Here’s a delicious recipe for Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions—a perfect dish with tender beef, flavorful sauce, and vibrant peppers, all served sizzling hot!
Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions
Ingredients:
- 1 lb flank steak (or sirloin), thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for searing)
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 bell pepper (green or red), thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional, for extra depth of flavor)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (for sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch (for thickening)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- 1/2 cup water (or beef broth for extra flavor)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Beef:
- Thinly slice the flank steak against the grain into bite-sized strips. This helps ensure the beef stays tender when cooked.
- In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, ground black pepper, and 1/2 cup water (or beef broth). Stir until the cornstarch is dissolved and the sauce ingredients are combined. Set aside.
2. Sear the Beef:
- Heat a large skillet or wok over high heat. Once it’s hot, add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
- Add the sliced beef in a single layer and sear for about 2-3 minutes, allowing it to brown and get a bit crispy on the edges. Do this in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Remove the beef from the pan and set aside.
3. Stir-Fry the Vegetables:
- In the same pan, add a bit more oil if needed, and sauté the sliced onions, bell pepper, and garlic over medium-high heat for about 3-4 minutes, until they are slightly tender but still crisp. Add the grated ginger and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for another minute.
4. Combine and Cook the Sauce:
- Add the cooked beef back into the pan with the vegetables. Stir to combine.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the beef and vegetables. Stir to coat everything evenly. Let it cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and everything to get heated through.
5. Serve:
- Serve the sizzling pepper steak hot, straight from the pan, with steamed rice or noodles. For the full “sizzling” experience, you can transfer the cooked dish to a pre-heated sizzling platter or cast-iron skillet for dramatic effect. Garnish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped green onions or cilantro if desired.
Tips:
- Sizzling Effect: To get the classic sizzling sound when serving, heat your cast-iron skillet or platter in the oven before adding the hot food. Drizzle a little oil on the hot plate right before serving.
- Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms, baby corn, or snap peas for extra texture and flavor.
- Sweetness Level: Adjust the brown sugar to your liking for a sweeter or more savory sauce.
This Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions is packed with savory, slightly sweet flavors and perfectly tender beef. It’s a quick and easy stir-fry that delivers big on taste! Enjoy!