Sus Hive Recipe Library

Pepper Steak

Chinese takeout-style pepper steak with velveted beef, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and a glossy brown sauce. Source-verified from The Woks of Life.

HotBeefStir-FryGF-conditional

Pepper Steak

Source: The Woks of Life — “Pepper Steak” by Bill. URL: https://thewoksoflife.com/pepper-steak-recipe/

Yield: 4 servings

Prep: 45 min

Cook: 15 min

Total: 1 hr

Ingredients

Beef + Velvet Marinade

  • 12 oz flank steak, London broil, or chuck roast
  • 1½ Tbsp water
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 tsp neutral oil
  • 2 tsp oyster sauce
  • 2 tsp Shaoxing wine
  • ¼ tsp baking soda

Sauce

  • ½ cup low-sodium chicken stock
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 1½ Tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 Tbsp Shaoxing wine
  • 1 Tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 tsp dark soy sauce
  • ½ tsp sugar
  • ½ tsp sesame oil
  • ⅛ tsp white pepper, or to taste

Vegetables + Stir-Fry

  • 1 green bell pepper
  • ½ red bell pepper
  • 1 medium onion
  • 2 Tbsp neutral oil
  • ½ tsp minced ginger, optional
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped

Method

  1. Slice beef into thin 3-inch strips, about ⅛–¼ inch thick. Slightly frozen beef slices cleaner.
  2. Velvet beef with water, cornstarch, oil, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, and baking soda. Rest at least 30 minutes; overnight is better for tougher cuts.
  3. Mix sauce ingredients and reserve.
  4. Cut peppers and onion into even 1-inch pieces or strips.
  5. Heat wok very hot. Add 1 Tbsp oil. Sear beef quickly, about 30 seconds per side, until about 80% cooked. Remove.
  6. Lower to medium-high. Add remaining oil, ginger if using, garlic, peppers, and onions. Stir-fry about 1 minute.
  7. Return beef and juices. Toss 15 seconds.
  8. Stir sauce again, add to wok, and cook until glossy and thickened. Adjust with stock/water if needed.

Finish + Service

Serve hot over steamed rice. For catering, hold beef and vegetables sauced, but avoid overcooking peppers; keep them slightly crisp and glossy.