I love Garlic Pepper Beef, but if I’m being honest, it always reminds me of the Jollibee fast-food version I grew up with. It wasn’t until recently that I tried making it at home—and let me tell you, it was something special. The beef is so tender, the mushrooms are perfectly sautéed, and the peppery sauce has just the right amount of kick. Plus, the crispy garlic on top adds a delightful crunch. You can serve it with a side of rice or even some garlic bread. Here’s how to bring this comforting, bold dish to your own kitchen with simple ingredients and easy steps.
Why You’ll Love It
This dish combines everything you love about comfort food: tender beef, rich and flavorful gravy, and a perfect blend of mushrooms and garlic. The peppery kick adds just the right amount of heat, while the crispy garlic bits bring a nice crunch to every bite. Plus, it’s easy to make with ingredients you probably already have at home. Whether you’re craving a hearty meal or just want to recreate that Jollibee magic, this Garlic Pepper Beef will definitely hit the spot!
Why This Dish is One of My Favorites
Garlic Pepper Beef has always been one of my comfort meals. The combination of tender beef, a simple peppery sauce, and crunchy garlic on top makes it really enjoyable. It’s flavorful, filling, and surprisingly easy to make at home. I also love it because it brings back memories from my time in the Philippines when I’d often order it at Jollibee, where it’s served as part of their breakfast menu with fried egg and garlic rice. The garlicky taste was always so satisfying.
I especially remember the mornings when my mom and I would go jogging and then stop by Jollibee for breakfast. I’d always go for the Garlic Pepper Beef—affordable and delicious, with that extra touch of toasted garlic on top. It’s a simple dish, but it brings back warm memories of those mornings with my mom, making it one of my favorites to this day.
Ingredients and Easy Substitutes
For this dish, I usually go for thinly sliced sirloin or ribeye because it cooks quickly and stays juicy. But if you want something leaner, beef tenderloin or even chicken works perfectly too! The sauce gets its depth from a mix of oyster sauce, soy sauce, and mirin. Don’t have mirin? No worries! You can swap it out with rice vinegar and a pinch of sugar to get that sweet and tangy balance.
Cooking Tips I Swear By
Here’s my trick—always fry the beef first to get those crispy edges that really soak up the sauce. In a separate pan, I make the mushroom sauce with butter and soy sauce, then thicken it with a bit of flour to make it silky and rich. And trust me, you cannot skip the toasted garlic—it gives the dish that amazing crunch and extra flavor that takes it to another level!
How I Like to Serve It
I usually serve my Garlic Pepper Beef with steamed rice (because, let’s be real, rice just makes everything better), but it’s also amazing over mashed potatoes if you want to mix things up. Honestly, with these simple steps, you can bring the flavors of Jollibee right into your own kitchen, and it’ll feel just as comforting every time!
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Garlic Pepper Beef with Mushrooms
Sauté the Beef
Heat a little oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the thinly sliced beef in a single layer to get a good sear. Stir in the oyster sauce, soy sauce, mirin, and freshly cracked black pepper. Sauté the beef until it’s browned, tender, and the sauce has thickened slightly, coating the meat. This should only take about 5-7 minutes. Once done, remove the beef from the pan and set aside.
Make the Mushroom Sauce
In the same pan or a new one, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and sauté them until they’re golden brown and have released their moisture, about 5 minutes. Pour in the soy sauce, sprinkle with pepper, and add a splash of water. Let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes to allow the mushrooms to absorb the flavors.
Thicken the Sauce
While the sauce is simmering, slowly sprinkle in the flour, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens to a nice, smooth consistency. If it gets too thick, add a little more water to loosen it up to your liking.
Combine
Return the cooked beef to the pan with the mushroom sauce. Mix everything together, making sure the beef is well-coated in the sauce. Let it all simmer for another 2-3 minutes so the beef absorbs the rich flavors from the sauce.
Serve
Transfer the Garlic Pepper Beef onto a serving dish, and generously top with crispy toasted garlic for that extra crunch and flavor. Serve it alongside steamed rice or mashed potatoes, and enjoy this savory, comforting meal!
Cooking Tips for Garlic Pepper Beef with Mushrooms
- Sear the Beef: Make sure the pan is hot before adding the beef. This helps lock in the juices and gives the beef a nice crust. Don’t overcrowd the pan, or the beef will steam instead of getting a good sear.
- Cook Mushrooms Just Right: Sauté the mushrooms until they’re golden and tender, but not too soft. This adds a rich, earthy flavor to the dish.
- Use Fresh Black Pepper: For a stronger flavor, try using freshly cracked black pepper. It makes the sauce more aromatic and bold.
- Toast the Garlic Carefully: When toasting minced garlic, stir it continuously until it turns golden brown. Remove it from the heat right away so it doesn’t burn and taste bitter.
- Thicken Slowly: Add the flour gradually while stirring to avoid lumps. If the sauce gets too thick, you can always add a bit more water to thin it out.
Garlic Pepper Beef with Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 500g beef, thinly sliced (sirloin or ribeye works best)
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter (for toasting the garlic)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 200g mushrooms, sliced (button or cremini)
- 2 tablespoons butter (for the mushroom sauce)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (for the mushroom sauce)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (for the mushroom sauce)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon flour (to thicken the sauce)
- Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions
- In a pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Once done, remove the garlic from the pan and set aside for later use as a topping.
- In the same pan, heat a little oil over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced beef and sauté with oyster sauce, soy sauce, mirin, and freshly cracked black pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and tender, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook until they’re golden brown and have released their moisture, about 5 more minutes.
- Pour in the soy sauce and sprinkle with black pepper. Add a splash of water to help the sauce come together. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to allow the mushrooms and onions to absorb the flavors.
- Gradually sprinkle in the flour while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens to a smooth consistency. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a bit more water to loosen it up.
- Return the sautéed beef to the pan with the mushroom and onion sauce. Stir everything together, letting it simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Transfer the Garlic Pepper Beef with Mushrooms and Onions to a serving dish. Generously top the dish with the crispy minced garlic for added crunch and flavor. Serve hot over steamed rice and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Beef Cut: Use thinly sliced beef (sirloin or flank steak works well) to ensure it cooks quickly and stays tender.
- Garlic Topping: Toast garlic in a small amount of oil until golden brown. Set aside for garnish; it adds that signature crispy garlic topping that elevates the dish.
