Cantonese Black Pepper Beef Stir-Fry (Peppery Beef with Peppers and Onion)
Why this recipe works
- Fast wok cooking: Thinly sliced beef and quick-cooking vegetables keep the whole dish well within a weeknight timeframe.
- Layered savoury flavour: Light soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, garlic and ginger give the sauce depth without needing a long simmer.
- Tender beef, crisp vegetables: Brief high-heat cooking keeps the beef soft while the onion and green pepper retain a little bite.
Get the most out of this recipe
Adjust the heat
- For less pepper heat: Reduce the black pepper slightly and keep the sauce balance the same.
- For a stronger kick: Add extra freshly ground black pepper at the end so the aroma stays sharp and lively.
- Keep it rounded: Black pepper should lead the dish, but the oyster sauce and Shaoxing wine should still come through.
Ingredient notes
- Choose tender beef: Sirloin works well because it cooks quickly and stays tender when sliced thinly across the grain.
- Shaoxing wine: Shaoxing wine adds the rounded aroma associated with many Chinese stir-fries; dry sherry is the closest practical substitute.
- Use freshly ground pepper: Freshly ground black pepper gives a warmer, brighter heat than pre-ground pepper.
Common mistakes
- Overcrowding the wok: Cook the beef in batches if needed; too much meat at once releases liquid and prevents proper searing.
- Cooking the beef too long: Remove the beef while it is just browned, then finish it briefly in the sauce so it stays tender.
- Not using enough heat: A very hot wok helps the beef sear quickly and gives the stir-fry its characteristic glossy finish.
Timing notes
- Prepare before heating the wok: Have the sauce, aromatics and vegetables ready before cooking starts, as the stir-fry moves quickly once the wok is hot.
- Serve straight away: The beef is at its best immediately after cooking, while the vegetables still have bite and the sauce is glossy.
- Best eaten fresh: Leftovers can be refrigerated, but the texture is better on the day it is cooked.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Slice the beef very thinly across the grain. In a bowl, toss the beef with the cornflour, 1 tbsp of the light soy sauce, 1 tsp of the black pepper and 1 tbsp of the Shaoxing wine until evenly coated. Leave to stand for 10 minutes while you prep the vegetables.
- Halve and slice the onion, and slice the green pepper into bite-size strips. Finely chop the garlic and grate the ginger. In a small bowl, stir together the remaining 1 tbsp light soy sauce, the oyster sauce, the remaining 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, the remaining 1 tsp black pepper and the water.
- Heat a wok over high heat until very hot, then add 1 tbsp of the peanut oil. Add the beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 60 to 90 seconds until just browned but still a touch pink, then tip onto a plate. Work in batches if needed so the beef sears rather than steams.
- Add the remaining 1 tbsp peanut oil to the wok, then add the onion and green pepper. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion is starting to soften but still has bite. Add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Return the beef (and any juices) to the wok and give the sauce a quick stir, then pour it in. Toss for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce turns glossy and coats everything, and the beef is just cooked through. Serve immediately.
Recipe notes
Serving suggestions
This recipe pairs well with:
Tips
- For the most tender result, chill the beef for 10 minutes before slicing, then cut it as thinly as you can across the grain.
- Keep the wok very hot and cook the beef in batches if necessary; overcrowding makes it release liquid and go grey rather than sear.
Substitutions
- Replace Peanut oil with Vegetable oil for a more neutral flavour.
- Replace Shaoxing Cooking Wine with Dry sherry for a similar aroma.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Cool quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 2 days. Reheat in a hot wok or frying pan with a small splash of water just until piping hot; avoid overcooking the beef.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 3 servings
- Total time: 25min (20min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Chinese
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Allergens:
Molluscs Soybeans Wheat
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