Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions is a flavorful stir-fry featuring tender beef strips, crisp bell peppers, and caramelized onions in a savory, glossy sauce. This quick and easy Chinese-style dinner is perfect for busy weeknights or takeout-style indulgence at home.
Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions
When you crave something bold, savory, and satisfying, Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions delivers every time. This dish captures the essence of restaurant-style stir-fry tender, juicy beef, crisp-tender vegetables, and a silky brown sauce that clings perfectly to every bite.
Unlike heavy Western steak dishes, Chinese pepper steak focuses on balance a harmony between umami, sweetness, and heat. It’s the kind of meal that comes sizzling from the wok, filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas.
Whether served over fluffy white rice, fried rice, or noodles, this Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak is a fast, flavorful, and comforting dish that’s easy to make right at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Restaurant quality at home: Tastes like your favorite Chinese takeout.
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Quick and easy: Ready in about 30 minutes.
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Budget-friendly: Uses affordable ingredients and simple pantry staples.
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Customizable: Perfect with chicken, tofu, or shrimp variations.
Ingredients
For the Beef Marinade:
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1 pound flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
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1 tablespoon soy sauce
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1 tablespoon cornstarch
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1 teaspoon sesame oil
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1 teaspoon rice vinegar
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½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Stir-Fry Sauce:
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¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
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2 tablespoons oyster sauce
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1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
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1 tablespoon cornstarch
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1 tablespoon brown sugar
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2 teaspoons rice vinegar
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1 tablespoon minced garlic
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1 teaspoon grated ginger
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½ cup beef broth or water
For the Stir-Fry:
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2 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided)
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1 large onion, sliced
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1 red bell pepper, sliced
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1 green bell pepper, sliced
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½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
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1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (adjust to taste)
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Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Beef
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Slice the beef thinly against the grain — this ensures tenderness.
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In a bowl, combine soy sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and black pepper.
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Add the beef slices and toss to coat evenly.
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Let marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 1 hour for deeper flavor.
Tip: Thin slicing and cornstarch tenderizing (called “velveting”) are key to that authentic, soft Chinese restaurant-style beef texture.
Step 2: Make the Stir-Fry Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, cornstarch, garlic, ginger, and beef broth until smooth.
Set aside this will be your rich, flavorful sauce base.
Step 3: Sear the Beef
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Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat.
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When the oil is hot, add half of the beef (avoid overcrowding) and sear for about 1–2 minutes per side until browned but not fully cooked through.
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Remove and repeat with the remaining beef.
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Transfer all cooked beef to a plate and set aside.
Tip: Cooking in batches helps the beef sear instead of steaming, ensuring rich caramelization and flavor.
Step 4: Sauté the Vegetables
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Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the same pan.
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Toss in sliced onions and bell peppers. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until crisp-tender and fragrant.
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Add crushed red pepper flakes and black pepper for that classic “pepper steak” bite.
You should see the vegetables glisten while still holding their shape — this is the perfect texture for stir-fry.
Step 5: Combine and Simmer
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Return the seared beef to the pan with the vegetables.
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Stir the sauce mixture and pour it into the wok.
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Stir continuously until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the beef and vegetables — about 2–3 minutes.
The sauce should become glossy and cling beautifully to every piece of meat and pepper.
Step 6: Serve Hot and Sizzling
Once the sauce thickens, remove from heat immediately.
Serve your Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions hot over:
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Steamed jasmine or basmati rice
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Fried rice
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Noodles or lo mein
Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for an elegant finishing touch.
Taste and Texture
Every bite of this dish bursts with layered flavors — savory soy and oyster sauce balanced with a touch of sweetness and spice. The beef is tender and juicy, while the bell peppers and onions provide crisp freshness and color.
The sizzling sound, glossy sauce, and balanced flavors make this dish irresistible — a perfect example of Chinese-style wok cooking at home.
Tips for Success
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Slice beef thinly: The thinner the slice, the more tender the final dish.
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High heat is essential: Stir-frying at high heat ensures quick cooking and keeps ingredients crisp.
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Do not overcook: Overcooking toughens beef and softens vegetables too much.
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Thicken sauce last: The cornstarch thickens rapidly, so stir constantly to prevent lumps.
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Adjust to taste: Add more soy sauce for saltiness or sugar for balance.
Variations
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Spicy Pepper Steak: Add 1–2 teaspoons of chili garlic sauce or fresh chili slices.
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Garlic-Lover’s Version: Increase garlic to 2 tablespoons for a bolder flavor.
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Mushroom Pepper Steak: Add sliced shiitake or button mushrooms to the stir-fry.
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Chicken or Pork Alternative: Substitute thinly sliced chicken breast or pork tenderloin.
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Vegetarian Option: Replace beef with firm tofu or seitan and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
Storage and Reheating
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Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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Freeze: Freeze for up to 2 months; thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
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Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet or microwave until hot, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
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Calories: 360
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Protein: 28g
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Fat: 18g
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Carbohydrates: 22g
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Sugar: 7g
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Fiber: 3g
(Values may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes. Flank steak, sirloin, or even ribeye work beautifully. The key is to slice against the grain for tenderness.
Q2: What type of oil is best for stir-fry?
Use high-smoke-point oils such as vegetable, peanut, or canola oil — avoid butter or olive oil.
Q3: Can I prepare this dish ahead?
You can pre-slice the meat and vegetables and make the sauce ahead of time. Stir-fry everything fresh for best results.
Q4: My sauce turned too thick. What do I do?
Add 1–2 tablespoons of water or broth while stirring to thin it out to your desired consistency.
Q5: How do I make it gluten-free?
Use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure all sauces are labeled gluten-free.
Expert Cooking Insights
This Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak is inspired by traditional Cantonese stir-fry techniques, emphasizing speed, heat, and freshness. The “velveting” of the beef coating it in soy and cornstarch ensures it stays tender and absorbs flavor.
The interplay of textures and colors crisp green peppers, tender beef, caramelized onions makes this dish both visually and gastronomically satisfying. It’s the kind of dinner that feels special yet can be made in less than 30 minutes.
Suggested Side Dishes
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Steamed jasmine rice or brown rice
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Vegetable fried rice
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Garlic noodles
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Steamed broccoli or bok choy
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Egg rolls or spring rolls
These pairings complement the rich, savory flavors of the dish and create a complete, restaurant-style meal.
Final Thoughts
This Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions is more than just a quick stir-fry it’s a flavor-packed journey into the heart of Chinese home cooking. The perfect balance of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors creates a dish that’s comforting yet vibrant.
Whether you’re cooking for family or simply craving takeout-style satisfaction at home, this recipe delivers every time sizzling, saucy, and irresistibly delicious.
Once you try it, it’s sure to become one of your favorite weeknight dinners.
