There is nothing quite like a warm, comforting meal that practically cooks itself while filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas. This Delicious Pepper Steak Slow Cooker Recipe is a game changer for busy weeknights or anytime you crave a hearty, flavorful dish without the fuss. Tender strips of beef melt in your mouth, paired with vibrant bell peppers and a rich, tangy sauce that’s perfectly balanced with sweet and savory notes. Whether you’re new to slow cooking or a seasoned pro, this recipe promises satisfying results every time and will quickly become one of your go-to meals.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this Delicious Pepper Steak Slow Cooker Recipe lies in its simple, wholesome ingredients. Each component plays a key role: the beef brings robust protein and texture, the bell peppers add sweetness and color, and the savory sauce melds everything together into pure comfort food perfection.
- 1 1/2 pounds beef sirloin or flank steak: Thinly sliced into strips for quick, even cooking and tenderness.
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce and gives the beef a nice coating.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors evenly throughout the dish.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Adds a subtle kick and depth to the beef.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional): Perfect for searing the beef to lock in juices and boost flavor.
- 1 green bell pepper: Sliced for fresh crunch and vibrant color.
- 1 red bell pepper: Adds sweetness and beautiful contrast to the green pepper.
- 1 small onion: Sliced for natural sweetness and aromatic depth.
- 3 cloves garlic: Minced to infuse the dish with savory warmth.
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce: The umami backbone of the sauce that marries the flavors.
- 1/3 cup beef broth: Adds richness and moisture, keeping the beef tender and juicy.
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar: Balances the savory with a subtle touch of sweetness.
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or white vinegar): Provides a bright tang that lifts the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste: Deepens the sauce color and adds a slight earthiness.
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger: Brings a mild warmth and spice to the overall flavor profile.
How to Make Delicious Pepper Steak Slow Cooker Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Beef
Begin by tossing your thinly sliced beef in a bowl with cornstarch, salt, and black pepper so that every strip is evenly coated. This coating helps develop a luscious sauce texture while seasoning the meat perfectly from within.
Step 2: Optional Sear for Maximum Flavor
If you want to take the flavor up a notch, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and quickly sear the beef strips for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side. This step isn’t necessary, but it creates a delicious caramelized crust that really enhances the dish.
Step 3: Layer the Slow Cooker
Transfer the beef into your slow cooker, then add the sliced green and red bell peppers, onion, and minced garlic. These fresh veggies will cook down slowly, adding sweetness and vibrant colors to your meal.
Step 4: Make the Sauce and Pour It In
Whisk together the soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, rice vinegar, tomato paste, and ground ginger in a small bowl. Pour this flavorful mixture evenly over the beef and veggies in the slow cooker, ensuring everything is coated in the delicious sauce.
Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours. The beef will become tender and the peppers soft but still retain a bit of their bite — the sign of a perfectly cooked pepper steak.
Step 6: Finish and Serve
Before serving, give everything a gentle stir to combine the flavors and sauce. If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir it in 30 minutes before the end of cooking to achieve that perfect consistency.
How to Serve Delicious Pepper Steak Slow Cooker Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes like freshly chopped green onions or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds add a delightful crunch and an extra pop of color that makes the dish even more inviting and restaurant-worthy right at home.
Side Dishes
This pepper steak pairs wonderfully with steamed white rice, fluffy jasmine rice, or even noodles for soaking up all that luscious sauce. For a low-carb option, cauliflower rice is a fantastic choice that keeps the meal light and fresh.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your pepper steak in lettuce wraps for a fun and interactive experience, or pile it on top of a vibrant quinoa salad for a modern twist. You could even spoon it over baked sweet potatoes for a delicious fusion of flavors and textures.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover pepper steak keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making your next meal even tastier and more convenient.
Freezing
If you’d like to save some for later, this dish freezes quite well. Portion it out into freezer-safe containers and store for up to 3 months. Just remember that the peppers might soften a little more upon thawing but the flavor remains fantastic.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the pepper steak in a skillet over medium heat or microwave it in short bursts, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating without drying out the beef.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?
Absolutely! While sirloin or flank steak works wonderfully for tenderness and flavor, you can also use skirt steak or even stew meat. Just make sure to thinly slice it for the best texture after slow cooking.
Is it necessary to sear the beef before slow cooking?
Searing is optional but highly recommended. It locks in juices and creates a more complex flavor with that mouthwatering browned crust, but if you’re short on time, you can skip it and still enjoy a delicious meal.
How can I make the sauce thicker without cornstarch?
If you prefer to avoid cornstarch, you can simmer the slow cooker contents uncovered for the last 30 minutes to evaporate some liquid and naturally thicken the sauce.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, and double-check that your beef broth is gluten-free as well; this way, the dish stays gluten-free and equally delicious.
What can I use as a substitute for rice vinegar?
White vinegar or apple cider vinegar make good substitutes if rice vinegar isn’t on hand, but use a little less since they tend to be more acidic—around two-thirds of the amount should work nicely.
Final Thoughts
Trust me when I say this Delicious Pepper Steak Slow Cooker Recipe will become one of your all-time favorites for a reason. It’s a perfect blend of convenience, incredible flavors, and comforting textures that keep you coming back for more. Next time you want an effortless yet impressive meal, pull out your slow cooker and let this recipe work its magic—it’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug from the inside.
Print
Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (low) or 3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Delicious Pepper Steak Slow Cooker Recipe offers a flavorful and tender beef dish perfect for busy days. Thinly sliced sirloin or flank steak is slow-cooked with vibrant bell peppers, onions, and a savory Asian-inspired sauce for a hearty main course that’s easy to prepare and sure to satisfy.
Ingredients
Beef and Seasoning
- 1 1/2 pounds beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced into strips
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for searing, optional)
Vegetables
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Prepare the beef: In a bowl, toss the thinly sliced steak with cornstarch, salt, and black pepper until the meat is evenly coated. This helps thicken the sauce later and seasons the beef.
- Sear the beef (optional): Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Quickly sear the beef strips for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. This step enhances flavor but can be skipped for convenience.
- Add ingredients to slow cooker: Transfer the beef strips to the slow cooker. Layer the sliced green and red bell peppers, onion, and minced garlic over the beef.
- Make and add the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, rice vinegar, tomato paste, and ground ginger. Pour this mixture evenly over the beef and vegetables in the slow cooker.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Cooking until the beef is tender and the peppers are soft but still hold their shape.
- Optional sauce thickening: For a thicker sauce, about 30 minutes before the end of cooking, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water and stir into the slow cooker.
- Serve: Stir everything just before serving and enjoy hot over rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Thickening the sauce at the end with a cornstarch slurry enhances texture.
- Leftovers reheat well, making this recipe ideal for meal prep.
- Searing the meat before slow cooking adds deeper flavor but can be skipped for a faster prep.
