Pepper Steak

Do you ever find yourself sitting on the couch, craving your favorite Chinese takeout dishes like pepper steak, orange chicken, or beef and broccoli stir fry, but you're too tired to get up, go out, and pick it up? We hear you. Thank goodness it's so easy to make them at home. This pepper steak recipe only takes a half hour from start to finish—and all you need is a good skillet.

What is pepper steak?

It's right there in the name: peppers and steak! Although common on many Chinese restaurant menus in America, pepper steak is not a traditional Chinese dish; it's a dish that was created by enterprising Chinese restaurant owners who were seeking to acquaint diners with the techniques and dishes of their homeland. Like any classic stir-fry, pepper steak consists of meat cooked hot and fast, accompanied with tenderly cooked vegetables, and a sweet-and-savory sauce.

What's the best meat for tender pepper steak?

We call for top sirloin steak in this recipe, but flank steak or skirt steak would work just fine. It's less about the type of steak and more about how quickly the steak is cooked. Overcooked steak results in tough steak, so cook it hot and fast, and then get it out of the skillet quickly. The meat will continue to cook as it rests, and then will cook a little more when the steak is reheated after the vegetables are cooked. One more tip: always slice meat against the grain! Look for the direction that the muscle fibers are running, then slice across them. The resulting bites will be more tender and delicious.

Do I need a wok to make pepper steak?

You don't need a wok to make pepper steak—any skillet will do. We love using a cast-iron skillet for its superb searing capabilities, but a regular nonstick skillet is just fine. However, be sure to use wooden utensils if using a nonstick pan to preserve your pan's surface.