This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Indulge in a flavorful and satisfying Single Serving of Pepper Steak in just 20 minutes! This easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re cooking for one.
When it comes to cooking for one, convenience and flavor are key. That’s why this Pepper Steak recipe is such a great choice. This dish is quick to prepare, uses simple ingredients, and is rich in flavor. Ideal for a hearty dinner or lunch, this single-serving recipe will make your solo cooking experience enjoyable and rewarding.
Explore more single serving Asian-inspired flavors with our selection of dishes, including Kung Pao Chicken, Beef and Broccoli, Mongolian Beef, and Shrimp Fried Rice.
Why You’ll Love This Pepper Steak Recipe
- Ease of Preparation: This Pepper Steak recipe is ideal for those who enjoy home cooking but have little time to spare. It’s quick, simple, and packs a flavor punch!
- Flexibility: The recipe allows for ingredient substitutions, making it a flexible choice for diverse dietary preferences.
- Balanced Nutrition: It’s not just about taste. This recipe offers a good balance of protein from the steak and vitamins from the colorful peppers.
- Easy To Scale Up: While this Pepper Steak recipe is designed for one serving, it’s a breeze to adjust for more portions. To serve two, simply double the quantities of each ingredient.
What Is Pepper Steak?
Pepper Steak, a common dish in Chinese-American cuisine, consists of stir-fried slices of steak, bell peppers, and onions. These ingredients are mixed in a soy-based sauce, resulting in a distinctive, flavorful combination that makes the dish incredibly appealing.
Ingredients
- Steak: While flank or sirloin steak is traditionally used, feel free to substitute with other lean cuts of beef or even tofu for a vegetarian option. If you’ve got leftover beef, consider using it in Carne Asada or Steak Fajitas.
- Bell peppers: I use 1/4 of a red and green bell pepper. Not a fan of bell peppers? Substitute with other crunchy veggies like carrots or zucchini. You might enjoy using the remaining bell peppers in Chicken Tacos, Macaroni Salad, or Crab Cakes.
- Soy Sauce: For those who are gluten intolerant, replace soy sauce with tamari.
- Beef broth: You can substitute chicken broth or vegetable broth for beef broth. The flavor of the sauce will change slightly, but the dish will still be delicious. If you’ve got leftover broth, consider using it in Ropa Vieja or Shepherd’s Pie.
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
Recipe Variations
Variety is the spice of life, and this recipe is easily adaptable to suit different tastes. Here are a few variations you can try:
- Additional Veggies: Mix in mushrooms, broccoli, or snow peas for added nutrition and flavor.
- Pineapple Juice: Add a splash for a touch of tropical sweetness.
- Tofu or Tempeh: Substitute the steak for a vegan-friendly protein option.
- Spicy Heat: Add a dash of hot sauce or chopped chilies if you prefer your food with a kick.
- Ginger: A hint of ginger can introduce a warm, spicy flavor that works well with the other ingredients.
How To Make Pepper Steak For One
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make pepper steak. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Place the sliced flank steak in a bowl and season all sides with paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Melt butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned beef and cook for 2 minutes per side.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring occasionally.
- Pour in the beef broth and bring to a boil. Continue to cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally.
- Add in the sliced bell peppers and onions and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. While the beef and vegetables are cooking, whisk together the water, soy sauce, and cornstarch in a small bowl.
- Pour the cornstarch mixture into the pan and stir to combine.
- Continue to cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
Expert Tips
- Prepare all your ingredients before you start cooking. Stir-fry recipes require quick action, and prepped ingredients make the process smoother.
- To get the best results, slice the beef against the grain. This will make the beef more tender and easier to chew.
- Do not overcook the beef. The beef should be cooked until it is browned on the outside, but still slightly pink on the inside.
- If you want a thicker sauce, you can add more cornstarch and water to the mixture.
Serving Suggestions
Deciding on the perfect accompaniment for your Pepper Steak can elevate your meal to the next level. Here are some suggestions that pair well with the savory flavors of this dish:
- Cooked Rice: Although Pepper Steak is often enjoyed on its own, it is traditionally served with white rice in many Chinese-American restaurants and households. The rice provides a nice, mild base that helps to balance out the strong flavors of the pepper steak. In addition, the rice also helps to absorb some of the sauce from the pepper steak, making each bite a perfect blend of flavors.
- Cauliflower Rice: For a low-carb alternative, try cauliflower rice.
