This Slow Cooker Pepper Steak recipe delivers a delicious, savory, and satisfying meal with minimal effort. Tender slices of beef and colorful bell peppers simmer in a rich umami sauce, creating a dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it over rice, noodles, or your favorite side dish for a complete and comforting meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Preparation: Simply toss the ingredients in your slow cooker and let it do the work!
- Melt-in-Your-Mouth Tenderness: Slow cooking creates incredibly tender and flavorful beef.
- Hands-Off Cooking: No need to monitor or stir – perfect for busy days.
- Quick Prep: Just a few minutes of slicing vegetables is all it takes.
- Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy it over rice, noodles, potatoes, or your favorite grains.
Ingredients
- Beef: Sirloin strips (or sirloin tips, beef for stir fry, or sirloin steaks cut into long slices)
- Bell Peppers: A colorful mix of green, yellow, red, and orange (or use all green for a classic taste)
- Onion: Sweet or yellow onion
- Garlic: Fresh cloves or garlic powder in a pinch
- Beef Broth: Or use water and bouillon cubes
- Beef Bouillon Cubes: Adds rich flavor
- Soy Sauce: Enhances the savory notes
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds depth and complexity
- Honey: For a touch of sweetness (or substitute agave or maple syrup)
- Ginger: Ground ginger or freshly grated ginger root
- Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a mixing glass, combine hot beef broth, bouillon cubes, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, honey, ginger, black pepper, salt, and cornstarch. Stir well to dissolve the bouillon cubes.
- Layer the Ingredients: Place beef strips in the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the beef. Top with bell peppers, onions, and garlic.
- Slow Cook: Cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours. Stir halfway through if possible.
- Serve: Once cooked, stir well and serve over rice, noodles, or your preferred side dish.
Chef’s Tip
For crispier peppers, add them to the slow cooker during the last hour of cooking time.
Serving Suggestions
- Rice: White, basmati, brown, wild rice blend
- Noodles: Lo mein, ramen, or other Asian-style noodles
- Grains: Quinoa, couscous, barley, farro
- Side Dishes: Steamed vegetables (broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, green beans), mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, mashed cauliflower, sweet potatoes, roasted baby potatoes
Variations
- Single-Color Peppers: Use all green bell peppers for a more traditional flavor.
- Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or chopped jalapenos for heat.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Recipe FAQs
Can I freeze this recipe?
Yes! Freeze before cooking by placing sliced meat, peppers, and onions in a freezer bag, and the sauce in a separate bag. Freeze for up to 6 months. Cook from frozen on low for 6 hours. You can also freeze cooked pepper steak with rice for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
What other cuts of beef can I use?
Sirloin is ideal, but you can use “beef for stir fry” or sirloin tips. If using sirloin steaks, slice them into long strips about 1 inch thick.
How long does it take to cook in a crockpot?
Cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 6 hours.
How can I get crispier peppers?
Add peppers during the last hour of cooking time for a crispier texture. However, cooking them the full time allows the peppers to flavor the sauce.
Slow Cooker Pepper Steak
Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes | Servings: 6 | Calories: 267
Description:
This Slow Cooker Pepper Steak is tender, flavorful, and perfect for busy days. Enjoy this Chinese-inspired dish over rice, noodles, or potatoes for a comforting meal.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs beef sirloin strips
- 3 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¾ cup beef broth
- 3 beef bouillon cubes
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp cornstarch or flour
Instructions
- Make Sauce: Mix hot beef broth, bouillon cubes, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, honey, ginger, pepper, salt, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Layer Ingredients: Add beef strips to the slow cooker, pour sauce over, and top with peppers, onions, and garlic.
- Cook: Set to LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours, stirring halfway if possible.
- Finish: Stir well after cooking and serve over rice, noodles, or potatoes.
Nutrition Info (per serving):
Calories: 267 | Carbs: 18g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 1229mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 11g