Savory Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions Recipe Worth Mastering

Culinary adventures often spark unexpected delight when discovering a mouthwatering chinese pepper steak that promises intense flavor profiles.

Beef cuts seared to perfection invite passionate home cooks into a world of savory exploration.

Tender strips dancing with caramelized onions create a symphony of textures that tantalize the palate.

Aromatic spices weave through each bite, promising a meal that transcends ordinary dinner expectations.

Fragrant ingredients blend seamlessly, turning an everyday protein into something extraordinary.

Skilled techniques make this dish accessible, even for those with minimal cooking experience.

You can recreate restaurant-quality magic right in your own kitchen with confidence and ease.

Chinese Pepper Steak With Onions You’ll Want On Repeat

• Quick Weeknight Wonder: Whip up this pepper steak in just 25 minutes, perfect for busy families craving delicious Asian-inspired meals without complex cooking techniques.
• Flavor-Packed Marinade Magic: Infuse beef strips with a mouthwatering blend of soy sauce, oyster sauce, ginger, and garlic, creating deep, restaurant-quality taste in your own kitchen.
• One-Pan Convenience: Minimize cleanup by using the same skillet for sautéing onions, searing beef, and creating a glossy, rich sauce that coats every bite perfectly.
• Budget-Friendly Protein Powerhouse: Transform affordable beef strips into a gourmet-tasting dish that satisfies hunger and delivers maximum flavor without breaking the bank.

What’s Stir-Fried in Pepper Steak

• Beef Strips: Tender meat cuts for a hearty, protein-packed meal. Choose flank steak or sirloin for optimal tenderness and flavor.

• Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce: Adds deep umami flavor and helps tenderize the meat. Choose low-sodium soy sauce for better control of saltiness.
• Hoisin Sauce: Sweet and tangy base for the sauce, providing rich Chinese-style flavor.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds bright, acidic balance to the dish.

• Ginger, Garlic: Classic Asian flavor enhancers that provide depth and warmth. Fresh is always best for maximum flavor.
• Sesame Oil: Nutty, fragrant oil that adds authentic Chinese cuisine aroma.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Basic seasonings for enhancing overall taste.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil for high-heat cooking and preventing sticking.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce and create a glossy finish.
• Onions: Sweet, caramelized base that adds texture and mild sweetness.

• Steamed Rice, Noodles: Traditional accompaniments that soak up the delicious sauce.

Stir-Frying Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions

Step 1: Craft Flavor-Packed Marinade

• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Fresh ginger
• Minced garlic
• Sesame oil

Lovingly coat beef strips in the marinade and let them soak up all those incredible flavors for 10-15 minutes.

Step 2: Transform Onions into Golden Delights

Grab a skillet and warm up some vegetable oil over medium heat.

Toss in sliced onions and cook them until they become soft and develop a gorgeous caramel-like color.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then scoop them out and set aside.

Step 3: Sear Beef to Perfection

Crank up the heat in the same pan and add more vegetable oil.

Drop in the marinated beef strips and create a sizzling symphony, stirring quickly until they turn a beautiful golden brown.

Step 4: Whip Up a Glossy Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Cornstarch

Pour the sauce over the beef and watch it transform into a luscious, thick coating.

Step 5: Bring Everything Together

Reunite the caramelized onions with the beef in the pan.

Gently stir to marry all the flavors.

Serve this stunning dish over fluffy steamed rice or tender noodles.

Get ready for a flavor explosion that’ll make your taste buds dance!

Chinese Steak Stir-Fry Expertise

• Let the beef soak in the marinade for at least 10 minutes to ensure deep, rich flavor penetration into every strip of meat.
• Use a high-heat setting and avoid overcrowding the pan to get those beautiful, crispy brown edges on your beef strips without steaming them.
• Adjust the cornstarch ratio in the sauce to make it thicker or thinner based on your preference – a little goes a long way in creating that glossy, restaurant-style finish.
• Replace beef with tofu or chicken for a flexible protein alternative that still captures the delicious pepper steak essence and works great for different dietary needs.
• Sprinkle some chopped green onions or sesame seeds on top just before serving to add a pop of color and extra layer of fresh flavor to the dish.

Pepper Steak That Reheats With a Sizzle

• Store leftover pepper steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Let the dish cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Warm the steak in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying. Stir gently until heated through, about 3-4 minutes.
• Place steak in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warm.
• Freeze pepper steak in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain the best texture and flavor.

