Black Pepper Beef Stir Fry is an easy Chinese recipe made with steak, veggies, ground black pepper and a stir fry sauce.
Many people expect that preparing a classy dish as steak takes much time, but this pepper steak recipe will prove them wrong. This dish is a delicious Chinese stir fry that is quick and easy to make without compromising the taste of the food.
Pepper Steak Stir Fry Recipe
This dish has a tender texture with a juicy and rich flavor. The thick sauce also makes it more satisfying than any other steak recipe. Even just a tiny bite from the beef will already give you a powerful bursting flavor.
This dish is excellent for a family dinner but can be served during lunchtime too. It is the ideal dish of all time, especially when the in-laws are around since Black Pepper Beef gives off an elegant vibe with a savory taste perfect for family meals. You can serve them a high-class dish with budget-friendly ingredients, just like you’re in a fine dining resto!
Speaking of ingredients, Black Pepper Beef Recipe highlights the flavors of its condiments, from garlic and onion to the sauce that contributes to the richness of its texture. This recipe provides step-by-step instructions on cooking the best Black Pepper Beef at home to make this dish perfectly.
Where Did Pepper Beef Originate?
Pepper beef steak is famous in the western part of the world, yet, surprisingly, the recipe did not come from that part of the globe. Pepper steak was first made in the Province of Fujian in China. Thus, pepper steak is considered a Fujian Cuisine, and most of the dishes in this cuisine are expected to have a light yet flavourful and tender umami taste.
Pepper steak is made up of sliced beef steak. One may use either flank, sirloin, or round; but most people use sirloin, especially in restaurants. This recipe is usually seasoned and cooked with sliced bell peppers, soy sauce, and ginger and usually thickened with cornstarch.
Lawton Mackall wrote in his article for New York's cuisine tips that it was only in 1948 that pepper steak made its first appearance in the United States of America. And even then, the dish was already recognized to be that of Fujian Province. Eventually, pepper steak became so popular in different parts of the world that the original recipe got altered here and there. Today, there are already hundreds of variations on how pepper steak is made.
Why Does This Recipe Works?
Recipes for steaks or pepper beef, whichever you prefer to call it, are all over the internet. Vloggers and bloggers alike in the field of cooking are majorly interested in sharing their ways of cooking the perfect steak for guests or family members. However, this particular recipe is the must-try among any other recipe for this dish because of the following reasons:
- You may serve it on all occasions.
- There are no age requirements to enjoy this delightful dish!
- Ingredients can be bought at the nearest market, and they are not costly at all!
- Preparation and cooking time won't take that long.
What's In This Black Pepper Beef Recipe?
- Steak. If you want a flavorful steak, sirloin is the best choice for you. It is savory with a deep beef taste, and it is leaner than any other steak available. The bold beef flavor from sirloin is suitable for recipes with a sauce such as this particular Black Pepper Beef Recipe.
- Ground Black Pepper. The pine flavor notes of ground black pepper are a perfect complement to the individual and natural flavor of the steak.
- Salt. Adding salt to the steak makes it less dry when it is already cooked since the salt draws out the beef's juices.
- Sunflower Oil. Sunflower oil has a high smoke point which will withstand the heat from frying the steak.
- Onion. Onions help to flavor the steak, but it also tenderizes it since onions have enzymes that break down the proteins of the beef, and once those proteins were broken down, the meat becomes tender.
- Bell Pepper. Don't forget to add bell pepper to season your sauce and steak.
- Garlic. Another flavoring agent for this recipe is garlic, don't forget to add some to enhance the overall flavors of the dish.
- Ginger. Add fresh ginger for a bit of spice.
- Cornflour. Thicken your sauce with cornflour!
- Beef Stock. Provide a more beefy flavor to the dish by adding beef stock to the sauce!
- Dark Soy Sauce. Dark soy sauce adds color to the food, and it also contributes a strong flavor that boosts the other ingredients.
- Oyster Sauce. Oyster sauce isn't just your typical sauce for seasonings since it is loaded with various flavors.
- Rice Vinegar. Add the right amount of rice vinegar to your sauce for a vinegary, and spicy flavor!
How to Make Black Pepper Beef Stir Fry?
Making the sauce: In a jug or mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, cornflour, oyster sauce, beef stock, rice vinegar and 1 teaspoon of black pepper.
Preparing the beef: Wash the steak, pat dry with a paper towel, slice thinly, then toss with salt and the remaining 1 teaspoon ground black pepper.
Fry the steak: In a larger wok, half of the oil over high heat, add the steak, fry for 3 minutes or until browned (stir occasionally).
Transfer the steak to a plate and set it aside.
Fry the veggies: In the same wok, add the remaining oil, lower the heat to medium and add bell pepper and onion; fry until soften.
Add minced ginger and garlic, cook for 1 minute.
Now, add the sauce, stir until combined.
Add the steak back to the wok, stir well with the sauce, cook for 2-3 minutes, and then turn off the heat and serve.
Top Tips!
- If you prefer a thinner texture for sauce, add some water but make sure to add more beef stock so that the taste won't be bland.
- Stir fry your onions a little longer to produce a more caramelized flavor that will complement the steak.
Recipe Variations
- Pair your ground black pepper with drops of honey for a sweet, sour, and hint of spice flavor.
- If sunflower oil is unavailable, you may use olive oil instead since it has the same high smoke point.
Serving Suggestions
Have pepper steak at dinner with rice, either fluffy boiled rice or egg fried rice. For a more Asian dinner vibe, serve it with chicken lo mein and/or spring rolls.
Recipe FAQs
You must have added more soy sauce than cornstarch. Be mindful of pouring soy sauce since it makes the texture runny. Add more cornstarch as well for a thicker consistency.
Place the leftover Black Pepper Beef in an airtight container before placing it inside the freezer. Reheat it in an oven when you plan to serve it again. You may keep the dish in the freezer for a week.
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Easy Black Pepper Beef Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 500 g steak , sliced thinly
- 2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper , divided
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoon sunflower oil
- 2 onions , peeled and chopped into thick slices
- 2 bell peppers , deseeded and sliced
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger , minced
For the sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoon oyster Sauce
- 2 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- ½ cup beef stock
- 2 tablespoon cornflour
Instructions
- Making the sauce: In a jug or mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, cornflour, oyster sauce, beef stock, rice vinegar and 1 teaspoon of black pepper.
- Wash the steak, pat dry with a paper towel, slice thinly, then toss with salt and the remaining 1 teaspoon ground black pepper.
- In a larger wok, half of the oil over high heat, add the steak, fry for 3 minutes or until browned (stir occasionally).
- Transfer the steak to a plate and set it aside.
- In the same wok, add the remaining oil, lower the heat to medium and add bell pepper and onion; fry until soften.
- Add minced ginger and garlic, cook for 1 minute.
- Now, add the sauce, stir until combined.
- Add the steak back to the wok, stir well with the sauce, cook for 2-3 minutes, and then turn off the heat and serve.
Notes
- If you prefer a thinner texture for sauce, add some water but make sure to add more beef stock so that the taste won't be bland.
- Stir fry your onions a little longer to produce a more caramelized flavor that will complement the steak.
Nutrition
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Delicious Chinese stir-fry beef. So flavourful, I loved it.