Copycat Panda Express Black Pepper Beef
Among the array of dishes at Panda Express, the Black Pepper Beef stands out as a fan favorite. With its tender beef slices, crisp vegetables, and that irresistible bold pepper sauce, it’s a dish that beckons even the most discerning of palates. But what if you could recreate this magic in your own kitchen? Imagine impressing your loved ones with a meal that tastes just as delectable as the restaurant’s version, if not better!
With our Copycat Panda Express Black Pepper Beef recipe, you’re in for a tasty treat in the comfort of your own home. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen newbie, this guide is designed for you.
Recipe Notes:
- Aways opt for high-quality ingredients, especially when it comes to the beef. Tender cuts like sirloin work best for stir-frying.
- Whether it’s the beef, onions, peppers, or mushrooms, try to slice everything uniformly. This ensures even cooking.
- Stir-frying is all about high heat and quick cooking. Ensure your wok or skillet is hot before adding the ingredients. This seals in the juices and keeps the veggies crisp.
- If you overcrowd the pan, the ingredients might steam instead of getting that nice sear. Stir-fry in smaller batches to maintain that sizzle.
- The amount of black pepper can be adjusted according to your preference. If you’re a fan of more heat, feel free to add a bit more pepper.
Variations
- Add sliced chili peppers or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture for extra heat
- Customize the vegetable medley by adding carrots, snap peas, baby corn, or broccoli
- Experiment with different proteins like chicken, shrimp, or tofu. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
- Mix up the bell peppers by using a combination of red, yellow, and orange peppers for a visually stunning dish.
Yes, you can use other tender cuts of beef like tenderloin if you prefer. Just make sure to slice them thinly to ensure even cooking.
Fresh vegetables tend to retain their crunch better, but you can use frozen vegetables if needed. Just be aware that frozen vegetables might release more moisture into the dish, potentially affecting the texture.
Slicing the beef thinly against the grain helps in achieving a tender texture. Also, avoid overcooking the beef – stir-fry it just until it’s no longer pink.
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Allow the stir-fry to cool down to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. Place it in the refrigerator and enjoy it within 4 days.
To freeze, cool the stir-fry, portion it into airtight containers or freezer-safe bags. Thaw in the refrigerator when you’re ready to enjoy it again. The black pepper beef will last us to 3 months.
Copycat Panda Express Black Pepper Beef
- In a bowl, mix soy sauce, garlic clove, grated ginger, and sesame oil. Coat the beef with this marinade and let it soak for 30 minutes.
- Combine cornstarch, water, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and freshly ground black pepper in a bowl. Stir until well-mixed.
- Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet. When the oil is hot, add the marinated beef. Cook for about 5 minutes until it’s nicely browned. Remove from the wok and set aside.
- In the same wok, toss in sliced onion, red bell pepper, green beans, and champignons. Stir-fry until the veggies are tender yet still crispy.
- Put the cooked beef back into the wok with the veggies.
- Drizzle the black pepper sauce over the beef and veggies. Stir well to coat everything evenly.
- Spoon the savory Black Pepper Beef stir-fry over steamed rice or your preferred noodles.
More Copycat Recipes We Love:
Copycat Panda Express Black Pepper Beef
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Ingredients
Marinade
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 clove of garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Beef
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 yellow onion sliced
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 1 cup chopped green beans
- 1 cup mushroom cut in half
- 1 ½ pounds sirloin beef cut into 1-inch strips
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix soy sauce, garlic clove, grated ginger, and sesame oil. Coat the beef with this marinade and let it soak for 30 minutes.
- Combine cornstarch, water, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and freshly ground black pepper in a bowl. Stir until well-mixed.
- Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet. When the oil is hot, add the marinated beef. Cook for about 5 minutes until it’s nicely browned. Remove from the wok and set aside.
- In the same wok, toss in sliced onion, red bell pepper, green beans, and champignons. Stir-fry until the veggies are tender yet still crispy.
- Put the cooked beef back into the wok with the veggies.
- Drizzle the black pepper sauce over the beef and veggies. Stir well to coat everything evenly.
- Spoon the savory Black Pepper Beef stir-fry over steamed rice or your preferred noodles.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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