This mushroom pepper steak is loaded with tender beef, savory mushrooms, and a rich garlic pepper sauce. It’s an easy, comforting dinner that comes together in around 30 minutes.
Jollibee Garlic Pepper Beef (Copycat Version)
Jollibee is not just known for their Filipino sweet-style spaghetti and crispy fried chicken. Their Garlic Pepper Beef was another standout menu item loved for its tender beef, rich savory sauce, and bold garlic pepper flavor.
It may be discontinued now, but this homemade version hits all the same savory, garlicky notes that made the original so good. I also added mushrooms here, which soak up the sauce beautifully and make the dish even heartier.
Why You’ll Love This Mushroom Pepper Steak Recipe
Between the rich garlic pepper sauce, tender beef, and savory mushrooms, there are plenty of reasons to love this easy dinner recipe.
- Rich savory flavor in every bite. Tender beef, caramelized mushrooms, crispy garlic, and glossy pepper sauce make this dish incredibly satisfying.
- Loaded with bold garlic pepper flavor. The savory sauce coats every piece of beef and mushroom beautifully.
- Simple ingredients. You only need a handful of pantry-friendly ingredients to make this rich and satisfying meal.
- Easy weeknight dinner. This comforting beef dish comes together in around 30 minutes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this rich and savory mushroom pepper steak at home.
- Beef. Sirloin, flank steak, ribeye, skirt steak, or sukiyaki-cut beef all work well for this recipe. Just slice the beef thinly against the grain so it cooks fast and stays tender.
- Garlic. This recipe uses a lot of garlic for bold flavor and crispy garlic topping. Cook it just until golden brown so it does not turn bitter.
- Mushrooms. Mushrooms add extra savory flavor and soak up the rich garlic pepper sauce beautifully.
- Soy sauce. Soy sauce gives the dish its deep savory base and helps season the beef while it marinates.
- Oyster sauce. Oyster sauce adds richness and a subtle sweetness that gives the sauce more depth.
- Cornstarch. Cornstarch helps tenderize the beef and gives the sauce its glossy texture.
- Black pepper. Freshly ground black pepper gives the dish its signature peppery flavor.
- Beef bouillon powder. A little bouillon adds concentrated beef flavor and makes the sauce taste richer.
What Cut of Beef to Use for Pepper Steak
The good news is that several different cuts of beef work well for pepper steak.
- Sirloin steak. Sirloin is a great everyday choice because it is lean but still tender when sliced thinly. It cooks fast, absorbs the marinade well, and gives you a good balance of flavor, texture, and price.
- Flank steak. Flank steak has a rich beefy flavor and works well when sliced thinly against the grain. This helps keep the meat tender instead of chewy.
- Ribeye steak. Ribeye has more marbling, which gives the pepper steak a richer and more buttery flavor. It stays especially juicy while cooking.
- Skirt steak. Skirt steak cooks very quickly and has a deep savory flavor that works well with garlic and black pepper.
- Sukiyaki-cut beef. Sukiyaki beef is already sliced very thin, making it one of the easiest and fastest options for pepper steak.
How to Make Mushroom Pepper Steak
Follow these simple steps to make flavorful mushroom pepper steak right at home.
1. Marinate the beef.
In a bowl, combine the beef, cornstarch, soy sauce, oyster sauce, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix well, then marinate for 15 minutes.
2. Make the crispy garlic.
Heat enough oil to lightly cover the bottom of a pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until golden brown and crisp. Remove the garlic and set aside. Leave a little garlic oil in the pan.
3. Cook the mushrooms.
Add 1 tablespoon butter to the pan. Add the mushrooms and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, or until browned and softened. Remove and set aside.
4. Melt the butter and bouillon.
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the pan. Stir in the beef bouillon powder until it melts into the butter and garlic oil.
5. Cook the beef.
Add the marinated beef and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until browned and mostly cooked through.
6. Add the mushrooms and garlic.
Add the mushrooms back to the pan along with ¾ of the crispy garlic. Mix well.
7. Simmer the sauce.
Pour in water. Stir and simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
8. Serve.
Top with the remaining crispy garlic and serve over rice.
Tips for the Best Mushroom Pepper Steak
Want your mushroom pepper steak to turn out even better? These easy tips will help.
- Slice the beef thinly against the grain. Thin slices cook quickly and stay tender instead of chewy.
- Do not overcook the garlic or it’ll turn bitter. Cook it for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until it turns lightly golden brown and crisp around the edges.
- Do not overcrowd the pan. Cook the beef in batches if needed so it browns properly instead of steaming.
- Simmer just until thickened. The sauce will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.
- Save some crispy garlic for topping. Adding garlic at the end keeps it crunchy and extra flavorful.
Variations and Substitutions
There are plenty of ways to make this recipe your own while keeping the rich savory flavor intact.
- Use a different cut of beef. Flank steak, ribeye, skirt steak, or sukiyaki-cut beef all work well.
- Swap the mushrooms. White mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, or shiitake mushrooms are all great options.
- Add onions or bell peppers. Sautéed onions or peppers add extra sweetness and texture.
- Make it sweeter. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey or brown sugar for a sweeter profile.
- Use chicken instead of beef. Thinly sliced chicken thighs work well with the same sauce.
- Add extra heat. Sprinkle in chili flakes or sliced Thai chilis for a spicy version.
How to Store and Reheat Pepper Steak
To Store: Let the pepper steak cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To Reheat: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water until warmed through. You can also microwave it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
More Dinner Recipes You’ll Love
Beef Salpicao
Panda Express Beef and Broccoli
Ground Beef Bulgogi
Easy Oyakodon
Pork Adobo
Mushroom Pepper Steak Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound beef thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons oil for frying
- 14 cloves garlic about 1 large head, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter divided
- 1 cup mushrooms sliced
- 1 teaspoon beef bouillon powder
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the beef, cornstarch, soy sauce, oyster sauce, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix well, then marinate for 15 minutes.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until golden brown and crisp. Remove the garlic and set aside. Leave a little garlic oil in the pan.
- Add 1 tablespoon butter to the pan. Add the mushrooms and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, or until browned and softened. Remove and set aside.
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the pan. Stir in the beef bouillon powder until it melts into the butter and garlic oil.
- Add the marinated beef and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until browned and cooked through.
- Add the mushrooms back to the pan along with ¾ of the crispy garlic. Mix well.
- Pour in water. Stir and simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
- Top with the remaining crispy garlic and serve over rice. Enjoy!
