Hello and welcome, foodies! If you’re in the mood for a hearty and flavorful dinner tonight, we’ve got just the recipe for you. Pepper Steak is a classic dish that has been loved by generations, and we’re excited to share with you our own delicious take on it.
Made with tender strips of beef steak, colorful bell peppers, and a savory sauce, this Pepper Steak recipe is the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Not to mention, it’s incredibly easy to make and can be on your table in under 30 minutes. So pull up a chair, pour yourself a glass of red wine, and let’s get cooking!
The Recipe for Delicious Pepper Steak
What is Pepper Steak?
Pepper steak is a popular dish in Chinese cuisine. It is a stir-fry dish that consists of sliced beef, peppers, onions, and a savory brown sauce. The dish is known for its tender meat and rich, flavorful sauce that complements the vegetables perfectly.
Ingredients
To make delicious pepper steak, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 pound of beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1 cup of beef broth
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
Preparation
Preparing the beef for the pepper steak is an important step that should not be skipped. To marinate the beef, mix 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a bowl. Add the sliced beef to the mixture and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Once the beef is marinated, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. When the oil is hot, add the beef to the wok and cook until browned. Remove the beef from the wok and set it aside.
Add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil to the wok and stir-fry the garlic, green and red bell peppers, and onion until the vegetables are slightly softened.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining soy sauce, sugar, and beef broth. Add the soy sauce mixture to the wok and bring it to a boil.
Add the beef back to the wok and stir-fry until the sauce thickens, and the beef is cooked through. This should take around 2-3 minutes.
Season the pepper steak with black pepper and serve it over rice or noodles.
Conclusion
Pepper steak is a delicious and easy dish that you can enjoy at home. It is a perfect meal for busy weeknights or for entertaining guests. With its tender beef, colorful vegetables, and rich sauce, pepper steak is sure to impress. Try this recipe the next time you’re in the mood for something hearty and flavorful.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Pepper Steak
Cutting the Beef
One of the main highlights of pepper steak is the juicy and tender beef that’s cooked to perfection. To achieve this, it’s crucial to cut the sirloin against the grain. And here’s why – meat is made up of muscle fibers that run from one end to the other. When you cut against the grain, you’re cutting these fibers, which results in more tender meat. On the other hand, if you cut with the grain, you’ll have tough and chewy pieces of steak in your dish. Therefore, the trick is to identify the direction of the grain, which is usually the long lines you see on the meat, and slice perpendicular to it.
Marinating
The best way to add flavor and tenderize the beef is through marinating. For this recipe, we recommend using a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, and cornstarch. The soy sauce adds a deep umami flavor, the sugar balances out the saltiness, and the cornstarch tenderizes the meat. To marinate the beef, place the sliced steak in a bowl or a resealable bag, pour the marinade over it, seal it tight, and let it sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Marinating for longer, up to 2 hours, will intensify the flavor, but it’s not necessary as the beef will absorb enough in 30 minutes.
Cooking Techniques
Stir-fry is a fast and easy technique to cook pepper steak. But, it’s crucial to follow some steps to ensure that the beef and vegetables cook evenly. The first tip is to cook the beef in batches. Trying to cook everything in one go will result in overcrowding the skillet, which will steam the beef instead of searing it, resulting in a less flavorful and soggy steak. So, cook the beef in small batches, about ¼ to ⅓ of the total amount, and set them aside.
The second tip is to cook the vegetables over high heat. This technique is called stir-frying, and it’s a quick way to cook vegetables while maintaining their crunchiness. If you cook them on low heat, they will release too much moisture and become limp. Therefore, heat up your skillet or wok until it’s smoking hot, add some oil, and then add your sliced vegetables. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes, or until they’re tender-crisp.
Once the vegetables are cooked, add your beef back to the skillet, along with some black pepper, and stir-fry everything together until the beef is cooked through. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Remember to give everything a good stir, so the flavors are distributed evenly. And there you have it, the perfect pepper steak!
Say Goodbye to Boring Dinner and Try This Pepper Steak Recipe!
We hope this article has provided you with a delicious and easy-to-make recipe for pepper steak that you and your loved ones can enjoy. Whether it’s for a weekday dinner or a special occasion, this dish is sure to impress with its flavor and aroma. Don’t hesitate to experiment with the ingredients and personalize the recipe to your liking.
Thank you for taking the time to read our article and check out our recipe. We hope you found it informative and useful. Feel free to come back and visit us for more savory recipes and cooking tips. From our kitchen to yours, happy cooking!
FAQ
1. Can I use a different cut of beef in this recipe?
Absolutely! While flank steak or sirloin steak are recommended, you can use other cuts like ribeye or tenderloin. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
2. Can I substitute the green bell pepper with a different type of pepper?
Of course! You can use red, yellow, or orange bell peppers, or even spicy peppers like jalapenos or serranos.
3. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the marinade and chop the vegetables ahead of time. Just marinate the steak and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.
4. Can I grill the steak instead of pan-frying it?
Definitely! If you have a grill, you can cook the steak on it instead of using a skillet. The grill will give the meat a smoky flavor that pairs well with the pepper sauce.
5. Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
You can try substituting the steak with tofu, seitan, or portobello mushrooms for a vegetarian or vegan version.
6. Does this recipe require any special equipment?
Nope! Just a skillet or grill, a cutting board, and a sharp knife.
7. Can I use a different type of oil in the marinade?
Yes, you can use any oil you prefer like olive oil, avocado oil, or sesame oil.
8. How spicy is this pepper steak recipe?
It has a mild to medium level of spiciness, but you can adjust it by adding more or fewer chili flakes.
9. Can I serve this dish with something else besides rice?
Sure! You can pair it with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, quinoa, or noodles.
10. Can I double or triple the recipe to feed a larger group?
Absolutely! Just make sure you have a large enough skillet or grill and adjust the portions accordingly.
