Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions is a flavorful and aromatic dish that’s sure to impress. Tender beef, bell peppers, and onions are stir-fried in a savory sauce, creating a delicious balance of flavors with a little kick of heat. Here’s a simple recipe to make this sizzling dish at home.
Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions Recipe
Ingredients:
- For the Marinade:
- 1 lb (450g) flank steak or sirloin steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- For the Stir-Fry:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, freshly grated or minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (optional)
- 1/4 cup water or beef broth
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1-2 teaspoons chili flakes or crushed black pepper (optional, for spice)
- Sizzling plate or hot skillet (optional for serving)
Instructions:
1. Marinate the Beef:
- In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, cornstarch, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and black pepper. Add the thinly sliced steak to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Let it marinate for at least 20-30 minutes (you can marinate for up to 1 hour for more flavor).
2. Prepare the Stir-Fry Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce (if using), and water or broth. Set aside.
3. Sauté the Vegetables:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion and bell peppers. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, or until they begin to soften but still have some crispness. Remove the vegetables from the pan and set them aside.
4. Stir-Fry the Beef:
- In the same skillet or wok, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the beef is browned and cooked through, but still tender.
- Add the minced garlic and ginger to the beef and stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
5. Combine:
- Return the cooked onions and bell peppers to the pan with the beef. Add the stir-fry sauce and stir to coat all the ingredients. Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld together. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can mix a little extra cornstarch with water and add it to the pan.
6. Add Spice (Optional):
- For some heat, sprinkle in the chili flakes or extra black pepper. Adjust the seasoning to your taste, adding more soy sauce or vinegar if needed.
7. Serve:
- Serve the sizzling Chinese pepper steak hot, ideally on a sizzling plate for a dramatic presentation, or in a warm skillet. Garnish with additional sliced green onions, and enjoy with steamed rice or noodles!
Tips:
- Tenderizing the Beef: Flank steak or sirloin works well for this recipe, but make sure to slice against the grain for maximum tenderness. You can also tenderize the beef by lightly scoring it with a knife.
- Adjust the Spice: Adjust the level of spice by adding more or fewer chili flakes or crushed black pepper depending on your preference.
- Sizzling Effect: For the sizzling experience, heat a cast-iron skillet or a sizzling plate in the oven or on the stovetop, and then transfer the beef and veggies to the plate right before serving.
Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions is a quick and flavorful dish that brings a taste of Chinese cuisine to your home kitchen. With the right balance of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors, this dish is perfect for any occasion. Enjoy!