Description
This Slow Cooker Pepper Steak is a delicious and easy-to-make Asian-inspired dish featuring tender strips of beef sirloin or flank steak, bell peppers, and onions simmered in a flavorful soy-based sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, it cooks low and slow to maximize tenderness and depth of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Coating
- 1½ pounds beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced into strips
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- â…“ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ cup beef broth
To Serve
- Cooked white rice
- Chopped green onions or sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Place the thinly sliced beef in a large bowl and toss it with cornstarch until the strips are evenly coated. This helps thicken the sauce later and adds a nice texture.
- Sear the Beef (Optional but Recommended): Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. In batches, sear the beef strips for 2–3 minutes just until browned on the outside. This step enhances the flavor but can be skipped for convenience. Transfer the seared beef to the crock pot.
- Add Vegetables and Aromatics: Add the sliced green and red bell peppers, yellow onion, and minced garlic into the crock pot over the beef.
- Mix and Add Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, oyster sauce (if using), ground ginger, black pepper, and beef broth. Pour this flavorful mixture evenly over the beef and vegetables in the crock pot.
- Cook: Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 2½ to 3 hours. The beef should become tender and the sauce will thicken slightly to coat the ingredients well.
- Serve: Spoon the hot pepper steak over cooked white rice. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired for a fresh and nutty finish.
Notes
- Searing the beef before slow cooking is optional but adds a richer flavor and better texture.
- For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha to the sauce mixture.
- This recipe is versatile and also works great with thinly sliced chicken or pork if preferred.
- To make it gluten-free, substitute tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce for the soy sauce.
