Sizzling Crockpot Pepper Steak Recipe: Effortless Weeknight Magic

Simmering with rich flavors, this crockpot pepper steak recipe promises a mouthwatering meal that breaks free from traditional cooking methods.

Tender strips of beef dance with vibrant bell peppers in a savory sauce that whispers comfort.

My grandmother first shared a version of this dish during chilly midwest winters, sparking my love for slow-cooked meals.

Weeknight dinners rarely get this delicious with minimal effort required.

Each bite promises a perfect blend of hearty protein and colorful vegetables melting together.

Coming home to an aroma that fills every corner of your kitchen with warmth and anticipation.

Let’s transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why Crockpot Pepper Steak Is A Weeknight Winner

• Effortless Slow-Cooking Magic: Crockpot pepper steak transforms tough beef into melt-in-your-mouth tender meat with minimal hands-on preparation, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious meals without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Flavor-Packed One-Pot Wonder: The combination of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar creates a rich, savory sauce that infuses the beef and vegetables with deep, complex flavors, delivering a restaurant-quality meal straight from your slow cooker.
• Customizable Comfort Food: This recipe offers incredible flexibility – serve over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes, and adjust spice levels or vegetable choices to suit your family's taste preferences, making it a versatile crowd-pleaser for any night of the week.
• Meal Prep Champion: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this pepper steak recipe is ideal for meal planning, allowing you to prepare a hearty, satisfying dinner that can be easily reheated and enjoyed throughout the week.

What You Need For Crockpot Pepper Steak

• Beef Strips: Classic choice for a hearty, tender main protein with rich beef flavor. Best when using sirloin or flank steak with good marbling.

• Onions, Bell Peppers: Provides sweet and savory base for the dish. Red, green, or yellow bell peppers work great for color and texture.
• Garlic: Adds deep, aromatic flavor foundation to the sauce and meat.

• Soy Sauce: Brings umami and saltiness to the dish. Low sodium version can be used for healthier option.
• Beef Broth: Creates rich liquid base for slow cooking and enhancing meat tenderness.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds complex tangy and savory depth to the overall flavor profile.
• Brown Sugar: Balances the savory elements with subtle sweetness.
• Ginger: Provides warm, slightly spicy undertone to the sauce.
• Paprika: Adds mild smoky flavor and beautiful color to the dish.
• Salt and Pepper: Basic seasoning for enhancing natural meat flavors.

• Cornstarch, Water: Creates smooth, glossy sauce consistency for better coating of meat and vegetables.

• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Adds fresh color, mild onion flavor, and nutty crunch to finish the dish.

• Olive Oil: Used for optional beef searing to develop deeper flavor and color.

How To Fix Crockpot Pepper Steak At Home

Step 1: Sear the Beef

Heat olive oil in a skillet over high heat. Quickly brown the beef strips on all sides to develop flavor, then transfer them to your slow cooker (this step is optional but adds depth).

Step 2: Layer the Vegetables

Arrange sweet onion slices, bell pepper strips, and minced garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker to form a colorful vegetable bed.

Step 3: Mix the Sauce

In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, dark brown sugar, grated ginger, and smoked paprika. Pour this mixture evenly over the vegetables.

Step 4: Add the Beef

Nestle the seared beef strips atop the saucy vegetables. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Tenderness

Cover and cook on the low setting for 6–7 hours (or high for 3–4 hours) until the beef is fork‑tender and infused with flavor.

Step 6: Thicken the Sauce

About 30 minutes before serving, whisk cornstarch with a little water to make a slurry. Stir it into the cooking liquid and let it bubble until the sauce turns thick and glossy.

Step 7: Serve with Style

Spoon the beef and vegetables over steamed rice or soft noodles. Garnish with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a finishing touch.

Simple Advice For Crockpot Pepper Steak

• Boost Flavor Depth: Sear beef strips before slow cooking to develop rich, caramelized exterior and enhance overall taste profile.
• Prevent Tough Meat: Cook on low setting for 6-7 hours to ensure beef remains tender and falls apart easily.
• Sauce Perfection Trick: Mix cornstarch with cold water to create smooth slurry, preventing lumps when thickening sauce.
• Vegetable Texture Control: Add bell peppers during last hour of cooking to maintain slight crispness and vibrant color.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare recipe in advance and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.

Best Storage Tips For Crockpot Pepper Steak

• Refrigerate: Store leftover pepper steak in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the dish will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled pepper steak to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Reheat on Stovetop: Warm the pepper steak in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of beef broth to prevent drying and maintain moisture. Stir occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
• Microwave Option: Place pepper steak in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until thoroughly warm.