Balanced Picks For Pepper Steak

• Perfectly Pair Pepper Steak with
• Harmonize Wines to Elevate Flavor: Choose a bold Zinfandel or medium-bodied Syrah to complement the rich, savory meat, cutting through the sauce's intensity with their robust tannic profiles.
• Craft Refreshing Side Companions: Prepare a crisp cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame seeds, offering a cool, light contrast to the steak's warm, spicy essence and balancing the dish's hearty texture.
• Select Complementary Beverage Options: Brew a cold Asian-style lager like Tsingtao or Sapporo, whose clean, light character will refresh the palate and match the recipe's umami-packed marinade without overwhelming the delicate beef flavors.
• Enhance with Aromatic Garnish: Sprinkle fresh chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds on top, adding a bright, nutty dimension that lifts the steak's deep, complex taste and provides a delightful textural crunch.

Pepper Steak Onion Mix-Ins

• Gluten-Free Pepper Steak: Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, and use gluten-free cornstarch for thickening the sauce.
• Vegan Protein Swap: Substitute beef strips with firm tofu or seitan, marinating in the same sauce for a plant-based alternative.
• Low-Carb Option: Skip the rice and serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate intake.
• Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the marinade for an extra kick of heat and depth of flavor.

FAQs

• Why marinate the beef before cooking?

Marinating helps tenderize the meat, infuse deep flavors, and ensure the beef remains juicy and flavorful during high-heat cooking.

• Can I use a different cut of beef?

Flank steak or sirloin work great as alternatives to the traditional beef strips. Choose cuts that are lean and can be quickly stir-fried.

• What makes this dish authentically Chinese?

The combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and quick stir-frying technique reflects traditional Chinese cooking methods, creating a balance of savory and umami flavors.

• How do I prevent the beef from becoming tough?

Cook the beef on high heat for a short time, avoid overcrowding the pan, and don’t overcook. Quick stir-frying helps maintain the meat’s tenderness and prevents it from becoming chewy.

Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions delivers a symphony of bold flavors that dance across tender beef strips. Savory spices and caramelized onions create an irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 lb (450g) beef strips (sirloin or ribeye)

Primary Cooking Oils and Aromatics:

• 5 tablespoons (75g) vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon (15g) grated fresh ginger

Sauces and Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons (45g) soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons (45g) oyster sauce (optional)
• 2 tablespoons (30g) hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15g) rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon (15g) cornstarch
• 1 large onion, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Infuse robust flavor into beef strips by whisking together aromatic soy sauce, umami-rich oyster sauce, minced ginger, crushed garlic, and fragrant sesame oil in a mixing bowl.
2. Immerse beef strips completely in marinade, allowing ingredients to meld and tenderize for 10-15 minutes at room temperature.
3. Warm vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat, creating a golden cooking surface for sliced onions.
4. Sauté onions until translucent and edges caramelize, developing deep, sweet undertones. Sprinkle with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor complexity.
5. Transfer caramelized onions to a separate plate, reserving pan for subsequent cooking stages.
6. Increase skillet temperature to high, adding fresh vegetable oil to create an ideal searing environment.
7. Introduce marinated beef strips, ensuring each piece makes direct contact with hot surface to develop rich, crispy exterior.
8. Rapidly stir-fry beef for 2-3 minutes, achieving perfect golden-brown coloration without overcooking.
9. Craft an elegant sauce by whisking together concentrated soy sauce, sweet hoisin, tangy rice vinegar, and cornstarch for thickening.
10. Pour sauce mixture over sizzling beef, allowing liquid to reduce and coat meat with glossy, flavorful glaze.
11. Reintegrate caramelized onions into skillet, gently folding to distribute sauce and reheat vegetables.
12. Plate steaming hot over fluffy steamed rice or tender noodles, presenting a vibrant, restaurant-quality pepper steak.

Notes

• Choose lean cuts like sirloin or flank steak for more tender and flavorful results, trimming excess fat before slicing.
• Marinate beef at room temperature to help proteins absorb flavors more effectively and ensure even cooking.
• Cut beef against the grain into thin, uniform strips to guarantee maximum tenderness and quicker cooking time.
• Maintain high heat while stir-frying to achieve that signature restaurant-style sear and prevent meat from becoming tough or rubbery.
• Adjust sauce thickness by adding more cornstarch for a thicker consistency or more liquid for a lighter coating.
• Replace beef with tofu or chicken for dietary variations, keeping marinade and cooking technique identical.
• Enhance nutritional profile by adding colorful bell peppers or snap peas during the stir-frying process for extra crunch and vitamins.
• For low-sodium diets, use reduced-sodium soy sauce and control salt content by seasoning gradually.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 75mg