Name: Easy Pepper Steak Stir Fry Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (divided use); 1 red bell pepper (cored, seeded and cut into strips); 1 green bell pepper (cored, seeded and cut into strips); 1 1/4 pounds flank steak (thinly sliced); 2 teaspoons minced garlic; 1 teaspoon minced ginger; Salt and pepper to taste; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar; 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1/4 cup water

Nothing beats the sizzle and colorful pop of this **Easy Pepper Steak Stir Fry Recipe** hitting your pan — the smell alone will have you drooling. It’s a quick, satisfying dinner with tender steak and crisp bell peppers, perfect for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without fuss.

A close-up of a white bowl filled with slices of dark brown beef covered in a shiny sauce, mixed with thin strips of bright red and green bell peppers. The beef pieces have a slightly textured surface and are arranged evenly throughout the bowl, with the colorful peppers adding contrast. The sauce coats all ingredients, giving a glossy look that reflects light. The background shows a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Pepper Steak Stir Fry Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Pepper Steak Stir Fry Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Pepper Steak Stir Fry Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve tried a bunch of pepper steak dishes over the years, and what makes this one stand out is how quick and fuss-free it is without sacrificing flavor. Even if you don’t usually cook steak at home, this recipe makes it approachable and so rewarding.

Simple Ingredients: Uses everyday pantry staples and fresh peppers—no exotic sauces or long marinating times.
Speedy Cooking: Ready in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or last-minute guests.
Tender Steak Every Time: Thinly sliced flank steak cooks fast and stays juicy when handled right.
Vibrant and Colorful: The red and green bell peppers add freshness, crunch, and eye-catching appeal.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this easy pepper steak stir fry lies in how the simple ingredients come together for big flavor and texture contrasts. Picking fresh peppers and slicing the steak thin are absolute game changers, so here’s why each ingredient fits just right.

Flat lay of thinly sliced raw flank steak arranged neatly, one whole red bell pepper and one whole green bell pepper with their stems intact, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white ceramic bowl filled with minced garlic, a small white ceramic bowl with minced fresh ginger, a small white ceramic bowl containing light brown granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with golden vegetable oil, a small white ceramic bowl holding glossy dark soy sauce, a small white ceramic bowl with white cornstarch powder, and a small white ceramic bowl of coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, all placed symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Vegetable Oil: It has a high smoke point perfect for stir-frying at high heat without burning.
Red Bell Pepper: Adds sweetness and color that balances the savory steak.
Green Bell Pepper: Brings a slightly grassy bitterness and fresh crunch that contrasts beautifully.
Flank Steak: Thin-sliced for quick cooking; it’s lean and flavorful, especially when cooked just right.
Minced Garlic: Infuses the dish with aromatic warmth—a classic stir fry must-have.
Minced Ginger: Adds a subtle zing that brightens the whole dish.
Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning both the meat and veggies, highlighting natural flavors.
Soy Sauce: The savory backbone giving the dish that satisfying umami punch.
Sugar: Balances the saltiness and sharpness, creating harmony.
Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce into a glossy glaze that hugs every bite.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This Easy Pepper Steak Stir Fry Recipe is great as-is, but I love mixing things up depending on what’s in the fridge or how much time I have. You can easily bend it to your taste or dietary needs.

Variation: I sometimes toss in sliced onions or mushrooms for extra layers of texture — it’s a simple way to stretch the dish without losing the core flavors.
Spicy Kick: Adding a teaspoon of chili paste or red pepper flakes makes it zingy if you’re into some heat.
Low Sodium: Swap regular soy sauce for a low-sodium version to keep things lighter on salt.
Protein Swap: If flank steak isn’t your thing, thinly sliced chicken breast or even firm tofu work well here too.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Pepper Steak Stir Fry Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a stir-fry dish in a white bowl with a dark rim, placed on a white marbled surface. The dish has three main layers: the bottom layer contains shiny, dark brown pieces of cooked meat covered in a thick sauce, the middle layer is made of bright red bell pepper strips and vibrant green bell pepper strips mixed evenly, and on top, a wide, light wooden spatula is shown lifting some of the food. The different textures include the soft, tender appearance of the meat and the crispness of the bell peppers, all combined with the glossy sauce coating everything. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients

Start by cutting those colorful bell peppers into thin strips and slicing your flank steak against the grain as thinly as possible. I find freezing the steak slightly for about 20 minutes makes slicing easier and neater. Have your garlic minced and ginger ready to go—this prep makes the cooking flow so smooth.

