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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Immerse beef strips completely in marinade, allowing ingredients to meld and tenderize for 10-15 minutes at room temperature.
- Warm vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat, creating a golden cooking surface for sliced onions.
- Sauté onions until translucent and edges caramelize, developing deep, sweet undertones. Sprinkle with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Transfer caramelized onions to a separate plate, reserving pan for subsequent cooking stages.
- Increase skillet temperature to high, adding fresh vegetable oil to create an ideal searing environment.
- Introduce marinated beef strips, ensuring each piece makes direct contact with hot surface to develop rich, crispy exterior.
- Rapidly stir-fry beef for 2-3 minutes, achieving perfect golden-brown coloration without overcooking.
- Craft an elegant sauce by whisking together concentrated soy sauce, sweet hoisin, tangy rice vinegar, and cornstarch for thickening.
- Pour sauce mixture over sizzling beef, allowing liquid to reduce and coat meat with glossy, flavorful glaze.
- Reintegrate caramelized onions into skillet, gently folding to distribute sauce and reheat vegetables.
- 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