Healthy Beef Pepper Rice Bowl (Printable version)
Tender beef with crisp bell peppers in savory garlic-ginger sauce over brown rice. A complete 35-minute meal packed with protein and vibrant vegetables.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Beef
01 - 14 oz lean beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced
02 - 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
03 - 1 tsp cornstarch
04 - 1 tsp sesame oil
→ Vegetables
05 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
06 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
07 - 1 green bell pepper, sliced
08 - 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
09 - 2 spring onions, sliced for garnish
→ Sauce
10 - 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
11 - 1 tbsp oyster sauce
12 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
13 - 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
14 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
15 - 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
16 - 1/2 tsp chili flakes
→ Rice and Garnishes
17 - 2 cups cooked brown rice
18 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
19 - Fresh cilantro leaves
# How to Make It:
01 - Combine sliced beef with 1 tbsp soy sauce, cornstarch, and sesame oil in a bowl. Toss thoroughly to coat and let marinate for 10 minutes.
02 - Whisk together 2 tbsp soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and chili flakes in a small bowl until well combined.
03 - Heat a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add marinated beef and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until just browned. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, add a splash of water or oil. Stir-fry bell peppers and red onion for 3-4 minutes until crisp-tender.
05 - Return beef to the skillet. Pour in prepared sauce and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until everything is evenly coated and heated through.
06 - Divide cooked brown rice among 4 bowls. Top each with beef and pepper mixture. Garnish with spring onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro. Serve immediately.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- The beef stays impossibly tender because of a simple marinating trick I learned from a restaurant chef
- You get that takeout flavor without the heavy salt or mysterious ingredients
- Everything cooks in one skillet, so cleanup is almost nonexistent
02 -
- Crowding the pan makes the beef steam instead of sear, so work in batches if your skillet is small
- Letting the beef marinate for at least 10 minutes is what makes it tender, but 30 minutes is even better
03 -
- Freeze the beef for 20 minutes before slicing to get thin, even strips
- Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for the most fragrant garnish