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Savor the Bold Flavors of Black Pepper Beef Like Never Before - Featured Image

Savor the Bold Flavors of Black Pepper Beef Like Never Before

Learn how to make delicious Black Pepper Beef. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 pound flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium if preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional but recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil or any neutral cooking oil
  • 1 large onion, sliced into thin wedges
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
  • 1/2 cup beef broth or water
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional for extra aroma)
  • 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Substitution tips: If you don’t have oyster sauce, a splash of hoisin sauce or extra soy sauce works fine. For the beef broth, vegetable broth or water with a pinch of bouillon will do. You can swap bell peppers for snap peas or broccoli if your fridge is looking sparse.

Instructions

  1. Start by slicing your beef thinly against the grain. This helps keep the meat tender—trust me, I learned this the hard way after serving some tough strips to my kids once. Toss the beef slices in soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch. Mix well and set aside to marinate for about 10 minutes while you prep your veggies.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering hot, add the marinated beef in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if needed. Let the beef sear undisturbed for about 1-2 minutes, then stir-fry until browned but not fully cooked through. Remove the beef and set aside.
  3. In the same pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Toss in the sliced onions and bell peppers. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until they are slightly tender but still crisp. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant—this is where the kitchen starts smelling like dinner magic.
  4. Return the beef to the pan. Sprinkle the freshly cracked black pepper over everything. Add the brown sugar and pour in the beef broth. Stir well to combine and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef and veggies.
  5. Turn off the heat and drizzle the sesame oil over the dish if using. Give it a final stir and taste for seasoning—add a little more soy sauce or black pepper if you want it punchier.
  6. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped green onions. My kids love it over steamed jasmine rice, and honestly, it’s one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day.

  • Author: Jenny
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Cooking
  • Cuisine: International

Keywords: Black Pepper Beef, recipe, cooking, food