Peppercorn Beef and Snow Peas

If a deliciously quick and easy meal is what you’re looking for, make this Peppercorn Beef and Snow Peas. It cooks in less than 15 minutes! Serve on a bed of rice for an ideal weeknight dinner.

If you visit this little blog regularly, thank you so much!! I truly appreciate your support! You might know a little about me. But to know me is to also know that I don’t dance. I have two left feet and can’t keep a rhythm. Try as I might to resist attempts to get me onto the dance floor, I somehow end up there under protest anyway. I have always hated every minute of it.

Certain members of the extended family feel that it’s their job to get my feet going. At one family wedding, I was literally DRAGGED onto the dance floor in my chair! I won’t drop names, but for some inexplicable reason, the words Karen and Betty-Ann suddenly popped into my head (keh keh).

I was at a niece’s wedding over the weekend and once again was coerced onto the dance floor. This time, my daughter was also in on it. (I still love you, honey!) But something happened that had never happened before. After upmteen years of attempting to dance and failing, I was able to find rhythm that had been hidden in the depths of my being, and for the first time, it didn’t feel awkward. Dare I say, I even had a little fun?? Maybe there is hope for me yet!! Keeping my fingers crossed! 

This tasty Asian-inspired dish is an easy meal for a fuss-free dinner. It consists of browned ground beef, tender-crisp snow peas, crunchy water chestnuts, and aromatic cracked peppercorns in a savory sauce. When served on a bed of rice, it pairs perfectly with the neutral flavor and starchiness of the grain.

Not sure how to cook rice? Check out my Chicken Pineapple and Rice for easy instructions for the stovetop method. I also like to use a rice cooker. You just set it and forget it. It is a kitchen appliance that I use all the time.

What type of ground beef to use?

I use 93% lean ground beef for this recipe. It has less fat than the other grades, loses less of its juices, and maintains more mass. 85%, 80%, and 73% lean are fine to use too. Keep in mind that the more fat the beef has, the more juice it renders (which will be drained for this recipe), and it loses slightly more weight once cooked. Choose what you like. They all are good.

How to prepare snow peas?

Snow peas are flat and have a “seam” side. The fibrous string on this side needs to be removed. Pinch the cap end without breaking it off entirely and pull downward along the seam. It should pull out in one long string.

Can I use regular ground black pepper?

A small amount of ground table black pepper is used in the recipe.  For the spicy, robust, and aromatic bite that highlights this dish, garnish with fresh-cracked peppercorns. They add textural interest and another layer of flavor that regular ground pepper alone can’t provide.

What variations can I make?

Variations of this dish can be made easily. Substitute the snow peas with broccoli or green beans. Onions or bell peppers would also be delicious! Mix and match the veggies if you like. Don’t want to use ground beef? Both ground chicken and pork are also wonderful substitutions.

That’s it for this time, friends! Come back here next time for another delicious post from yours truly!

UPDATE: This recipe was updated in March 2023 to make more sauce for more goodness to love!

Recommended supplies:

(Affiliate links. The products I recommend are either what I use, are on my wish list, or come highly rated.)

• Skillet with a lid—this 11-inch skillet is made with hard-anodized aluminum with a healthy ceramic nonstick coating free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium.
• Small mortar and pestle or a rolling pin to smash peppercorn.
• Fine mesh strainer—this is stainless steel with a reinforced and a rubber handle grip.
• Wooden turner/spatula

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Peppercorn Beef and Snow Peas

Author: Thao | In Good Flavor Cooking Method:Stovetop Cooked Cuisine:Asian Inspired Courses:Main Recipe Keys: Quick Meals High Protein

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 10 minutesCook time: 15 minutesTotal time: 25 minutesServings:4 Servings

Description

If a deliciously quick and easy meal is what you’re looking for, make this Peppercorn Beef and Snow Peas. It cooks in less than 15 minutes! Serve on a bed of rice for an ideal weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 6 ounces snow peas
• 1 1/2 pounds 93% lean ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 (5 ounces) can water chestnut, drained
• 1 heaping teaspoon peppercorn, freshly cracked

For the Sauce:

• 1/4 cup + 1/8 cup oyster sauce
• 3 tablespoons less sodium soy sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 1 scant tablespoon sesame oil
• 1/4 rounded teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 1 1/8 cups water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

1. Wash and remove the fibrous “string” along the seam of the snow peas. To remove the string: Snap the tip with the cap (if the cap is missing, it’s the “woodier” tip) without breaking it off entirely. Pull the cap down along the side of the snow pea to the opposite end to peel off the string. Discard the string. Set aside.
2. Use a mortar and pestle to crush peppercorns into coarse pieces. Or place it in a zipped storage bag and pound it with a rolling pin. Set aside.
   
3. Add all of the sauce ingredients to a bowl. Whisk to blend, making sure no cornstarch lumps are remaining. Set aside.
4. Preheat a large skillet on medium-high. Add oil. Add ground beef. Brown, using a spatula to break up into small chunks. After a minute, add ginger, garlic, salt, and ground black pepper. Continue cooking the beef until browned, about 4 minutes. 
5. Stir snow peas and water chestnuts into the ground beef. Reduce the heat to medium. Cover and cook for 1 minute. Add the sauce, stirring constantly until it begins to thicken. Immediately reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Simmer for about 3 minutes or until the snow peas are tender but crispy. 
6. Add a couple of generous pinches of the coarsely cracked peppers to finish. Don’t use the pulverized portion. Reserve it for another use.
7. Serve on a bed on a bed of rice or rice noodles.
8. Makes 4 servings.

Notes

• See here for directions on how to cook rice on the stovetop.
• If using a higher fat content ground beef, drain the extra liquid once cooked to prevent it from adding excess liquid and fat to the sauce.

Keywords:Beef, Asian Inspired, Budget-Friendly, Quick Meals

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