Black Pepper Beef Stir-Fry

Black Pepper Beef Stir-Fry is a easy Chinese recipe that serves 4. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by The Yellow Rice on YouTube.

Prep: 25 min | Cook: 6 min | Total: 46 min

Cost: $7.27 total, $1.82 per serving

Ingredients

  • 400 g Beef (rump steak or flank) (Thinly sliced 1-2 mm, against the grain)
  • 1 c. à soupe Light soy sauce (For the marinade)
  • 0,5 c. à café Baking soda (Helps tenderize the meat)
  • 1 c. à soupe Potato or corn starch (To coat the meat)
  • 2 c. à soupe Vegetable oil (sunflower or canola) (For cooking and mixing)
  • 0,5 piece Onion (Diced)
  • 0,5 piece Red bell pepper (Core and cut into squares)
  • 0,5 piece Green bell pepper (Core and cut into squares)
  • 1 clove Garlic clove (Minced)
  • 1 c. à soupe Light soy sauce (for the sauce)
  • 1 c. à café Dark soy sauce
  • 1 c. à soupe Shaoxing cooking wine (Chinese wine)
  • 1 c. à soupe Oyster sauce
  • 1 c. à café Sesame oil
  • 1 c. à café Ground black pepper (Can be adjusted to taste)
  • 4 c. à soupe Water
  • 2 stalks Scallion (for garnish) (Thinly sliced)

Instructions

  1. Beef Marinade

    Cut the beef into very thin slices (1‑2 mm). Place them in a bowl, add 1 c. à soupe of light soy sauce, 0,5 c. à café of baking soda, 1 c. à soupe of starch and 2 c. à soupe of oil. Mix well and let rest for 10 minutes.

    Time: PT10M

  2. Vegetable Preparation

    Thinly slice the onion, cut the red and green bell peppers into squares, and mince the garlic.

    Time: PT10M

  3. Sauce Preparation

    In a small bowl, combine 1 c. à soupe of light soy sauce, 1 c. à café of dark soy sauce, 1 c. à soupe of Shaoxing wine, 1 c. à soupe of oyster sauce, 1 c. à café of sesame oil, 1 c. à café of ground black pepper and 4 c. à soupe of water.

    Time: PT5M

  4. Sear the beef

    Heat the wok over high heat, add 1 c. à soupe of oil and stir‑fry the beef for 30 seconds to 1 minute until just colored. Remove and set aside.

    Time: PT1M

    Temperature: 220°C

  5. Sauté aromatics

    In the same wok, add the remaining oil, stir‑fry the onion and garlic for 30 seconds over medium‑high heat.

    Time: PT30S

    Temperature: 200°C

  6. Cook the bell peppers

    Add the red and green peppers, stir‑fry for 1 minute while constantly stirring.

    Time: PT1M

    Temperature: 200°C

  7. Assembly and finishing

    Return the beef to the wok, pour in the prepared sauce, mix and cook for 2‑3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

    Time: PT3M

    Temperature: 180°C

  8. Plating

    Transfer the mixture to a serving dish, sprinkle with sliced scallions and serve immediately with fragrant rice.

    Time: PT1M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
350
Protein
25 g
Carbohydrates
12 g
Fat
18 g
Fiber
2 g

Dietary info: High in protein, Gluten‑free if gluten‑free soy sauce is used, low-carb, low-calorie

Allergens: Soy, Oyster (shellfish), Sesame

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Instead of Beef (rump steak or flank): Veal cutlet, Chicken
  • Instead of Light soy sauce: Light tamari
  • Instead of Potato or corn starch: Corn starch
  • Instead of Vegetable oil (sunflower or canola): Peanut oil
  • Instead of Red bell pepper: Yellow bell pepper
  • Instead of Green bell pepper: Yellow bell pepper
  • Instead of Light soy sauce (for the sauce): Light tamari
  • Instead of Dark soy sauce: Dark soy sauce
  • Instead of Shaoxing cooking wine (Chinese wine): Dry white wine
  • Instead of Oyster sauce: Mushroom sauce
  • Instead of Sesame oil: Toasted sesame oil
  • Instead of Ground black pepper: White pepper
  • Instead of Scallion (for garnish): Cilantro

Equipment Needed

  • Wok or large sauté pan
  • Wooden or silicone spatula
  • Cutting board
  • Chef’s knife
  • Mixing bowl
  • Measuring spoons
  • Small cup or bowl for the sauce
  • Serving plate

Critical Steps — Do Not Skip

  • Beef marination with baking soda to tenderize the meat
  • Sear the beef over very high heat without overcooking
  • Add the sauce and cook until thickened

Chef Tips from the Video

  • Use quality beef (rump steak or flank) for better texture
  • A drizzle of toasted sesame oil added at the end adds aromatic depth
  • Serve with jasmine rice or egg fried rice for a complete meal

Troubleshooting

Beef becomes tough

Make sure the beef is sliced very thin and that the cooking does not exceed 1 minute during the first stir‑fry. Use the baking soda correctly and do not marinate longer than 15 minutes.

Sauce is too watery

Cook an additional 1‑2 minutes over medium heat while stirring, or add an extra teaspoon of starch diluted in water.

Bell peppers are too soft

Cook them only 1 minute over high heat to keep crunch, or add them at the end.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days maximum

Freezer: Can be frozen for 1‑2 months, but the beef texture will be slightly different

Room temperature: Do not leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours

Make-Ahead Tips

  • Marinate the beef the night before in the refrigerator for even more tenderness
  • Pre‑cut the vegetables and prepare the sauce, then store them separately in the fridge

Last updated: September 6, 2026

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Black Pepper Beef Stir-Fry

Recipe by The Yellow Rice

A tender and flavorful beef stir-fried with colorful bell peppers, seasoned with black pepper and a fragrant soy‑egg sauce. Inspired by Chinese cuisine, this dish comes together quickly and pairs perfectly with fragrant rice.

EasyChineseServes 4

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Source Video
26m
Prep
5m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
41m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$7.27
Total cost
$1.82
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • • Beef marination with baking soda to tenderize the meat
  • • Sear the beef over very high heat without overcooking
  • • Add the sauce and cook until thickened

Safety Warnings

  • • Watch out for splattering hot oil
  • • Use a sharp knife to avoid slipping