This Asian-Inspired, Black Pepper Ground Beef is an easy skillet dinner made with browned ground beef, bell peppers, onions, garlic and ginger simmered in a savory black pepper sauce. Freshly cracked black pepper gives the sauce its signature bold flavor, while soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil add richness and depth. Serve it over steamed rice for a quick dinner that comes together in less than 20 minutes.
Why You Will Love This Black Pepper Ground Beef Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Everything cooks in one skillet, making this Black Pepper Ground Beef an easy option for busy weeknights.
- Extra Saucy: Plenty of savory black pepper sauce makes this ground beef perfect for spooning over rice.
- Bold Flavor: Freshly ground black pepper, garlic, ginger, soy sauce and oyster sauce create a rich, savory Asian-style sauce with just the right amount of peppery heat.
- Simple Ingredients: Ground beef and everyday vegetables turn into a flavorful dinner, without a lot of prep.
- Easy to Customize: Change the vegetables, adjust the amount of black pepper or add a little crushed red pepper for extra heat.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ground Beef: Use lean or regular ground beef. Ground chicken, turkey or pork can also be substituted.
- Bell Peppers: Use any combination of red, green, yellow or orange bell peppers.
- Beef Stock: Beef stock provides the richest flavor, but chicken stock can be used as a substitute.
- Soy Sauce: Low-sodium soy sauce helps control the saltiness of the sauce. Regular soy sauce can be used, but you may want to slightly reduce the amount.
- Oyster Sauce: This adds savory depth and a subtle sweetness to the black pepper sauce. Hoisin sauce can work in a pinch, although it will make the finished sauce sweeter.
- Dark Soy Sauce: This is optional and is mainly used to deepen the color and flavor of the sauce.
- Fresh Ginger: Ground ginger or ginger paste can be substituted, although fresh ginger provides the best flavor.
- Black Pepper: Freshly cracked or coarsely ground black pepper is highly recommended. Fine ground pepper will give the sauce a different flavor, and can become overpowering.
How to Prepare Black Pepper Ground Beef
- In a bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the beef stock, soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, dark soy sauce, black pepper, rice vinegar, sesame oil and cornstarch. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart as it browns.
- Once browned, add the onions, red bell pepper and green bell pepper, garlic and ginger. Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes to soften the vegetables.
- Whisk the prepared black pepper sauce again to redistribute the cornstarch. Pour the sauce into the skillet with the beef and vegetables.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Cook for several minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has reduced slightly and thickened enough to coat the ground beef.
- Stir in half of the sliced green onions, if using.
- Taste and add additional freshly cracked black pepper, if desired.
- Spoon the Black Pepper Ground Beef and plenty of sauce over steamed rice.
- Garnish with the remaining green onions and serve immediately.
How to Serve and Store
- Serve this Black Pepper Ground Beef over steamed jasmine rice, white rice or brown rice. For a lower-carb option, serve it with cauliflower rice, or alongside steamed or stir-fried vegetables.
- Pair with sliced cucumbers and/or avocado slices.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of beef stock if the sauce becomes too thick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Freshly cracked or coarsely ground black pepper is best. It provides the bold, aromatic pepper flavor that makes this dish distinctive. Avoid finely powdered black pepper when possible.
Black pepper creates a warm, peppery heat rather than the sharp heat you would get from chilies. Three teaspoons gives this dish a noticeable black pepper flavor. You can reduce the amount slightly for a milder version.
Yes. Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes with the garlic and ginger or finish the dish with chili crisp.
Absolutely. Broccoli, mushrooms, snap peas, zucchini or thinly sliced carrots would all work well. Keep in mind that adding a lot of vegetables may increase the cooking time.
Make sure the sauce reaches a gentle simmer after adding it to the skillet. Cornstarch needs heat to thicken. Also, whisk the sauce immediately before adding it because the cornstarch will settle at the bottom of the bowl.
More Asian-Inspired Ground Beef Recipes to Love
This easy Black Pepper Ground Beef combines browned ground beef, tender bell peppers and onions with garlic and ginger in a rich, savory black pepper sauce. The extra sauce makes it perfect for serving over a bowl of steamed rice, while freshly cracked black pepper gives every bite plenty of bold flavor. Best of all, the entire dish cooks in one skille,t and can be on the table in about 20 minutes.
Print
Black Pepper Ground Beef
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Easy Black Pepper Ground Beef with peppers and onions simmered in a savory, peppery sauce. A quick one-pan dinner perfect over rice.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef, preferably 85/15 or 90/10
- 1/2 medium onion, minced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 2 green onions, sliced, divided, optional for finishing
For the Black Pepper Sauce:
- 1 3/4 cups beef stock
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce, optional
- 3 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
- In a bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the beef stock, soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, dark soy sauce, black pepper, rice vinegar, sesame oil and cornstarch. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart as it browns.
- Once browned, add the onions, red bell pepper and green bell pepper, garlic and ginger. Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes to soften the vegetables.
- Whisk the prepared black pepper sauce again to redistribute the cornstarch. Pour the sauce into the skillet with the beef and vegetables.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Cook for several minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has reduced slightly and thickened enough to coat the ground beef.
- Stir in half of the sliced green onions, if using.
- Taste and add additional freshly cracked black pepper, if desired.
- Spoon the Black Pepper Ground Beef and plenty of sauce over steamed rice.
- Garnish with the remaining green onions and serve immediately.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Give the ground beef time to develop some color before adding the vegetables. Those browned bits add a lot of flavor to the finished sauce.
- Use freshly cracked or coarsely ground black pepper for the best flavor.
- Drain excess grease from the beef before adding the peppers and onions, if necessary.
- Whisk the sauce again immediately before pouring it into the skillet to redistribute the cornstarch.
- Allow the sauce to simmer for several minutes so it can reduce and thicken.
- Do not add additional salt until tasting the finished dish. Soy sauce and oyster sauce both contain salt.
- Green onions are optional, but add freshness and color when serving.
- For additional heat, add crushed red pepper flakes or chili crisp.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: Asian/American
GET TO KNOW ME!
WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!
Our life has changed dramatically in the past few years with the passing of our two goldendoodles, Vegas and Viva. We were lucky enough to have Vegas for five years (totally wish it was longer). Most recently, losing our Viva to a brain tumor in July of 2020. We welcomed our mini goldendoodle 7, almost seven years ago. We just added the amazing Hazel! Of course, I am always posting tons and tons of photos! Be sure to check out my recipe for Pet Bone Broth! This broth is super rich in nutrients and will provide your pet with a multitude of health benefits!
In addition, I’m so very excited to announce I have published my first e-book and paperback, “Mastering Thanksgiving – A Guide to Perfecting Your Thanksgiving Dinner.” Your support would mean the world to me.
Let’s Get Social!
Be sure to follow me on social media! I’m always talking food, fashion, and family! I also love sharing some of my favorite Amazon Finds too. Click here to check out my Amazon page! Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Pinterest and YouTube! Check out my LTK to find out what I’m wearing! THANK YOU!
No comment yet, add your voice below!