Effortless Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe: Tender Bites of Joy

Beef simmering in a rich, savory slow cooker pepper steak sauce promises a mouthwatering meal that’ll make dinner feel extraordinary.

Tender strips of meat melt into a robust blend of bell peppers and aromatic seasonings.

Weekend meal prep transforms into a delightful culinary experience with minimal effort.

The combination of classic Asian-inspired flavors creates a hearty dish perfect for busy households.

Packed with protein and bursting with bold tastes, this recipe delivers comfort in every bite.

Weeknight dinners just got an upgrade with this simple yet satisfying meal that comes together effortlessly.

Dive into a plate of pure deliciousness that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Flavor Boosts for Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

• Meat Selection Magic: Choose flank steak, chuck roast, or sirloin for maximum tenderness. Trim excess fat before slicing to keep the dish lean and delicious.
• Spice It Up: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce for extra heat. Experiment with different peppers like jalapeños or poblano for a unique flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Twist: Replace rice with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lighter meal. This swap cuts down calories while maintaining the dish's incredible taste.
• Meal Prep Hack: Double the recipe and freeze portions for quick weeknight dinners. The steak reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to develop.
• Veggie Boost: Toss in additional vegetables like mushrooms, broccoli, or snap peas during the last hour of cooking. These extras add nutrition and create a more colorful, exciting meal.

Serving Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Just Right

• Comfort Plate Companion: Serve this rich pepper steak over fluffy white rice to soak up the delicious savory sauce, creating a complete and satisfying meal.
• Asian-Inspired Side Kick: Pair with quick-pickled cucumber slices and sesame seeds for a tangy, crunchy contrast that elevates the tender beef's deep flavors.
• Veggie Balance Boost: Complement the dish with steamed broccoli or roasted asparagus to add a fresh, green element that cuts through the meat's richness and provides extra nutrition.
• Family-Style Feast: Present the pepper steak in a large serving bowl at the center of the table, allowing everyone to scoop their desired portion over personal rice or noodle beds, creating an interactive and communal dining experience.

How to Store Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Leftovers

• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare a double batch and freeze half for quick future meals. Portion into airtight containers, ensuring each serving has balanced meat and vegetables.
• Refrigerator Magic: Store leftovers in sealed containers for up to 4 days. Keep sauce separate from rice to maintain meat's delicious texture and prevent soggy grains.
• Freezer-Friendly Feast: Carefully transfer cooled steak and sauce into freezer-safe containers. Label with date and contents. Freeze for maximum 3 months, allowing stress-free meal prep during busy weeks.
• Reheating Rescue: Thaw overnight in refrigerator, then warm gently in microwave or skillet. Add splash of water or extra soy sauce to restore moisture and prevent meat from drying out. Stir occasionally during reheating to distribute heat evenly.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 6 minutes

Total Time: 26 minutes

Calories: 432 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

• Flank Steak: Tender cut perfect for slow cooking, choose well-marbled meat for rich flavor and softness.
• Cornstarch: Creates crispy exterior and helps thicken sauce, ensuring beautiful coating on meat.

• Olive Oil: Adds depth and helps distribute flavors evenly throughout the dish.
• Brown Sugar: Provides caramelized sweetness and balances savory elements.
• Soy Sauce: Brings umami depth and authentic Asian-inspired flavor profile.
• Water: Helps create smooth, consistent cooking liquid.
• Garlic: Adds robust, aromatic punch and enhances overall taste complexity.

• Bell Peppers: Colorful addition that brings freshness, crunch, and vibrant visual appeal.
• Onions: Delivers sweet undertones and classic complementary flavor to beef.

Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Equipment Checklist

• Slow Cooker: Essential for creating tender, flavorful pepper steak with minimal effort.
• Large Ziplock Bag: Perfect for evenly coating beef strips with cornstarch.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for slicing flank steak, bell peppers, and onions with precision.
• Cutting Board: Provides a stable surface for chopping ingredients safely.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps stir ingredients and spread beef evenly in the sauce.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities for perfect flavor balance.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Pepper Steak in a Crockpot

• Steak Preparation

Grab your flank steak and slice it into delicate, thin strips. Dust the meat with cornstarch by tossing it in a ziplock bag, ensuring each piece gets a light, even coating.

• Sauce Creation

Pour olive oil, brown sugar, soy sauce, water, and minced garlic into the slow cooker. Swirl everything together until the sugar melts into a rich, glossy liquid. Nestle the cornstarch-coated beef into this flavor bath, spreading it out evenly.

• Slow Cooking Magic

Set your slow cooker to low and let the magic happen. Allow the meat to simmer and transform for about 6 hours, developing deep, complex flavors without peeking too often.

• Vegetable Introduction

Toward the final stretch of cooking, slice colorful bell peppers and onions. Gently fold these vibrant veggies into the simmering mixture, letting them mingle and absorb the delicious sauce.

• Serving Delight

When the beef is meltingly tender, ladle this succulent pepper steak over your favorite base – perhaps fluffy rice, silky noodles, or creamy mashed potatoes. Each bite promises a burst of savory, sweet goodness.

Tender Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 26 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty slow cooker pepper steak recipe brings tender beef strips simmered in savory sauce. Rich Asian-inspired flavors invite home cooks to savor comfort and convenience with minimal preparation.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 lbs (1.36 kg) flank steak (sliced into thin strips)
• 4 bell peppers (sliced, mixed colors)
• 2 onions (sliced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) olive oil
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) soy sauce
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) water
• ½ cup (60 g) corn starch
• 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar (packed)

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Slice flank steak into thin, uniform strips to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
2. Coating Process: Tumble meat strips in cornstarch within a sealed bag, creating a delicate protective layer that will enhance sauce thickness and provide a subtle exterior crisp.
3. Liquid Foundation: Whisk olive oil, brown sugar, soy sauce, water, and minced garlic in the slow cooker until sugar completely dissolves, forming a robust flavor base.
4. Initial Cooking Stage: Distribute cornstarch-coated beef strips evenly in the liquid, allowing complete flavor infusion and ensuring each piece absorbs the aromatic mixture.
5. Slow Cooking Technique: Program slow cooker to low temperature, allowing meat to simmer undisturbed for 5-6 hours, developing deep, complex flavor profiles and tenderizing the protein.
6. Vegetable Integration: Approximately 90 minutes before completion, introduce sliced bell peppers and onions, gently nestling them among beef strips to preserve cooking dynamics and add textural contrast.
7. Final Preparation: Once cooking cycle concludes, verify beef’s tenderness and sauce consistency, ensuring vegetables maintain a slight crispness while absorbing surrounding flavors.
8. Serving Recommendation: Present pepper steak atop steamed rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes, allowing the rich, developed sauce to cascade elegantly across the chosen accompaniment.

Notes

• Slice Strategically: Cut flank steak against the grain into uniform strips for maximum tenderness and even cooking.
• Cornstarch Coating Technique: Gently shake meat in sealed bag with cornstarch to create a light protective layer that thickens sauce and adds delicate texture.
• Low and Slow Magic: Maintain low temperature for 5-6 hours to develop deep, complex flavors and ensure incredibly tender meat that falls apart effortlessly.
• Vegetable Timing Matters: Add bell peppers and onions during last 90 minutes of cooking to preserve their vibrant color and slight crispness, preventing mushy texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 432
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 1630 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 88 mg