What Tastes Good With Crockpot Pepper Steak

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Complement the rich, savory beef with a bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec, which will enhance the meat's deep flavors and stand up to the hearty sauce.
• Serve with Crisp Asian-Inspired Slaw: Create a tangy coleslaw with rice vinegar, sesame oil, and julienned vegetables to provide a fresh, crunchy contrast to the tender, saucy pepper steak.
• Match with Garlic Butter Jasmine Rice: Prepare fluffy jasmine rice tossed with melted garlic butter to soak up the delicious sauce and add an aromatic, silky dimension to the dish.
• Enjoy with Craft Beer Pairing: Select a malty amber ale or a hoppy IPA that can cut through the richness of the beef while highlighting the dish's complex pepper and soy sauce notes.

Ways To Switch Up Crockpot Pepper Steak

• Spicy Southwest Pepper Steak: Kick up the heat by adding diced jalapeños and a dash of chipotle powder to the sauce. Replace brown sugar with honey for a subtle sweetness that balances the spice.
• Asian-Inspired Ginger Beef: Increase the ginger amount and add a splash of rice vinegar. Incorporate sliced mushrooms and replace bell peppers with baby bok choy for an authentic Asian flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Pepper Steak: Swap soy sauce with balsamic vinegar and add dried oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Include kalamata olives and sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean touch.
• Coconut Curry Pepper Steak: Mix in coconut milk and yellow curry powder to transform the sauce. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve over coconut rice for a rich, creamy version of the classic recipe.

Crockpot Pepper Steak Questions Answered

• Why should I sear the beef before putting it in the crockpot?

Searing the beef creates a delicious golden-brown crust that develops deep, rich flavors through a process called the Maillard reaction. While optional, this step adds extra depth to your pepper steak’s overall taste profile.

• Can I use different types of peppers in this recipe?

Absolutely! Feel free to mix red, green, and yellow bell peppers for a colorful and varied dish. Each pepper brings its own subtle sweetness and texture to the recipe, making your pepper steak more interesting and vibrant.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

Not automatically. Traditional soy sauce contains gluten, so you’ll need to use a gluten-free soy sauce alternative to make this dish celiac-friendly. Always check your ingredient labels carefully to ensure they meet your dietary needs.

• How can I make this recipe more spicy?

To add heat, include red pepper flakes in the sauce mixture or add a splash of sriracha sauce. You can also incorporate fresh chopped jalapeños with the bell peppers for an extra kick of spiciness that complements the beef’s rich flavor.

Crockpot Pepper Steak Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty crockpot pepper steak simmers with rich Asian-inspired flavors, delivering tender beef strips nestled among colorful bell peppers. Slow-cooked comfort promises delicious satisfaction when warm plates of savory goodness invite you to savor each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) beef sirloin or flank steak, sliced into thin strips

Vegetables:

• 1 large onion, sliced
• 3 bell peppers (red, green, yellow), sliced into strips
• 3 garlic cloves, minced

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons cold water
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Optional Garnish:

• Sliced green onions
• Sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Rapidly caramelize the beef strips in a blazing hot skillet, allowing each side to develop a rich golden-brown crust that seals in robust flavors and creates a stunning exterior texture.
2. Distribute sliced onions, vibrant bell peppers, and minced garlic across the crockpot’s base, creating a fragrant aromatic foundation for the dish.
3. Craft a complex sauce by whisking together umami-rich soy sauce, hearty beef broth, tangy Worcestershire sauce, deep brown sugar, zesty ginger, and warm paprika until perfectly integrated.
4. Gently cascade the prepared sauce over the vegetable layer, ensuring complete coverage and flavor penetration throughout the cooking vessel.
5. Nestle seasoned beef strips atop the vegetable and sauce mixture, allowing them to rest delicately without fully submerging.
6. Secure the crockpot lid and allow the ingredients to transform slowly, letting low temperatures tenderly break down meat fibers and meld flavors for 6-7 hours on low heat or 3-4 hours on high.
7. During the final half-hour of cooking, introduce a cornstarch slurry to elegantly thicken the sauce, creating a luxurious glossy coating.
8. Present the pepper steak over fluffy steamed rice or silky noodles, embellishing with fresh green onion slivers and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for a final flourish.

Notes

• Boost Meat Tenderness by patting beef strips dry before searing to ensure a perfect golden-brown exterior and lock in juicy flavors.
• Customize Spice Levels by adjusting paprika and adding red pepper flakes for those craving extra heat without overwhelming the dish’s delicate balance.
• Swap Proteins Effortlessly by replacing beef with chicken or tofu for a versatile meal that caters to different dietary preferences and restrictions.
• Enhance Sauce Depth by using low-sodium soy sauce and adding a splash of rice wine or mirin for a more complex, authentic Asian-inspired flavor profile.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 640mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 80mg