Step 2: Cook the Peppers

Heat 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil over medium-high in a large pan or wok. Toss in the peppers and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until they’re just tender but still have some crunch. Don't overcook—peppers lose their vibrant color and texture if left too long. Once done, scoop them out and set aside.

Step 3: Sear the Steak

Add the remaining oil to the pan, season the sliced steak with salt and pepper, then crank the heat to high. Spread the steak across the pan in a single layer to get a nice sear—cook for about 5-6 minutes until it’s lightly browned but not overdone. Remember, flank steak can get tough if overcooked, so keep an eye on it!

Step 4: Add Aromatics and Combine

Push the steak slightly aside, add minced garlic and ginger to the hot pan, and stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then, return the peppers to the pan to bring their sweetness back into the mix.

Step 5: Make and Add the Sauce

Whisk together soy sauce, sugar, cornstarch, and a bit of water in a small bowl until smooth. Pour this over the meat and peppers, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens into a glossy coating. This is where the magic happens—each bite gets beautifully saucy.

Top Tip

I’ve learned a few tricks making this Easy Pepper Steak Stir Fry Recipe that make the biggest difference between good and great. These are the tips I wish I’d known the first time I cooked it!

Freeze the Steak Slightly: It’s easier to slice super thin for fast, even cooking when the meat is a little firm.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Cook in batches if needed; overcrowding steams the meat instead of searing it.
High Heat is Key: Stir fry is all about speed at high heat to get that great caramelization and keep veggies crisp.
Add Sauce Gradually: Pour your sauce in slowly while stirring to avoid clumps and ensure even thickening.

How to Serve Easy Pepper Steak Stir Fry Recipe

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle fresh chopped scallions or a few toasted sesame seeds on top right before serving—it adds that lovely fresh bite and a subtle nuttiness that pulls everything together. Sometimes a wedge of lime on the side amps up the freshness too.

Side Dishes

This stir fry goes incredibly well with simple steamed jasmine rice or even cauliflower rice if you’re keeping it light. If you want to double down on veggies, serve alongside sautéed bok choy or a crunchy cucumber salad.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist at gatherings, I’ve served this Easy Pepper Steak Stir Fry Recipe on crispy wonton bowls or even wrapped in lettuce cups for a hands-on meal that looks impressive but stays super easy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The steak holds up nicely, but the peppers will soften a bit more, which isn't necessarily a bad thing—they soak up the sauce beautifully.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish a couple of times with decent results—make sure to cool completely before freezing in portioned containers. When thawed, expect the peppers to be softer, but the flavors stay intact.

Reheating

Reheat in a skillet over medium heat to revive the sauce and prevent the steak from drying out. Avoid the microwave if you can, but if you do use it, heat gently in short bursts, stirring in between.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different cut of beef for this stir fry?

Absolutely! While flank steak is ideal for its texture and quick cooking, you can use sirloin or even skirt steak as long as you slice it thinly against the grain. Avoid tough cuts unless properly marinated.

How do I prevent the steak from getting tough?

The key is slicing the steak thinly and cooking it only until it’s browned and no longer pink but still juicy. Cooking on high heat with minimal time keeps it tender. Don’t overcook, as flank steak can turn chewy quickly.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

Sure thing! Swap the steak for firm tofu or tempeh and use tamari instead of soy sauce for gluten-free. Add extra veggies like mushrooms, snap peas, and baby corn to make it hearty. Cooking times will vary slightly.

Is this dish spicy? Can I adjust the heat?

This version isn’t spicy by default—it’s more savory and slightly sweet. If you want heat, adding sliced fresh chili, chili sauce, or red pepper flakes during cooking is a great way to customize it to your taste.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Pepper Steak Stir Fry Recipe is one of those dishes I keep coming back to because it delivers on flavor, ease, and versatility every single time. It’s my go-to when I want something homemade and comforting without hours in the kitchen. Give it a try—I bet it’ll become a favorite in your rotation too!