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Close-up shot of flavorful Chinese Pepper Steak, a delicious and colorful Asian-inspired meal.

BEST CHINESE PEPPER STEAK

This recipe delivers tender, flavorful Chinese pepper steak that rivals restaurant versions. Velveting the steak and layering flavors in the sauce are key to achieving perfection, along with quick stir-frying at high heat to maintain vegetable crispness.
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound flank steak or sirloin steak, thinly sliced against the grain
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda optional, for extra tenderness
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch ginger, minced
  • 1 large green bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium yellow onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms optional
  • Cooked rice or noodles for serving
  • Sesame seeds or chopped green onions for garnish optional

Equipment

  • cutting board
  • knife
  • Medium bowl
  • small bowl
  • whisk
  • Large wok or skillet
  • spatula
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cups

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Steak: In a medium bowl, combine the sliced steak with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, cornstarch, sesame oil, and baking soda (if using). Mix well and let marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
  2. Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, and white pepper. Set aside. In a separate small bowl, whisk together beef broth and cornstarch until smooth. Set aside.
  3. Stir-fry the Vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat. Add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Add the bell peppers and onion and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, or until slightly softened but still crisp. Remove the vegetables from the wok and set aside.
  4. Cook the Steak: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the wok. Add the marinated steak and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, or until browned but not fully cooked through. Remove the steak from the wok and set aside.
  5. Combine and Thicken: Pour the beef broth mixture into the wok and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce begins to thicken. Add the soy sauce mixture and stir to combine.
  6. Finish the Dish: Add the cooked steak and vegetables back to the wok. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes, or until the steak is cooked to your desired doneness and the sauce has thickened to your liking.
  7. Serve: Serve immediately over rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions, if desired.

Notes

For extra tender steak, use the baking soda. Marinating the steak for the full 2 hours will yield the best results. You can substitute dry sherry for Shaoxing wine. To prevent overcrowding the pan, cook the steak and vegetables in batches. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.