Pepper Steak and Celery Stir Fry
Pepper Steak and Celery Stir Fry
Ingredients
For the Beef
- 1 pound sirloin, chilled in freezer for 10 minutes until firm
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
For the Stir Fry
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil, divided
- 5 celery stalks, sliced on a bias
- 3 garlic cloves, grated
- 1 lemon, zest peeled into wide strips, then juiced
- 3 scallions, whites and greens separated
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- 1
Place the sirloin in the freezer for 10 minutes to firm up, making it easier to slice thinly. While the beef chills, prepare the other ingredients.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
Remove the firm sirloin from the freezer and slice it against the grain into thin strips, about 1/4-inch thick.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
In a medium bowl, combine the sliced beef with salt, black pepper, cornstarch, and light brown sugar. Toss until the beef strips are evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Heat 1 tablespoon of neutral oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Add half of the beef strips in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Sear without stirring for 2 minutes until deeply browned on one side.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Flip the beef and cook for an additional 20 seconds. Transfer the seared beef to a clean plate and repeat with the remaining 1 tablespoon of neutral oil and the second batch of beef. Set all seared beef aside.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
In the same skillet, add the sliced celery, grated garlic, scallion whites, and wide strips of lemon peel. Sauté over medium-high heat for about 1 minute, until the celery is slightly softened and fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Return the seared beef to the skillet. Add the soy sauce and unsalted butter. Toss continuously for about 30 seconds until the butter has melted and a smooth sauce coats the meat and vegetables.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Remove the skillet from the heat. Squeeze fresh lemon juice from the zested lemon over the stir fry. Discard the lemon peel strips.
⏱️ 1 min
- 9
Serve immediately, garnished with the reserved scallion greens.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Pepper Steak and Celery Stir Fry
For the Beef
- 1 pound sirloin, chilled in freezer for 10 minutes until firm
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
For the Stir Fry
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil, divided
- 5 celery stalks, sliced on a bias
- 3 garlic cloves, grated
- 1 lemon, zest peeled into wide strips, then juiced
- 3 scallions, whites and greens separated
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- 1
Place the sirloin in the freezer for 10 minutes to firm up, making it easier to slice thinly. While the beef chills, prepare the other ingredients.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
Remove the firm sirloin from the freezer and slice it against the grain into thin strips, about 1/4-inch thick.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
In a medium bowl, combine the sliced beef with salt, black pepper, cornstarch, and light brown sugar. Toss until the beef strips are evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Heat 1 tablespoon of neutral oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Add half of the beef strips in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Sear without stirring for 2 minutes until deeply browned on one side.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Flip the beef and cook for an additional 20 seconds. Transfer the seared beef to a clean plate and repeat with the remaining 1 tablespoon of neutral oil and the second batch of beef. Set all seared beef aside.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
In the same skillet, add the sliced celery, grated garlic, scallion whites, and wide strips of lemon peel. Sauté over medium-high heat for about 1 minute, until the celery is slightly softened and fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Return the seared beef to the skillet. Add the soy sauce and unsalted butter. Toss continuously for about 30 seconds until the butter has melted and a smooth sauce coats the meat and vegetables.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Remove the skillet from the heat. Squeeze fresh lemon juice from the zested lemon over the stir fry. Discard the lemon peel strips.
⏱️ 1 min - 9
Serve immediately, garnished with the reserved scallion greens.
⏱️ 1 min