Looking for a weeknight dinner that feels restaurant-quality but comes together in under an hour?
This beef stir-fry with peppers and crispy fries is my answer to those nights when I want something satisfying, colorful, and honestly just delicious.
The beef gets tender and flavorful, the peppers stay bright and slightly crisp, and the fries are golden and crunchy on the outside.
Throw in a fresh salad on the side and you’ve got a complete meal that looks impressive but doesn’t require any fancy skills.
Why You Will Love This Beef Stir-Fry with Peppers & Crispy Fries
Ingredients
- 1 lbs beef sirloin, sliced into strips
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt to taste
- 4 large potatoes, cut into fries
- 2 tbsp oil for frying
- Green leaf lettuce for serving
- Cucumber slices for serving
- Cherry tomatoes, halved for serving
- Tomato wedges for serving
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
- 1 lbs beef sirloin, sliced into strips
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 4 large potatoes, cut into fries
I like to slice my beef against the grain, which makes it more tender when it cooks. Pat the beef dry with paper towels so it browns better in the pan.
For the potatoes, I cut them into even-sized fries so they cook at the same rate. The fresher your peppers and garlic, the brighter your stir-fry will taste.
Step 2: Cook the Crispy Fries
- 4 large potatoes, cut into fries
- 2 tbsp oil
- Salt to taste
Heat your oil in a large skillet or deep pan over medium-high heat until it’s hot but not smoking. I find that testing with one fry first helps you know when the oil is ready.
Add the fries in batches and fry for about 8 to 10 minutes until golden and crispy on the outside. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and season with salt while still hot.
Step 3: Sear the Beef
- 1 lbs beef sirloin, sliced into strips
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and 1 tsp black pepper to taste
In a separate pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over high heat until it’s very hot. I tend to work in batches when searing beef so the pieces brown instead of steam.
Add the beef strips and sear for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until browned. Season with salt and black pepper as it cooks. Set the cooked beef aside on a plate.
Step 4: Build the Stir-Fry Sauce and Cook Peppers
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp paprika
In the same pan, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. I find that this releases so much flavor into the pan.
Add the red and yellow bell peppers and stir-fry for about 4 to 5 minutes until they’re tender but still have a slight crunch. Pour in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and paprika, stirring to combine.
Step 5: Combine and Finish
- Cooked beef from Step 3
- Cooked peppers and sauce from Step 4
Return the cooked beef to the pan with the peppers and sauce. Toss everything together for 1 to 2 minutes so the flavors meld.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. I like to serve this immediately while everything is hot and the peppers still have that slight firmness.
Step 6: Prepare the Fresh Salad
- Green leaf lettuce
- Cucumber slices
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Tomato wedges
Arrange the green leaf lettuce on a plate or in a bowl. Top with cucumber slices, cherry tomato halves, and tomato wedges.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The beef and peppers keep well, though the fries are best enjoyed fresh.
Freeze: You can freeze the cooked beef and pepper stir-fry in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Fries do not freeze well after cooking, so I recommend making them fresh each time.
Reheat: Reheat the stir-fry gently in a skillet over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you want to refresh fries, briefly toast them in a hot oven for a few minutes to restore crispness.
What to Serve With This Beef Stir-Fry with Peppers & Crispy Fries
- Steamed white or brown rice to soak up the savory sauce.
- A cold beverage like iced tea or lemonade to balance the salty, rich flavors.
- A simple side of jasmine rice pilaf for extra flavor and texture.
- Crusty bread to wipe up every last bit of that delicious sauce.
Estimated Nutrition
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
(Estimated per serving, without optional ingredients)
Beef Stir-Fry with Peppers & Crispy Fries
Ingredients
Method
- Slice beef against the grain and pat dry with paper towels. Cut potatoes into even-sized fries. Mince garlic and slice peppers.
- Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add fries in batches and fry for 8 to 10 minutes until golden and crispy. Transfer to paper towels and season with salt while hot.
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a separate pan over high heat. Working in batches, sear beef strips for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until browned. Season with salt and black pepper. Set aside.
- In the same pan, add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add sliced peppers and stir-fry for 4 to 5 minutes. Pour in soy sauce, oyster sauce, and paprika, stirring to combine.
- Return cooked beef to the pan with peppers and sauce. Toss together for 1 to 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Arrange green leaf lettuce on a plate. Top with cucumber slices, cherry tomato halves, and tomato wedges. Serve alongside the beef stir-fry and fries.
