Here’s an easy budget-friendly and quick copycat recipe of the delicious P.F. Chang’s Pepper Steak. This 30-minute meal is a family favorite!

copycat P.F. Chang's Pepper Steak on a white plate with rice.

When you are craving a night out but don’t want all of the hassle of getting ready, turn to this simple copycat version of P.F. Chang’s Pepper Steak.

With a list of ingredients you probably already have on hand, you will be able to throw this dish together in a flash and please everyone at your table.

Contents hide
1 Why You Need This Recipe
2 Key Ingredients
3 Recipe Steps
4 Recipe Tips & Substitutions
5 Recipe FAQs
6 More Easy Dinner Recipes You Might Like
7 Don’t Miss These Copycat Recipes!
8 PF Chang’s Pepper Steak

Why You Need This Recipe

  • Enjoy this restaurant-quality meal any day of the week at just a fraction of the cost.
  • With the sweet and tangy pairings of peppers, onions, dijon mustard, and honey, your taste buds will be dancing in delight at the delectable flavor in this Chinese pepper steak dish.
  • Ready in just 30 minutes, this delicious dinner is perfect for busy weeknights when everyone is scrambling in different directions.

Key Ingredients

ingredients for pepper steak on a counter.

Flank steak is high in protein and low in fat, keeping you feeling fuller, longer. You can also use stew meat if you wish.

Bell peppers and onions are both high in fiber and add loads of flavor. I like to use both red bell pepper and green bell pepper (also, that’s how the restaurant makes it).

Cooking oil helps soften the veggies. I used olive oil instead of vegetable oil.

Dijon mustard adds a tangy and spicy twist.

Honey balances the other ingredients with a delicate sweetness.

Simple spices including salt, garlic, and black pepper add to the savory sauce ingredients.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Recipe Steps

the process of making PF Changs pepper steak.

Step One

In a large nonstick skillet, cook the steak in oil over medium heat or medium-high heat.

Cook in the hot oil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the steak from the pan and set aside.

Step Two

Next, add the onion, garlic, and bell peppers to the pan. Stir well.

Cook for about 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Step Three

Turn the heat to low.

Stir the mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in with the vegetables.

Step Four

Return the steak to the pan. Stir to combine the steak with the vegetables. Simmer for 1-2 minutes.

Top with sesame seeds, if desired, and serve.

I hope you agree that this tender beef dish served with veggies is a great recipe that rivals anything from Chinese restaurants.

chopsticks holding a piece of bell pepper and steak.

Recipe Tips & Substitutions

  • For an even more authentic version, you can replace the mustard with 1 teaspoon fish sauce.
  • Feel free to serve this dish with cooked white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice.
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving.
  • Feel free to get creative with this dish and add ingredients such as green onions, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, or low sodium soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free diets).

Recipe FAQs

Why is this dish called Pepper Steak?

This traditionally Chinese dish gets its name from the use of bell peppers.

What is the best type of steak to use for this dish?

Because this dish is so quick and simple to make, I suggest using a firm, yet tender flank steak or sirloin. Ask the butcher at the grocery store which cut of beef would be best for a dish like this. And, ask him or her to cut the meat into thin strips or thin slices to save you time.

Do you need to thicken the sauce?

You can if you want to (I don’t usually). Simple add 1-2 tablespoons of corn starch or arrowroot to the large skillet while the meat and veggies are cooking. Let simmer for a few minutes to thicken the sauce (you may wish to make a slurry with water before adding to the skillet).

Can I make this in the slow cooker?

Yes! You may wish to saute the meat first to add more flavor. Then, add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on high for 4-6 hours, or until the meat is tender and the veggies are soft. You may wish to include 1/2 to 1 cup of beef broth or chicken to ensure the dish doesn’t burn.

spoon serving pf chang's pepper steak dish.

More Easy Dinner Recipes You Might Like

Don’t Miss These Copycat Recipes!

Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken (Copycat)

Costco Chicken Salad (Copycat Recipe)

Copycat Panera Chicken Noodle Soup (Authentic!)

Chili’s Restaurant Shrimp Fajitas (Copycat Recipe)

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

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copycat P.F. Chang's Pepper Steak on a white plate with rice.

PF Chang’s Pepper Steak

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5 from 1 review

Print Recipe

Here’s an easy budget-friendly and quick Copycat recipe of the delicious P.F. Chang’s Pepper Steak. This 30-minute meal is a family favorite!

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 3 Servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil (I recommend olive oil or avocado oil)
  • 1 pound sirloin or flank steak, sliced thinly
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, cored and sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, cored and sliced
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar or rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds (optional, for topping)
  • Cooked rice (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat.
  2. Add the steak and let it cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Transfer the steak to a serving plate or dish.
  4. Next, add the onion, garlic, red and green bell pepper, and stir to combine. Cook for about 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Turn the heat to low and add the mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine with the vegetables.
  6. Add the steak back to the skillet with the vegetables and sauce. Stir and simmer for 1-2 more minutes before turning off the heat. Serve hot, with optional sesame seeds sprinkled on top.

Notes

  1. For an even more authentic version, you can replace the mustard with 1 teaspoon fish sauce. But, since most people don’t have it on hand, I’ve included mustard as an easy substitute.
  2. Feel free to serve this dish with cooked white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice.
  3. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 322
  • Sugar: 15.8 g
  • Sodium: 480.4 mg
  • Fat: 10.3 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20.5 g
  • Fiber: 2.3 g
  • Protein: 35.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 89.4 mg

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.