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Black Pepper Beef

黑椒牛柳 · Hēi jiāo niú liǔ

Beef strips, onion, and peppers with a warm black-pepper sauce. Start with less pepper if cooking for spice-sensitive eaters.

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Prep15 min
Cook15 min
Serves2
DifficultyEasy
Black Pepper Beef — ingredient illustration, not a photo
Original ingredient illustration · not a photograph · China Table · CC0 1.0
Recipe guide · not yet kitchen-testedAI-assisted editorial draft. Timing depends on your stove, pan, and ingredient size. Use the doneness checks below.

Let’s get cooking

  1. 01

    Coat beef

    Toss beef with half the soy sauce and starch, plus a little measured water.

  2. 02

    Prepare sauce

    Mix remaining soy sauce, starch, water, and black pepper in a small bowl.

  3. 03

    Cook beef

    Heat most of the oil over medium-high heat. Cook beef in one layer for 3–5 minutes to at least 63°C. Rest on a clean plate at least 3 minutes.

  4. 04

    Cook vegetables

    Use remaining oil to fry onion and pepper for 3–4 minutes until tender.

  5. 05

    Combine

    Stir sauce again and add to the pan. When bubbling and thickened, return rested beef and toss until hot.

A little kitchen wisdom

Pepper intensity varies. You can add more after tasting, but cannot remove it once mixed in.

Can’t find an ingredient?

Beef steak: Use firm tofu for a different vegetarian dish; pan-fry it first.

Cook safely

Whole cuts of beef must reach 63°C / 145°F and rest at least 3 minutes.

FoodSafety.gov guidance ↗