Hearty Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe: A Cozy Meal Magic

Tender strips of beef simmering in a savory slow cooker pepper steak sauce create a mouthwatering meal that promises comfort in every bite.

The rich aroma fills your kitchen with warmth and anticipation.

Juicy steak pieces meld beautifully with colorful bell peppers, creating a robust and satisfying dinner option.

Weeknight meals don’t get much easier or more delicious than this hearty dish.

Packed with bold flavors and minimal prep work, this recipe turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Grab your slow cooker and get ready to savor a restaurant-quality dinner without the hassle of complicated cooking techniques.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours

Total Time: 21 minutes

Calories: 310 kcal

Servings: 5

Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Ingredient Breakdown

• Beef Steak: Choose well-marbled, tender cuts like sirloin or flank steak for maximum flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

• Bell Peppers, Onions: Select crisp, vibrant peppers and sweet onions that add color, crunch, and aromatic depth to the dish.

• Soy Sauce: Brings rich umami and salty complexity to enhance the meat's natural flavors.
• Brown Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps create a glossy, caramelized sauce.
• Beef Broth: Provides a robust liquid base that tenderizes the meat and builds layered taste.
• Cornstarch: Acts as a magical thickening agent to transform the cooking liquid into a silky, clingy sauce.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out the meat's natural taste and provide a classic flavor foundation.

• White Rice: Serves as the perfect fluffy, neutral base to soak up the delicious pepper steak sauce.

Slow Cooker Tools That Work Best for Pepper Steak

• Slow Cooker: Essential for cooking the pepper steak low and slow, creating tender meat.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending cornstarch and water smoothly without lumps.
• Small Bowl: Ideal for mixing cornstarch slurry and combining seasonings.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps accurately measure ingredients like soy sauce and brown sugar.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for slicing beef and chopping bell peppers and onions.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for food preparation.

How to Make Tender, Saucy Pepper Steak Slow-Cooked

• Meat and Veggie Base

Nestle tender beef strips alongside colorful bell pepper slices and sweet onion rings inside your trusty slow cooker.

• Flavor Infusion

Blend a rich harmony of seasonings, sweet brown sugar, and savory soy sauce, then generously drench the meat and vegetables with this aromatic mixture.

• Liquid Foundation

Pour beef broth into the slow cooker, gently stirring to marry all the ingredients together.

• Slow and Gentle Cooking

Allow the magical slow cooker to transform your ingredients, simmering on low for 5-6 hours or high for 2.5-3 hours until the beef becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender.

• Sauce Transformation

Create a quick slurry by mixing cornstarch with cool water, then swirl into the bubbling pot to elevate the sauce from thin to luxuriously thick.

• Delicious Presentation

Cradle your succulent pepper steak over a bed of fluffy white rice, ready to delight hungry diners with its incredible aroma and flavor.

Flavor Add-Ins for This Classic Comfort Dish

• Swap out traditional bell peppers with spicier jalapeños or milder poblano peppers for a personalized flavor profile.
• Replace beef with chicken, pork, or tofu to create a lighter version of this classic slow cooker meal that suits different dietary preferences.
• Add a splash of rice vinegar or a teaspoon of sesame oil to deepen the sauce's umami flavor and bring more complexity to the dish.
• Double the recipe and freeze individual portions in airtight containers for quick weeknight dinners that save time and reduce cooking stress.

Serving Pepper Steak for Cozys

• Pair with Steamed Rice: Ladle the rich, saucy pepper steak over fluffy white rice to soak up all the delicious flavors and create a complete meal.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped green onions or cilantro on top for a burst of color and added freshness that brightens the entire dish.
• Create a Balanced Plate: Add a side of roasted vegetables or a light Asian-inspired salad to complement the hearty pepper steak and provide extra nutrition.
• Enhance with Condiments: Set out sriracha sauce, extra soy sauce, or chili oil so everyone can customize their plate and adjust the flavor to their liking.

How to Store Pepper Steak Without Drying Out

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover pepper steak in an airtight container within two hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Pack cooled steak in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen pepper steak remains delicious for up to 3 months.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated steak in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of beef broth to maintain moisture. Microwave in short intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare the entire recipe on weekends, portioning into individual containers for quick grab-and-go lunches or dinners during busy weekdays. Label containers with dates to track freshness.

Tender Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 21 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Pepper steak simmers with tender beef strips in a rich, savory sauce that promises comfort and flavor. Home cooks will discover an easy, satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) round steak, cut into thin strips
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced thick
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced thick
• 0.5 onion, sliced thick
• 1.5 cups (360 ml) beef broth
• 0.25 cup (60 ml) soy sauce
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsps cornstarch
• 2 tbsps cold water
• 0.5 tsp ground ginger
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Layer seasoned beef strips, vibrant bell peppers, and sliced onions in the slow cooker, creating a robust foundation for this hearty meal.
2. Marinade Creation: Blend soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar into a harmonious liquid, thoroughly massaging the mixture over the meat and vegetable ensemble to infuse deep, complex flavors.
3. Liquid Integration: Gently pour beef broth into the slow cooker, stirring carefully to distribute seasonings and ensure uniform flavor penetration.
4. Slow Cooking Process: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, allowing the meat to transform into meltingly tender morsels that absorb the surrounding aromatics.
5. Sauce Refinement: Whisk cornstarch with cold water to create a silky thickening agent, then fold into the cooking liquid during the final 30 minutes to develop a glossy, rich sauce that clings beautifully to the meat and vegetables.
6. Serving: Cascade the pepper steak over steamed rice, drizzling the luxurious sauce across the dish, creating a visually stunning and deeply satisfying culinary experience.

Notes

• Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Letting beef strips sit in the soy sauce mixture for 30 minutes before cooking intensifies the taste and tenderizes the meat.
• Choose the Right Cut: Select lean beef cuts like sirloin or flank steak that break down beautifully during slow cooking, ensuring maximum tenderness.
• Manage Sauce Thickness: Adjust cornstarch slurry gradually to control sauce consistency – add slowly to prevent over-thickening and maintain a silky texture.
• Temperature Matters: Keep slow cooker lid sealed during cooking to trap moisture and prevent beef from drying out, resulting in perfectly tender meat.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Chinese-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg