This pepper steak recipe is a quick, flavorful dish that’s perfect for when you’re craving a hearty meal. With tender ribeye steak, sautéed bell peppers, and onions in a rich sauce kissed with tomato, it’s a savory dish that’s perfect over white rice. A delicious, simple meal that’s both satisfying and easy to make!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 to 2 ½ pounds ribeye steaks, sliced into thin strips

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 2 tablespoons flour

• 2–3 tablespoons avocado oil

• 2 small onions, sliced thin

• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning

• ½ teaspoon paprika

• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika

• ¼ teaspoon white pepper

• 3 medium-large bell peppers (green, red, or yellow), thinly sliced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 5 tablespoons tomato paste

• ½ cup beef stock/broth

• Rice or your favorite side to serve

• Chopped green onions, for garnish

Directions

1. Prepare the Steak: Add sliced steak to a bowl, season with salt and black pepper, then sprinkle with flour and toss to coat evenly.

2. Sear the Steak: Heat oil in a large heavy-bottom skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the steak in batches for about 2 minutes per side until browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.

3. Sauté Onions and Spices: Add more oil to the pan, then sauté onions for 10 minutes until golden brown. Add Italian seasoning, paprika, smoked paprika, and white pepper, and stir to combine.

4. Cook the Bell Peppers and Garlic: Add sliced bell peppers and sauté with onions for about 2 minutes until softened but still slightly crisp. Stir in garlic and cook until aromatic.

5. Make the Sauce: Stir in tomato paste, then pour in beef stock/broth. Stir to create a rich sauce and adjust seasoning as needed.

6. Combine and Simmer: Return the seared steak to the pan, stir everything together, and simmer for 1 minute to warm through.

7. Serve: Serve over white rice, garnished with chopped green onions or parsley.

Nutritional Value (per serving)

• Calories: 531 kcal

• Fat: 30g

• Carbohydrates: 15g

• Protein: 52g

• Sodium: 680mg

• Fiber: 3g

• Sugar: 7g

This pepper steak is full of bold, savory flavors and tender meat, making it a perfect dish for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying meal any time.

The Perfect Steak for Pepper Steak

The key to a great Pepper Steak lies in the choice of meat. Ribeye steak is an excellent option for this dish due to its rich marbling and tenderness. When sliced thinly, ribeye becomes perfect for quick cooking, ensuring that the beef remains tender and juicy in the final dish. The beef is seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and a dusting of flour before being seared in a hot skillet. This process helps create a flavorful brown crust on the steak that enhances the overall taste.

Searing the steak in batches is crucial to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can cause the steak to steam rather than brown. This way, the meat retains its juiciness and forms the perfect crispy edges that are so desirable in a stir-fried steak dish.

Sautéing the Vegetables: Flavorful Bell Peppers and Onions

Bell peppers and onions are the heart of the vegetable component in this dish. These vegetables add a natural sweetness and crunch that balance the rich, savory beef. The onions are sautéed slowly until golden brown, releasing their natural sugars and becoming wonderfully caramelized. This sweetness complements the smokiness of the paprika and the depth of flavor in the beef broth.

The bell peppers, which come in a variety of colors, provide vibrant color and freshness. A mixture of green, red, and yellow bell peppers not only adds visual appeal to the dish but also different layers of flavor. Cooking the bell peppers just enough to soften them but leave a little bite ensures they remain crisp and flavorful, enhancing the texture of the dish.

The Flavorful Sauce: A Rich and Savory Blend

The sauce for this Pepper Steak is simple yet packed with flavor. It begins with the addition of tomato paste, which provides a rich, deep flavor that melds beautifully with the beef stock. The beef stock or broth adds both depth and moisture to the dish, creating a savory sauce that envelops the steak and vegetables.

Italian seasoning, paprika, smoked paprika, and white pepper add layers of complexity and warmth. The paprika gives the dish a subtle smoky flavor, while the white pepper adds a delicate heat that isn’t overpowering but adds that comforting spice.

The sauce is then brought together with a quick simmer after the beef is added back to the pan. This short cook time ensures the steak remains tender while absorbing all the flavors of the sauce. The result is a perfectly balanced, rich sauce that coats the tender steak and vegetables.

Serving the Pepper Steak

Pepper Steak is best served over a bed of white rice, which helps soak up the flavorful sauce. The rice provides a neutral base that complements the boldness of the steak and vegetables. You can also serve it with other side dishes of your choice, such as mashed potatoes or a simple green salad, for a well-rounded meal.

To finish, garnish the dish with chopped green onions or parsley for a touch of color and freshness. The garnish adds a slight crunch and a bit of sharpness to contrast with the rich flavors of the beef and sauce.

The Versatility of Pepper Steak

One of the great things about Pepper Steak is its versatility. You can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your preferences. If you like more heat, you can increase the amount of white pepper or even add a pinch of red pepper flakes. If you’re not a fan of certain vegetables, feel free to swap the bell peppers with other vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, or even snap peas.

The recipe also works well with other cuts of beef, like sirloin or flank steak, which are leaner alternatives to ribeye. Just keep in mind that leaner cuts may require slightly shorter cooking times to ensure they don’t become tough.

Nutritional Value

Pepper Steak is a well-balanced dish with a good amount of protein, healthy fats, and some carbohydrates from the vegetables and rice. A typical serving contains around 531 calories, with 30 grams of fat and 52 grams of protein, making it a filling meal that will leave you satisfied. It’s also relatively low in carbohydrates, with only 15 grams per serving, making it a good option for those following a lower-carb diet.

The dish provides 3 grams of fiber, mainly from the vegetables, and 7 grams of sugar, which comes naturally from the bell peppers and onions. It also delivers a good amount of sodium (680 mg) due to the beef stock and seasonings, so it’s something to be mindful of if you’re watching your salt intake.

Conclusion

Pepper Steak is a quick, easy, and flavorful dish that can be prepared in under 30 minutes. With tender ribeye steak, sautéed vegetables, and a rich savory sauce, it’s the perfect meal for a busy weeknight or a cozy weekend dinner. The simple seasoning and balance of flavors make this dish satisfying without being overly complex. Whether served over rice or another side, this Pepper Steak recipe is sure to become a favorite in your dinner rotation.