Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe

Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound beef top sirloin steak
  • cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • teaspoon ground ginger
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
  • 1 red onion, cut into 1-inch squares
  • 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares
  • 2 tomatoes, cut into wedges

Directions

  1. Slice the steak into -inch thick slices, cutting across the grain.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sugar, cornstarch, and ginger until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth.
  3. Add the steak slices to the marinade and stir to coat evenly. Let the meat marinate while you prepare the vegetables.
  4. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
  5. Cook the steak strips in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Saut the steak for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Remove the steak from the pan and set aside.
  6. Repeat with the remaining steak, adding more oil if needed. Once all the steak is cooked, set it aside.
  7. Return the cooked steak to the pan and add the onion. Toss the steak and onion together and cook for about 2 minutes, until the onion starts to soften.
  8. Next, add the green bell pepper to the pan. Continue cooking and stirring for about 2 minutes, until the peppers are tender and bright green.
  9. Add the tomato wedges and stir everything together, allowing the flavors to blend. Cook for an additional minute.
  10. Remove from heat and serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh herbs if desired.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

  • Calories: 312
  • Fat: 15g
  • Carbs: 17g
  • Protein: 26g
  • Sodium: 972mg
  • Cholesterol: 69mg
  • Dietary Fiber: 2g
  • Sugars: 10g
  • Vitamin C: 32mg
  • Calcium: 25mg
  • Iron: 4mg
  • Potassium: 647mg

Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe

Chinese Pepper Steak is a flavorful dish that features tender beef, vibrant vegetables, and a savory, slightly sweet sauce. The dish is beloved worldwide for its simplicity and deliciousness, making it a go-to recipe for those craving Chinese-American cuisine. Below, we explore the history, regional nuances, and other interesting aspects of this dish.

Origin Story

The origins of Chinese Pepper Steak are rooted in Chinese-American cuisine, which developed as Chinese immigrants adapted their culinary traditions to local ingredients and American tastes. This particular dish combines traditional Chinese stir-fry techniques with American ingredients such as bell peppers and tomatoes, creating a fusion that became popular in American Chinese restaurants in the mid-20th century. It is not a dish commonly found in China but is a staple in Chinese-American takeout menus across the United States.

Regional Variations

Though the dish is widely recognized in Westernized Chinese cuisine, different regions in the United States and even globally have put their spin on Chinese Pepper Steak. In some areas, for example, chefs may add different vegetables such as carrots, snow peas, or mushrooms to give the dish additional texture and flavor. Additionally, the level of sweetness or heat in the sauce can vary. Some cooks prefer to add a hint of honey or brown sugar to balance out the savory soy sauce, while others might introduce a spicier element with chili paste or pepper flakes.

Distinguishing Features

Chinese Pepper Steak stands out from other beef stir-fries because of its specific combination of ingredients: the use of bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes alongside a sweet and savory soy-based marinade. Unlike other stir-fry dishes like Mongolian beef, which often focus more on a soy and hoisin sauce mixture, pepper steak incorporates a more balanced flavor profile with fresh vegetables that bring both crunch and color to the dish. The tomatoes, in particular, add a juicy contrast to the beef and peppers, making this dish unique in flavor and texture.

Where It's Typically Served

This dish is commonly found in Chinese-American restaurants, particularly those offering classic takeout dishes. Its typically served with steamed white rice or fried rice, making it a hearty and satisfying meal. While it is not usually seen in traditional Chinese restaurants, it has become synonymous with Chinese-American comfort food. Home cooks also love to prepare this dish because it is quick, requires few ingredients, and delivers a delicious result. Often enjoyed for dinner, it is perfect for families or small gatherings.

Fun Facts

  • The combination of soy sauce, sugar, and cornstarch in the marinade is a hallmark of Chinese-American cooking, where the flavors of sweet and savory often blend together.
  • While the dish is not traditionally Chinese, it is inspired by stir-fry techniques that have been used in China for centuries. Stir-frying itself is a quick cooking method that preserves the nutrients in vegetables while enhancing their flavors.
  • Chinese Pepper Steak is a popular choice for adapting to dietary preferences. It can be made with different cuts of beef, or even substituted with chicken or tofu for a vegetarian version.
  • To enhance the dish, many chefs suggest adding a bit of garlic or ginger, both of which are widely used in Chinese cooking for their aromatic qualities.

FAQ about Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe

Yes, you can use other tender cuts of beef such as flank steak or rib-eye. Just ensure that the beef is thinly sliced to match the recipe's cooking method.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.

Yes, you can prepare the marinade and cut the vegetables ahead of time. However, it’s best to cook the dish fresh for optimal flavor and texture.

If you're looking for a gluten-free option, you can substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. For a less salty alternative, try using low-sodium soy sauce.

While it’s not ideal to freeze the vegetables, you can freeze the cooked beef and sauce. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a pan to serve.

Absolutely! You can add vegetables like snow peas, carrots, or baby corn to the dish. Just be mindful of cooking times to ensure they remain crisp-tender.

Yes, you can adjust the spiciness by adding chili flakes, hot sauce, or using a spicier variety of pepper. Adjust to your taste preference.

Yes, you can replace the beef with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version. Press the tofu to remove excess moisture before cooking.

To prevent the steak from becoming tough, be sure not to overcook it during the initial browning stage. Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan and ensure even cooking.

Yes, you can serve this dish with noodles, quinoa, or even steamed vegetables for a low-carb option.

