well-rounded meal:
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Steamed Rice: White or brown steamed rice is a classic accompaniment to stir-fry dishes. It soaks up the flavorful sauce and balances out the dish’s richness.
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Fried Rice: For a more indulgent side, you can serve the pepper steak with a side of fried rice, which is also a great way to use up leftover rice.
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Noodles: Chinese egg noodles or rice noodles can also be served with the dish for a heartier meal.
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Stir-Fried Vegetables: Pair your pepper steak with other stir-fried vegetables like bok choy, Chinese cabbage, or baby corn for extra nutrients and color.
Conclusion
Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions is a flavorful, satisfying dish that brings together tender beef, crisp vegetables, and a savory sauce. Whether you enjoy it as a quick weeknight meal or a special dish for guests, this recipe is easy to prepare and delicious every time.
Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank steak (or sirloin steak), thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (or sesame oil)
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2-inch piece of ginger, grated or finely minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance flavors)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (for thickening)
- 1/4 cup water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooked rice (for serving)
- Optional garnish: sliced green onions or sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Steak:
Slice the flank steak (or sirloin) thinly against the grain into bite-sized strips. This will help make the steak tender when cooked. - Make the Sauce:
In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sugar (if using), and cornstarch. Add 1/4 cup water to the mixture and stir until the cornstarch is dissolved. This will create your sauce mixture. - Cook the Vegetables:
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion and bell peppers and stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables are tender-crisp. Remove the vegetables from the pan and set them aside. - Cook the Steak:
In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the sliced beef to the pan in a single layer, and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, until the steak is browned and cooked through. Avoid overcrowding the pan, so you may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your skillet. - Add Garlic and Ginger:
Once the steak is cooked, add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant. - Combine Steak and Vegetables:
Return the cooked vegetables to the pan with the steak. Stir to combine everything evenly. - Add the Sauce:
Pour the sauce mixture over the steak and vegetables. Stir well to coat everything in the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. - Serve:
Remove from heat and taste the dish. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve the Chinese pepper steak with onions over steamed rice. Garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- Steak Selection: Flank steak is ideal for this recipe because it’s tender and flavorful when sliced thinly. You can also use sirloin or rib-eye, depending on your preference.
- Vegetable Options: You can add other vegetables like mushrooms, snow peas, or carrots for extra flavor and color.
- Sauce Balance: If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add more hoisin sauce or sugar. If you like it saltier, increase the soy sauce slightly.