If you’re craving a comforting, flavorful meal that practically cooks itself, you are going to absolutely love this Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe. It’s one of those dishes that fills your home with irresistible aromas while transforming simple beef strips and vibrant peppers into a tender, saucy delight. With just a handful of everyday ingredients and minimal prep, this recipe delivers a perfect balance of savory, slightly sweet, and subtly spicy notes that make every bite a winner. Trust me, this slow cooker version is pure magic on a plate!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these straightforward ingredients is all you need to create a restaurant-quality meal at home. Each item plays a key role, from the tender beef strips to the colorful peppers that add both texture and freshness. The mix of sauces and spices gives the dish its rich depth, while a touch of brown sugar balances everything with subtle sweetness.
- Beef strips: About 2 pounds of thinly sliced beef, perfect for absorbing all those delicious flavors as it slow cooks.
- Green bell pepper: One sliced thick to add a crisp, slightly bitter freshness that contrasts the savory beef.
- Red bell pepper: One sliced thick, bringing vibrant color and sweet notes to the dish.
- White onion: Sliced to meld mellow sweetness and a touch of sharpness into the sauce.
- Water: Half a cup to dissolve the bouillon cubes, which form the flavorful broth base.
- Beef bouillon cubes: Two cubes for a rich, meaty essence that intensifies the sauce.
- Soy sauce: Three tablespoons to add umami and saltiness that enhances all other flavors.
- Worcestershire sauce: One teaspoon, lending tang and complexity to the sauce.
- Ground ginger: A quarter teaspoon to provide a warm, subtle spice note.
- Garlic powder: A quarter teaspoon for its unmistakable aromatic punch.
- Black pepper: Half a teaspoon, freshly ground if possible, for a gentle heat.
- Brown sugar: Two teaspoons, or substitute honey or white sugar, to balance the savoriness.
- Cornstarch: One tablespoon, the secret to that perfect thick and silky sauce.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): A quarter teaspoon if you want to add a little kick of heat.
How to Make Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Broth Base
Start by creating the flavorful sauce base. In a small microwavable bowl, combine the water and beef bouillon cubes. Heat for about 30 seconds until the bouillon dissolves completely. If you don’t have a microwave, simply boil the water on the stove and stir the cubes in until smooth. This step ensures that the broth is rich and ready to carry all the other ingredients to saucy perfection.
Step 2: Combine the Sauces and Spices
Into the bowl with your savory broth, whisk in the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ground ginger, garlic powder, black pepper, brown sugar, and cornstarch. If you’re feeling adventurous, sprinkle in those red pepper flakes for a little heat. Whisk everything until smooth – this mixture is the heart of your Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe, delivering layers of flavor that meld beautifully throughout the cooking process.
Step 3: Layer the Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
Pour the sauce mixture into the slow cooker first, creating a lovely base for the beef and vegetables. Next, add the beef strips, followed by the thickly sliced green and red bell peppers and white onion. By layering it like this, the meat stays tender and juicy, while the vegetables soften perfectly without losing their bright flavors and colors.
Step 4: Cook Low and Slow
Place the lid on your slow cooker and set it to LOW for 5 hours. The magic happens here as the beef becomes tender and all the flavors marry together in that luscious sauce. The slow cooking lets the spices mellow and the peppers absorb the savory juices, making this dish irresistibly juicy and flavorful.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes can elevate this dish from comforting home-cooked meal to a special dinner sensation. Freshly chopped green onions or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds add a bit of crunch and extra flavor contrast. A dash of freshly cracked black pepper on top will highlight the peppery notes beautifully.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs wonderfully with humble sides that soak up the tasty sauce. Fluffy steamed white or brown rice is a classic choice, providing a neutral base to balance the bold flavors. You might also consider buttery mashed potatoes or even a side of steamed jasmine rice for a fragrant twist. For a lighter option, steamed green beans or sautéed Asian-style greens offer a fresh, crisp complement.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun family meal, serve the pepper steak over individual bowls of rice, garnished with fresh herbs like cilantro or basil. If you’re hosting, turn things into a stir-fry style buffet by offering steamed rice, noodle options, and sides of pickled vegetables so everyone can personalize their plates. Alternatively, spoon this delicious mixture over warm toasted baguette slices for an unexpected and delightful open-faced sandwich twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe keeps remarkably well in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container, and it will stay fresh for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens as it cools, which makes reheated portions even more luscious and flavorful.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, this dish freezes beautifully. Transfer cooled portions into freezer-safe containers or bags, removing as much air as possible. It will keep well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results before reheating gently.
