Maria's Pepper Steak – A Savory, Tender Beef and Bell Pepper Skillet Dinner
Maria's Pepper Steak is an easy, one-pan beef dinner featuring tender strips of steak, colorful bell peppers, onions, and a rich savory sauce. The beef is marinated for maximum tenderness before being quickly stir-fried with fresh vegetables. Everything comes together in under an hour, making it an excellent weeknight dinner. Serve it over rice or noodles for a complete, satisfying meal. This comforting recipe is simple enough for beginners yet flavorful enough for special family dinners.
Ingredients
For the Beef
- 1½ pounds flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Vegetables
- 1 large green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 large red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For the Sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine the sliced beef with soy sauce, cornstarch, oil, garlic powder, and black pepper. Marinate for 20 minutes.
- Whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar.
- Mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the beef for 2–3 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Add the onions and bell peppers to the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Return the beef to the skillet and pour in the sauce.
- Bring to a simmer, then stir in the cornstarch slurry. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 2–3 minutes.
- Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- Slice the beef against the grain for maximum tenderness.
- Marinating improves flavor and texture.
- Fresh bell peppers provide the best crunch.
- Avoid overcooking the beef.
- Adjust soy sauce for your preferred saltiness.
- Add mushrooms for extra flavor.
- Leftovers store well for up to 3 days.
- The recipe doubles easily for larger families.