Comments

Escape

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

Made it without marinading...just threw everything together after browning the steak strips in the oil. I doubled all the other ingredients and completely forgot to add the tomatoes. (the main reason I chose this recipe) Still Delicious! Oh, I did use fresh ginger that I was trying to use up instead of ground.

DREGINEK

03/01/2024 01:08:44 AM

Solid good recipe! My only change was in step 4; which asks me add the steak - which has already been cooked - again. I didn’t want my steak over cooked but I also wanted my onions and peppers to be tender crisp. As such, I gave the onion/peppers a head start - sautéd for about 5 min, and then added the sirloin and tomatoes as asked in step 5. Tomatoes were easy to pick out if you didn’t like but I did! This is easy to make and satisfies that Chinese take out craving!! Would and will make again! Thanks Kim!!

MNDIYMOM

08/10/2020 01:07:39 PM

My mom used to make pepper steak and I've always wanted to make it since she's been gone. So glad I tried this one, the flavor is as I remembered! As usual for me, I rarely stick exactly to a recipe, either because of food allergies, or I'm lacking some ingredients or trying to incorporate farmers market goodies. This time I only had about half the ginger, so I also added some curry, and I had green onions, baby zucchini and summer squash, and a mild yellow wax pepper. I also added about a half cup more water at the end to de-glaze the pan and get more sauce. My family loved it, so did I! I'm definitely making this recipe again.

Maureen Corkery

08/20/2020 11:30:49 PM

Delicious, best I've ever made! Used London broil, sliced when it was almost frozen (1/4"). Marinade was the key IMO. Barely browned the meat and removed from pan and continued with the rest of meat. Next added peppers as they take a little longer than the onions. Had drained and kept liquid from tomatoes, added this next, then the tomatoes. Returned meat and garlic to pan, heated til everything was warm. Definitely will use again.

LindaLou

03/06/2024 01:59:25 AM

We liked this dish and will definitely make it again. Next time I will slice the steak thinner than 1/2” and marinate it longer. I will be adding the leftover marinade to the pan and cook it a few minutes before adding the tomatoes at the end too.

WENGER6

03/07/2023 04:55:08 AM

This is a GREAT base recipe, and the cooking times were exactly right, but imo, it needed a little more color and flavor. So the 2nd time I made it, I used half green and half red pepper. At the end, I added about a TBSP Worcerstershire Sauce and liberally sprinkled it with Montreal Steak Seasoning (2 passes over the pan or wok), an extra pass of soy sauce, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. I like the other suggestions of maybe a minced garlic clove or two also. I LOVED the fresh tomato wedges thrown in at the end! It's a nice looking dish and it all goes together in less than an hour easily! Great basic recipe to make your way but start here! It's great the way it is for a family with small children, but you might want to double the recipe for 4. Thx! I'll keep this one handy! Served over Basmati white rice simmered - covered tightly in beef broth for 20 min.

rob

12/04/2023 02:14:23 PM

Made it using low sodium soy sauce, and after the tomatoes I put a dash of white pepper. I believe it’s all in the meat, I let it sit in the brine for a bit for more flavor before putting in wok. Don’t overcook the veggies, cooked but crunchy. Loved the flavor👍

Somy Ramos

07/23/2021 09:42:08 PM

This is just plain delish! I’ve made it many times and keep getting requests. The only thing I do differently is make a second batch of the marinade and add it when I add the peppers. That’s it!

WILDE

03/27/2021 01:32:51 AM

I double the marinade because we like it and poured the remainder of it in the pan and let it cook for 5 more minutes... Yummy!!

CopperFlan1863

11/29/2023 12:11:48 AM

I am an Asian food junkie and I loved this recipe. I did use fresh ginger and local honey instead of sugar. My main change was that I cooked the beef for about 6 minutes at fairly high temp and removed it to a covered dish. I then cooked all the vegetables in order of slowest cooking to fastest in the pan juices then re-added the beef and stirred until warmed through and well combined.

Lisa Barnett

11/27/2023 11:42:46 PM

This is a wonderful recipe. Just a little hint - if the steak is partially frozen - your cuts will be more precise and the meat won't wiggle as much! Plus I added a little pinch of red pepper flakes YUMMY Lisa Barnett

Robert Rowe

08/12/2025 10:50:07 PM

Terrific! Hmmm: I have a penchant for real ginger, so I shredded half cubic inch of raw root, tossing that in on the onion stage "fry" (sauté). No hurt to the dish for us ginger people. I also used very thin cooked steak. Marinaded, nonetheless. Throwing that in with the ginger/onion stage to great effect.

Debra

08/11/2025 05:28:30 PM

This was a family favorite recipe that I lost in a move. So glad to find it here. It is delicious! One of the Best Recipes Ever! Thank you.

Elmer Loven

07/31/2025 10:36:01 PM

I will definitely be making this again.

TimidDip8827

06/04/2025 03:16:43 PM

I used sweet white onion instead of red onion and added snow peas. Next time, I would cut the recipe in half for 2 people. Easy to make. Great flavor.

Elizabeth Evans

03/13/2025 11:03:05 PM

Made it twice this week already.

Vickie Dever

03/03/2025 11:27:16 PM

As written

eitalk58

02/28/2025 04:22:44 AM

very tasty and easy to make.

BMCDON4

02/18/2025 02:43:43 AM

I substituted a red pepper for the tomatoes. Delicious recipe. I’ve made it several times and it’s always very good. We love it!

Carole219

02/08/2025 11:00:33 PM

I made this just like the recipe says. My husband & I love it. We have it with rice & it's awesome! Quick, easy & very tasty! I've made it several times.