Reheating
Gently reheat your leftovers in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. If the sauce has thickened too much, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up and restore that silky texture. Reheating slowly will keep the beef tender and the peppers tender yet vibrant.
FAQs
Can I use other cuts of beef for this recipe?
Absolutely! While beef strips work best for quick tenderness and flavor absorption, thinly sliced flank steak, sirloin, or even stew meat can be used. Just adjust cooking time if you switch to tougher cuts to ensure they become tender.
Is it possible to make this recipe spicy?
Yes! In addition to the optional red pepper flakes, you could add a dash of chili powder or a chopped fresh chili when layering ingredients in the slow cooker to give your pepper steak a fiery kick.
Can I add other vegetables to the slow cooker?
Definitely. Mushrooms, snap peas, or sliced carrots work well and add more color and texture to the dish. Just be mindful of cooking times—add harder vegetables like carrots early and delicate ones like snap peas later.
Do I need to brown the beef before adding it to the slow cooker?
Browning the beef is optional for this recipe. It adds extra depth of flavor but skipping it saves time and the dish will still be delicious after cooking low and slow with all the sauce and seasonings.
Can I make the sauce thicker if I prefer it that way?
Yes. If, after cooking, you want a thicker sauce, mix an extra teaspoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the pot. Turn the slow cooker to high and cook uncovered for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens to your liking.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe is one of those gems you’ll want to keep in your meal rotation. It’s incredibly comforting, deeply flavorful, and effortlessly simple. Whether you’re feeding family, meal prepping, or inviting friends over, the rich sauce, tender beef, and vibrant peppers make for a crowd-pleasing dish you can feel proud of. Go ahead and try it tonight—you’ll be amazed at how easy and satisfying slow cooker magic can be!
Print
Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Slow Cooker Pepper Steak is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring tender beef strips simmered with vibrant bell peppers and onions in a rich, savory sauce. Perfectly seasoned with soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and a hint of spice, this easy-to-make slow cooker recipe delivers a comforting and satisfying meal with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs. beef strips
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced thick
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced thick
- 1 white onion, sliced
Sauce Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- 2 beef bouillon cubes
- 3 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ tsp. ground ginger
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- 2 tsp. brown sugar (honey or white sugar can be used)
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
- ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Bouillon Mixture: In a small microwavable bowl, combine water and beef bouillon cubes. Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir until the bouillon cubes are fully dissolved using the back of a spoon or whisk tip. Alternatively, boil the water on the stovetop if a microwave is not available.
- Make the Sauce: Add soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ground ginger, garlic powder, black pepper, brown sugar, and cornstarch to the bouillon mixture. Whisk thoroughly until smooth. If you prefer a bit of heat, mix in the red pepper flakes at this stage.
- Assemble in Slow Cooker: Pour the prepared sauce into the slow cooker. Layer the beef strips, green and red bell peppers, and sliced white onions evenly over the sauce.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW setting for 5 hours, allowing the beef to become tender and the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Notes
- For thicker sauce consistency, if desired, you can stir the mixture halfway through cooking and add a little more cornstarch dissolved in cold water.
- Feel free to swap the brown sugar for honey or white sugar for a different sweetness profile.
- If you like a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes according to your taste.
- This recipe pairs well with steamed white rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