- Green Salad: A fresh, crisp Chopped Salad can provide a nice contrast to the warm, hearty steak.
- Quinoa: This grain is a great source of protein and fiber and can add a nutty flavor to your meal.
- Stir-fried Noodles: If you’re a fan of Asian cuisine, pairing your pepper steak with some stir-fried noodles can be a delightful option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can prepare the dish up to 2 days in advance and reheat it when ready to serve.
Absolutely, chicken or even shrimp can be a great substitute for steak.
Feel free to add a dash of hot sauce or some chopped jalapeños to amp up the heat.
Absolutely, you can use a slow cooker for this recipe, preferably one with a 1.5-quart capacity.
To do so, add the seasoned beef, garlic, bell peppers, onions, and beef broth to the slow cooker. Set the cooker to low heat for an 8-hour cook time or high heat for a 4-hour cook time. Afterward, mix the water, soy sauce, and cornstarch in a separate bowl. Add this mixture to the slow cooker and give everything a good stir. Continue cooking with the lid on for an additional 20 minutes. Taste and season with additional salt if necessary.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried this easy pepper steak recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Pepper Steak For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (6 to 8 ounce) flank steak , cut against the grain into ¼ inch strips
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 clove garlic , minced
- ¾ cup beef broth
- ¼ medium green bell pepper , cut into strips
- ¼ medium red bell pepper , cut into strips
- ¼ medium onion (or ½ of a small onion), thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons water
- 2 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Place the sliced flank steak in a bowl and season all sides with paprika, pepper, and salt.
- Melt butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned beef and cook for 2 minutes per side.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring occasionally.
- Pour in the beef broth and bring to a boil. Continue to cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally.
- Add in the sliced bell peppers and onions and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the water, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Pour the cornstarch mixture into the pan and stir to combine.
- Continue to cook for about 4 to 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens, then serve.
Notes
- Prepare all your ingredients before you start cooking. Stir-fry recipes require quick action, and prepped ingredients make the process smoother.
- To get the best results, slice the beef against the grain. This will make the beef more tender and easier to chew.
- Do not overcook the beef. The beef should be cooked until it is browned on the outside, but still slightly pink on the inside.
- If you want a thicker sauce, you can add more cornstarch and water to the mixture.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
This recipe is going to be a hit Joanie I can tell.
Thank you for taking the time to work on it for us singles.
I intend to double this recipe for a meal the next day.
At what stage would I add it to my slow cooker. .
I thought perhaps I could season the beef, add the butter and garlic and cook as you suggest then add to the S/C. along with the other ingredients
Wondering what your suggestions would be.
Many thanks.
Thank you.
Many Thanks.
I’m so glad you’re eager to try this recipe! In my experience, there’s no real need to brown the beef before adding it to the slow cooker for this particular dish. The beef tends to cook quickly due to its thin slices, and the slow cooker will do an excellent job of melding the flavors together regardless.
So here’s what I suggest:
If you’ve already checked out the FAQ section, you’ll see that the seasoned beef, garlic, bell peppers, and onions go directly into the slow cooker.
Next, add the beef broth and set your slow cooker to either low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
Near the end, prepare your soy sauce, water, and cornstarch mix. Add it to the slow cooker and let it cook for an additional 20 minutes with the lid on.
This method is perfect for a more “set it and forget it” approach, and you can expect tasty results. Be sure to taste the finished dish and add additional salt if you feel it’s necessary.
Doubling the recipe shouldn’t change these steps, but keep an eye on it; you may need a bit of extra time for everything to cook through due to the increased volume.
I hope that answers your question. Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions or need further clarifications.
Thank you Joanie, your suggestions sound perfect, will follow them to a T.
You are my Recipes For One Angel… Always close, Always reliable.
You are too kind. Please let me know how it goes.
Now a widow I enjoy your small recipes.
Thank you so much, Carolyn.
This is perfect for me! Hubby doesn’t like this and I have nights where he is gone for dinner. I also have a smaller appetite than him. So when we have steak, I get the same size as him and my leftovers are either for lunches or, more often, I toss it in the freezer. I usually make stroganoff out of them but this will be my new thing!
Terrific recipe. If you wanted to add mushrooms or othervegetables, how many or how much would you use?
You can add as much as you’d like but the more vegetables you add, the less sauce you’ll have. I recommend starting out by adding 1/4 cup and adding more if desired.
Thank you so much. You are an AWESOME cook, and I ADORE your recipes.
Thank you. I appreciate it so much.