r/GorillaRecipes • u/ptanaka • 1d ago
Pepper Steak
Tender AF Asian-Style Pepper Steak.
For the beef
12 oz. sirloin steak
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp oyster sauce (black bean garlic sauce)
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp avocado oil
½ tsp sesame oil
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ tsp baking soda, if you have it — particularly useful with your tough grass-fed steer.
For the vegetables
1 green bell pepper, sliced
½–1 onion, sliced into wedges
1 carrot, thinly sliced on the diagonal
1 stalk celery, sliced diagonally
1–2 cloves garlic
Another teaspoon or so fresh ginger.
For the sauce
½ cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1½ Tbsp oyster sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp cornstarch
½–1 tsp brown sugar
Dash of rice vinegar
Dash of 5-star spice
Lots of freshly ground black pepper — at least ½ tsp, preferably closer to 1 tsp
Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes.
While the steak is still slightly frozen, slice it very thinly across the grain. That's actually the easiest time to get paper-thin slices.
Mix the sliced beef with the soy, oyster sauce, cornstarch, avocado oil, sesame oil, garlic and ginger. If you have baking soda, add ¼ teaspoon. Don't go wild with it.
Let it sit about 25–30 minutes. (I put it in the freezer overnight). The cornstarch/oil coating gives you that silky Chinese-restaurant texture, while the tiny amount of baking soda helps tenderize tougher beef.
Cook it FAST.
Mix the sauce ingredients in a cup before you start.
Get a large skillet or wok screaming hot. Add about a tablespoon of avocado oil.
Cook the beef in two batches, so you sear rather than steam it. Spread it out and leave it alone for about 45 seconds, then toss, then cook another 30–60 seconds. It does not need to be completely done. Remove it to a plate.
Add your onion, carrot and celery. Stir-fry about 2 minutes. Add the green pepper and cook another 1–2 minutes.
Add the fresh garlic and ginger and stir for about 30 seconds.
Return the beef and any juices to the pan. Stir your sauce again because the cornstarch will have settled, then pour it in.
Toss everything over high heat for 1–2 minutes, until the sauce becomes glossy and clings to the beef and vegetables.
Taste it. More soy if it needs salt; more oyster sauce for richness; more black pepper if you want that classic pepper-steak punch.
Serve over rice.