Black Pepper Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry

By Sue Li

Updated July 23, 2024

Black Pepper Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry
Andrew Purcell for The New York Times. Food Sylist: Barrett Washburne.
Total Time
20 minutes
Rating
5(7,305)
Comments
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Coarsely crushed black peppercorns star in this quick weeknight dish, which is built primarily from pantry staples. Don’t be shy about adding the entire tablespoon of pepper, as it balances out the richness of the beef and adds a lightly spicy bite to the dish. A quick rub of garlic, brown sugar, salt, pepper and cornstarch seasons the beef; the cornstarch helps tenderize the beef and later imparts a silky texture to the sauce. Feel free to marinate the beef up to 8 hours ahead and cook when you're ready. If leftovers remain, tuck them into a crunchy baguette or roll them into a wrap.

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Ingredients

Yield:2 to 4 servings
  • 1tablespoon whole black peppercorns, coarsely crushed with the bottom of a cup or pan
  • 3garlic cloves, grated
  • 2teaspoons light brown sugar
  • 1teaspoon cornstarch
  • Kosher salt
  • ¾pound sirloin steak, thinly sliced crosswise
  • 3tablespoons sunflower oil or other neutral oil
  • 2tablespoons soy sauce
  • ½head small green cabbage (about 8 ounces), thinly sliced
  • 1tablespoon sherry vinegar
  • 1tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, crushed with your fingertips
  • 2scallions, thinly sliced
  • Cooked rice, for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

390 calories; 24 grams fat; 6 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 12 grams monounsaturated fat; 4 grams polyunsaturated fat; 23 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 4 grams sugars; 20 grams protein; 533 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Add peppercorns, garlic, brown sugar, cornstarch and 1 teaspoon salt to a medium bowl and stir to combine. Add sliced steak and toss to coat.

  2. Step 2

    Heat the oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Add steak and cook, stirring frequently, until some of the edges are lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Add soy sauce and toss beef to coat, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer beef to a bowl or plate.

  3. Step 3

    Add cabbage to skillet, spread in an even layer and let cook, undisturbed, for 1 minute so that some pieces caramelize in the pan. Toss and cook cabbage, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in vinegar and season with salt.

  4. Step 4

    Add steak and any juices back to the skillet, and stir until well combined with the cabbage and warmed through, about 1 minute. Top with toasted sesame seeds and scallions; serve with rice.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
7,305 user ratings
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Comments

Noemie

Really good recipe! I added more cabbage per suggestions, doubled the spice mix, and added chicken stock thickened with a bit of cornstarch at the end to make a bit of sauce. The chicken stock helped to deglaze the pan a bit too. I didn't have sherry vinegar but apple cider vinegar with a pinch of sugar worked out well. Also, as a tip, putting the beef in the freezer for about 20 minutes will help make the thin slicing easier. Next time I may add sliced red onions to the pan for more flavor.

Kevin Osinski

Not in my experience. Thinly sliced as specified and stir-fried on high heat for about 5 minutes, it will be crispy, starting to brown, and cooked just enough to lose its bitterness and turn a little sweet. It’s my favorite way to cook green cabbage. Try it!

Steve

Surprised by some of the lukewarm reviews - one of the best NYT recipes I've made recently. Easy, healthy, and filing, where don't even need the rice. The recipe is written a little strangely and seems to assume people today don't have Asian equipment/ingredients. I used a wok. Use a mortar/pestle for peppercorns and sesame. I've never owned sherry vin., so subbed half rice wine vin. and shaoxing (often see this sub suggested the other way). Re: the great cabbage debate, 5 min was fine for me!

Bikegirl

So delicious! Followed recipe to a T except I didn’t have rice so I used some noodles as the carb. Equally yummy. I found this a great way to use up my CSA cabbage and scallions. Next time I might try adding snap peas and/ or more cabbage.

Amanda

Definitely a winner. I’d like to say I made it exactly as the recipe called for, but I didn’t have any cabbage so I used bok choy instead. While the it didn’t provide the same crunch contrast that other commenters mentioned for the cabbage, it was very good. Next time I would reduce the salt and maybe add pea pods or julienned carrots for a little more crunch. If you want to make your life easier, set your pepper mill on coarse and grind the one tablespoon of pepper.

Janine Gross

I enjoyed making and eating this easy, quick-cooking dish. Two observations: neither the meat nor the cabbage browned around the edges, and the less sturdy Napa cabbage I used, because it's what I had, did not hold up well. Slices of red onion, cooked with the cabbage, are a recommended addition.

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