Caribbean Pepper Steak is a flavorful, savory dish featuring tender sirloin steak stir-fried with colorful bell peppers, onions, and aromatic thyme, all brought together by a rich, savory sauce. The dish has a touch of Caribbean zest, enhanced by ginger and soy sauce, creating a delicious and vibrant meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Steak:

• 1 lb sirloin steak

• ¼ cup beef stock

• ½ green bell pepper, sliced

• ½ red bell pepper, sliced

• ¼ onion, thinly sliced

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce

• ½ tablespoon seasoning salt

• 1 ½ teaspoon cornstarch

• ½ teaspoon ginger paste (or freshly grated ginger)

• 2 teaspoons minced garlic

• 2 green onions, chopped

• 4 sprigs of thyme

• 2 tablespoons cooking oil

Directions

1. Prepare the Steak: Slice the sirloin steak into thin strips against the grain.

2. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix beef stock, soy sauce, seasoning salt, cornstarch, and ginger paste. Set aside.

3. Cook the Beef: Heat cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the steak strips in batches, stir-frying for 3-5 minutes until browned and cooked to your liking. Remove the steak and set aside.

4. Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add bell peppers, onion, garlic, and thyme. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables start to soften but still have some crunch.

5. Combine the Sauce and Beef: Return the steak to the skillet. Pour the sauce mixture over the steak and vegetables. Stir well to combine and let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens and coats the beef and vegetables.

6. Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot. Enjoy with rice, fried plantains, or a side of vegetables.

Nutrients

• Calories: 269 per serving

• Protein: 27.2g

• Carbohydrates: 10.3g

• Fat: 13.1g

• Sodium: 656mg

• Fiber: 2g

• Sugar: 4.3g

A Taste of the Caribbean

The magic of this dish lies in its blend of traditional Caribbean ingredients and cooking techniques. The sirloin steak, marinated in a savory sauce made with soy sauce, seasoning salt, ginger, and beef stock, creates a deeply flavorful base. The use of ginger adds a unique depth to the dish, providing both a subtle heat and freshness that pairs perfectly with the savory umami of soy sauce. Fresh thyme infuses the steak and vegetables with a fragrant, earthy note, while the bell peppers and onions contribute both sweetness and crunch.

The resulting flavor profile is well-balanced—savory, slightly tangy, and aromatic—with just enough heat and sweetness to make every bite exciting.

The Steak: Tender and Flavorful

For the best results, using sirloin steak in this recipe is key. Sirloin is tender and flavorful, making it ideal for stir-frying. The trick to ensuring tender pieces of steak is slicing it thinly against the grain, which helps break down the muscle fibers and makes the meat easier to chew. Once sliced, the steak strips are stir-fried quickly in batches, ensuring that each piece is browned on the outside while remaining juicy and tender inside.

The seasoning of the steak is simple but effective, with soy sauce and seasoning salt adding richness and depth of flavor, and the cornstarch helping to thicken the sauce and keep the beef succulent.

The Vegetables: Colorful and Crunchy

The vibrant bell peppers—green and red—are essential components of this dish. They add a burst of color and a mild sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the savory steak and the bold sauce. The bell peppers retain a satisfying crunch after stir-frying, providing texture to the dish that complements the tender beef. The onions also add sweetness and a slight bite, while the fresh thyme brings an herbal fragrance that elevates the overall dish.

The ginger, garlic, and green onions round out the vegetable mixture, adding aromatic heat and a fresh bite that enhance the Caribbean flavors.

The Sauce: Rich and Savory with a Touch of Sweetness

The sauce is what brings everything together in this dish, creating a rich, flavorful glaze that coats the beef and vegetables perfectly. The combination of beef stock, soy sauce, seasoning salt, cornstarch, and ginger paste creates a savory base with just the right amount of sweetness and umami. As the sauce simmers in the pan, it thickens and coats the ingredients, ensuring that every bite is full of flavor.

The cornstarch in the sauce not only thickens it, but also helps it stick to the steak and vegetables, making each bite a delightful combination of tender beef, crunchy vegetables, and flavorful sauce.

Cooking Instructions: Quick and Easy

This recipe is designed to be both quick and easy. After slicing the steak and preparing the sauce, it’s just a matter of stir-frying the beef and vegetables. The key is to cook the steak in batches, ensuring it’s seared properly before being removed from the pan. Then, the vegetables are stir-fried in the same skillet, picking up the leftover flavors from the beef. Once the steak returns to the skillet, the sauce is poured over the mixture and allowed to simmer until it thickens, creating a rich, flavorful coating on the beef and vegetables.

Serving Suggestions

Caribbean Pepper Steak is best served with a side of rice to soak up the delicious sauce. The savory beef and vegetables paired with fluffy rice make for a satisfying and well-rounded meal. For an extra Caribbean flair, consider serving the dish with fried plantains, which add a sweet contrast to the savory steak, or a side of roasted vegetables.

Nutritional Information

At 269 calories per serving, Caribbean Pepper Steak is a relatively light but filling dish, offering 27 grams of protein and 10.3 grams of carbohydrates. The 13.1 grams of fat in the dish are balanced by the use of lean sirloin steak and a moderate amount of cooking oil, making it a healthy option without sacrificing flavor. The dish also provides 2 grams of fiber and 4.3 grams of sugar, mainly from the vegetables and the natural sweetness of the peppers.

Why This Dish Is Perfect for Weeknights and Special Occasions

Caribbean Pepper Steak is a great dish for both everyday dinners and special occasions. The ease of preparation makes it perfect for a quick weeknight meal, but the vibrant flavors and beautiful presentation make it impressive enough for a special dinner. The dish is also highly customizable—while bell peppers are a key ingredient, you can experiment with other vegetables, like snap peas or mushrooms, depending on what’s available.

With its balance of savory, sweet, and aromatic flavors, this Caribbean Pepper Steak is sure to become a family favorite. Its versatility, quick cooking time, and rich, delicious taste make it an ideal meal for any occasion.

Conclusion: A Flavorful and Vibrant Stir-Fry

Caribbean Pepper Steak offers a perfect blend of tender sirloin steak, vibrant vegetables, and a rich, savory sauce that’s quick to prepare and full of bold, Caribbean flavors. The combination of soy sauce, ginger, and fresh thyme infuses the dish with a unique, aromatic depth, while the stir-fried peppers and onions add color, texture, and sweetness. Whether you’re serving it on a weeknight or at a special gathering, this dish is sure to impress with its delicious, vibrant flavors and satisfying texture. Enjoy it with rice or fried plantains for a well-rounded, flavorful meal that’s sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.