Black Pepper Angus Steak at Panda Express: Complete Guide

Panda Express Black Pepper Angus Steak was a limited-time premium menu item featuring tender Angus beef strips stir-fried with black pepper in a savory sauce. It was available as a protein option from approximately late 2021 through 2022 but is currently not part of Panda Express's permanent menu. The dish contained 280 calories per serving with 23g of protein and was positioned as a higher-quality protein alternative to their standard beef offerings.

The Black Pepper Angus Steak represented Panda Express's continued effort to expand beyond traditional American Chinese cuisine with premium protein options. This menu item joined other limited-time offerings like Teak Glazed Salmon and Honey Walnut Shrimp as part of the chain's strategy to attract customers seeking higher-quality ingredients and more sophisticated flavor profiles.

What Made Black Pepper Angus Steak Unique

Unlike Panda Express's standard beef dishes that typically use flank steak, the Black Pepper Angus Steak specifically featured Angus beef, which generally comes from a breed known for superior marbling and tenderness. The "angus" designation signaled a step up in quality from their regular protein options.

The preparation involved stir-frying the beef strips with cracked black pepper and a savory sauce that balanced saltiness with subtle sweetness. This preparation method differed from Panda Express's more famous Orange Chicken or Beijing Beef, which feature sweeter, crunchier preparations.

Nutritional Information	Per Serving (4.4 oz protein)
Calories	280
Total Fat	15g
Saturated Fat	6g
Cholesterol	95mg
Sodium	730mg
Total Carbohydrates	7g
Protein	23g

Menu History and Availability

Panda Express introduced the Black Pepper Angus Steak as a limited-time offering (LTO) around November 2021. The chain frequently rotates premium protein options to create menu excitement and drive repeat visits. While initially well-received, the dish eventually cycled off the menu as Panda Express introduced new limited-time offerings.

As of 2023, Black Pepper Angus Steak is not available on Panda Express's standard menu. The company regularly tests new items in select markets before potential nationwide rollout, so it's possible this dish or a similar premium steak option could return in the future.

How It Compared to Other Panda Express Offerings

The Black Pepper Angus Steak occupied a specific niche within Panda Express's menu:

• Flavor profile: Savory and peppery rather than sweet like Orange Chicken or Honey Walnut Shrimp
• Protein quality: Marketed as Angus beef, suggesting higher quality than standard beef options
• Preparation: Stir-fried strips rather than battered and fried like many other protein options
• Price point: Typically priced higher than standard protein options as a premium item

Customers who preferred less sweet, more traditionally savory Chinese preparations often favored this dish over Panda Express's more popular sweet-and-sour offerings.

Customer Reception and Reviews

During its availability, the Black Pepper Angus Steak received generally positive reviews from customers seeking a less sweet option at Panda Express. Many reviewers appreciated the tender texture of the Angus beef and the bold black pepper flavor that provided a nice contrast to the chain's typically sweeter dishes.

Common positive feedback included:

• "Finally a savory option that doesn't taste overly sweet"
• "The beef was noticeably more tender than their regular steak options"
• "Great alternative for those who don't like Panda Express's typical sweet sauces"

Some customers noted the dish was relatively simple compared to more complex Panda Express offerings, with the black pepper flavor being the primary distinguishing characteristic.

How to Recreate Black Pepper Angus Steak at Home

While Panda Express's version isn't currently available, you can create a similar dish at home with these basic components:

• Angus beef sirloin or tenderloin, thinly sliced against the grain
• Freshly cracked black pepper (essential for authentic flavor)
• Garlic and ginger for aromatic base
• Soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a touch of sugar for the sauce
• Rice wine or sherry for depth of flavor
• Cornstarch for velveting the beef and thickening the sauce

The key technique involves velveting the beef (marinating in egg white and cornstarch) before quick stir-frying to maintain tenderness, then finishing with a hot wok for that characteristic restaurant-style texture.

Current Premium Protein Options at Panda Express

While Black Pepper Angus Steak is unavailable, Panda Express currently offers these premium protein alternatives:

• Teak Glazed Salmon: Another limited-time offering that has become somewhat regular
• Honey Walnut Shrimp: A long-standing premium option
• Black Pepper Chicken: A more readily available peppery option
• Kung Pao Chicken: For those seeking spicy rather than sweet

Customers interested in steak-like options might consider the regular Beef & Broccoli or the more premium Mandarin Chicken, though neither specifically features Angus beef or a black pepper preparation.

Understanding Panda Express's Limited-Time Offering Strategy

Panda Express frequently rotates limited-time offerings to maintain customer interest and drive traffic. Their strategy typically follows this pattern:

1. Introduce a premium protein option as a limited-time offering
2. Market it as a higher-quality alternative to standard menu items
3. Rotate it off the menu after 2-4 months
4. Replace with a new premium offering
5. Occasionally bring back popular LTOs based on customer demand

This approach creates a sense of urgency for customers to try items before they disappear, while allowing Panda Express to test new concepts without permanent menu changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Black Pepper Angus Steak still available at Panda Express?

No, Black Pepper Angus Steak is not currently available on Panda Express's standard menu. It was offered as a limited-time item from approximately late 2021 through 2022 but has since been rotated off the menu as part of Panda Express's regular limited-time offering cycle.

What was in Panda Express's Black Pepper Angus Steak?

Panda Express's Black Pepper Angus Steak featured tender strips of Angus beef stir-fried with cracked black pepper in a savory sauce. The dish was positioned as a premium protein option with a more sophisticated flavor profile than their standard sweet-and-sour offerings, containing 280 calories and 23g of protein per serving.

How does Black Pepper Angus Steak compare to other Panda Express steak options?

Black Pepper Angus Steak differed from standard Panda Express steak options by featuring specifically labeled Angus beef, which typically has better marbling and tenderness. It also had a savory black pepper preparation rather than the sweet sauces used in dishes like Beijing Beef or the standard Beef & Broccoli. As a limited-time premium offering, it was typically priced higher than regular protein options.

Will Panda Express bring back Black Pepper Angus Steak?

While Panda Express does occasionally bring back popular limited-time offerings, there's no official indication that Black Pepper Angus Steak will return. The company frequently tests new premium protein options, so a similar steak dish with black pepper flavoring could potentially be reintroduced in the future as part of their rotating menu strategy.

What's the closest current alternative to Black Pepper Angus Steak at Panda Express?

The closest current alternative to Black Pepper Angus Steak at Panda Express is Black Pepper Chicken, which features a similar savory black pepper sauce preparation. For steak options, Beef & Broccoli remains the standard choice, though it lacks the specific Angus beef designation and has a different sauce profile than the discontinued item.