Mom'S Pepper Steak
Mom's Pepper Steak is a flavorful Asian-inspired dish featuring tender beef, crunchy peppers, and a sweet-savory sauce, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. beef, cut into very thin slices ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. cooking oil ⓘ
- 1 large green pepper, cut into thin strips ⓘ
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced ⓘ
- 1/2 cup very thin diagonally sliced celery
- 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. soy sauce ⓘ
- 1 tsp. lemon juice ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 tsp. Accent ⓘ
- 1 tsp. ginger ⓘ
- 1/2 cup water ⓘ
- 2 tsp. cornstarch ⓘ
- 2 to 4 cups cooked rice ⓘ
- 1 large can Chinese noodles ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown beef in heated oil in a large skillet.
- Add green pepper, green onions, and celery; cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Stir in molasses, soy sauce, lemon juice, salt, Accent, and ginger.
- Blend water and cornstarch until smooth.
- Quickly stir the cornstarch mixture into the beef mixture.
- Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Serve over hot cooked rice and/or heated Chinese noodles, adding extra lemon juice if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a more tender beef, consider marinating it in soy sauce for 30 minutes before cooking. If you don't have molasses, brown sugar mixed with a little water can be a suitable substitute. You can also add other vegetables like carrots or snap peas for extra color and nutrition. This dish is a fantastic way to utilize leftover beef from other meals, such as Stir-Fry Steak And Vegetables.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Mom's Pepper Steak over a mound of fluffy rice or alongside crispy Chinese noodles for a delightful meal. For a complete dinner, pair it with Fried Wonton or a fresh salad. A squeeze of extra lemon juice just before serving can enhance the flavors beautifully, making it an ideal centerpiece for your dinner table.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in a skillet over medium heat until heated through, adding a splash of water if needed to prevent sticking. Alternatively, you can microwave it on low power, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mom'S Pepper Steak contains roughly 396 calories, with 7g protein, 65g carbohydrates, and 13g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (67% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (24% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of meat besides beef?
Yes, you can substitute beef with chicken, pork, or even tofu for a vegetarian option. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly, as chicken and pork may require less time to cook thoroughly compared to beef.
What can I do if I don't have cornstarch?
If you don't have cornstarch, you can use all-purpose flour as a thickening agent instead. Just mix it with a little water to create a slurry before adding it to the beef mixture. Keep in mind that it may slightly alter the texture of the sauce.
How spicy is this dish, and can I adjust the heat?
This dish is not inherently spicy, but you can add heat by including sliced jalapeños or red pepper flakes. Adjust the quantity to your taste preference, ensuring to balance it with the sweetness of the molasses and soy sauce for a well-rounded flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).