If you’re craving comfort food that’s both easy to throw together and packed with flavor, you’ve got to try this Crockpot Pepper Steak Recipe. It’s one of those dishes I turn to when I want a homemade meal without fussing in the kitchen for hours. Tender beef, vibrant bell peppers, and a rich savory sauce all slow-cooked to perfection — trust me, you’re going to want to make this your go-to dinner.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless Slow Cooking: Just toss everything in the crockpot and walk away—perfect for busy days or lazy evenings.
Tender, Juicy Beef Strips: Slow cooking transforms the round steak into meltingly tender, flavorful bites.
Vibrant Pepper and Onion Combo: Thick slices hold their texture and add a fresh contrast to the rich sauce.
Versatile and Family-Friendly: My family goes crazy for this one, and you can serve it over rice, noodles, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter twist.

A white plate holds a large base layer of fluffy, long-grain white rice, spread evenly across the plate. On top of the rice sits a colorful stir-fry with three distinct elements: dark brown thin strips of cooked beef, glossy green bell pepper slices, and bright red bell pepper slices. The stir-fry is sprinkled with small white sesame seeds and chopped green onion pieces for freshness. Two black chopsticks rest across the top edge of the plate. The background shows a red bell pepper and green leafy herbs on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Crockpot Pepper Steak, easy slow cooker beef dinner, tender beef and peppers recipe, savory crockpot beef, quick comfort food dinner

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Crockpot Pepper Steak Recipe plays a role in building layers of flavor and texture. The choice of round steak sliced thin and thick-cut veggies gives you that classic takeout vibe but made right at home. Plus, with simple pantry staples like soy sauce and brown sugar, shopping is a breeze.

Flat lay of thin strips of raw round steak, thick sliced green bell pepper, thick sliced red bell pepper, thick sliced white onion, a small pile of brown sugar, a small bowl of soy sauce, a mound of ground ginger powder, and a mound of garlic powder, all beautifully arranged with natural light highlighting their colors and textures, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Crockpot Pepper Steak, easy slow cooker beef dinner, tender beef and peppers recipe, savory crockpot beef, quick comfort food dinner

Round steak: Best when sliced thin across the grain for maximum tenderness after slow cooking.
Green and red bell peppers: Thick slices hold up well in the crockpot and add a colorful, crunchy bite.
Onion: Slicing thick means they won’t turn mushy after hours of cooking.
Beef broth: Adds depth and juiciness to the steak and peppers.
Soy sauce: For that salty, umami kick that enhances the savory profile.
Ground ginger and garlic powder: Simple spices that bring warmth and aromatic notes effortlessly.
Black pepper: A good hit of pepper keeps this dish bold and lively.
Brown sugar: Balances the savory with a touch of sweetness.
Cornstarch and cold water: Your secret weapon to thicken the sauce just right at the end.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how adaptable this Crockpot Pepper Steak Recipe is. Over the years, I’ve switched things up depending on what’s in my fridge or dietary needs, and it always turns out great. Feel free to personalize it to your taste — that’s what cooking at home is all about!

Mushroom Addition: Adding sliced mushrooms gives it a deeper umami feel and extra texture, which my family enjoys on cozy nights.
Low-Sodium Option: Swap regular soy sauce for a low-sodium version to control salt without losing flavor.
Spicy Kick: Toss in a few red chili flakes or a splash of sriracha if you like a little heat.
Veggie Swap: Bell peppers are classic, but I’ve also tried baby corn and snap peas for a fresh crunch.

How to Make Crockpot Pepper Steak Recipe

Step 1: Prep Ingredients and Layer Flavors

Start by cutting your round steak into thin strips — slice against the grain to keep the beef tender after slow cooking. Chop your green and red bell peppers and onion into thick slices; they’ll hold their texture better this way, which I truly appreciate after hours in the crockpot. Next, toss the beef, bell peppers, and onions right into the crockpot. Pour the soy sauce, beef broth, and sprinkle the brown sugar, ground ginger, garlic powder, and black pepper over everything. Give it a gentle stir just to combine, but don’t over-mix — you want those layers to meld slowly.

Step 2: Slow Cook to Tender Perfection

Cover your crockpot and set it on low for 5 to 6 hours — this is my preferred method because it really lets the flavors develop and the beef become tender without turning tough. If you’re short on time, the high setting works too, just about 2.5 to 3 hours. You’ll know the steak is done when it gives easily to a fork and the peppers are softened but still vibrant.

Step 3: Thicken the Sauce

When the beef and veggies are cooked, mix the cornstarch with cold water in a small bowl until smooth. Stir this mixture into the crockpot, then switch the cooker to high and let it cook for another 30 to 60 minutes. This is what transforms the juices into a luscious, saucy coating that clings perfectly to every bite. I’ve learned that patience here is key — don’t rush the thickening step or your sauce might end up too runny.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Once your sauce has thickened to your liking, it’s time to serve! Spoon that pepper steak over a bed of fluffy white rice for a classic combo. Bonus—this is a fantastic weeknight dinner because everything gets done in one pot and practically cooks itself.

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Pro Tips for Making Crockpot Pepper Steak Recipe

Slice Thin and Against the Grain: This is the trick that guarantees tender beef every time—don’t skip it!
Use Thick Pepper Slices: Thin peppers tend to disintegrate during slow cooking, so keep them chunky to retain texture.
Avoid Adding Cornstarch Too Early: Adding the thickener at the end prevents the sauce from becoming gluey or gummy.
Don’t Skip the Rest Time: Letting the dish sit for a few minutes before serving helps the sauce thicken a bit more and flavors settle beautifully.

How to Serve Crockpot Pepper Steak Recipe

The dish shows three layers on a black plate: the bottom layer is a bed of fluffy white rice with a soft texture, the middle layer has bright green and red cooked bell peppers that look tender and shiny, and the top layer is dark brown strips of cooked beef covered with white sesame seeds and small pieces of green onion scattered on top. The background is a white marbled texture with a pair of dark chopsticks resting near the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Crockpot Pepper Steak, easy slow cooker beef dinner, tender beef and peppers recipe, savory crockpot beef, quick comfort food dinner

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle some chopped fresh green onions or a handful of chopped parsley over the finished dish. It adds a pop of color and a fresh note that balances the sweet and savory sauce beautifully. If you want a little extra crunch, toasted sesame seeds work wonders too!

Side Dishes

While this pepper steak is delicious on its own, we often pair it with steamed white rice to soak up all that sauce. For a veggie side, simple steamed broccoli or snap peas work perfectly. Sometimes I serve it alongside fried rice or even soft egg noodles to switch things up.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, for a fun dinner party, I layered the pepper steak over cauliflower rice in pretty bowls and topped it with thinly sliced red chili and fresh cilantro — it looked vibrant and felt a bit fancy. You could also serve it in lettuce wraps for a light and interactive meal that guests love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers? No problem! I store any extra pepper steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It stays fresh and flavorful for up to 3 days — just make sure to cool it before sealing to keep it safe and tasty.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish a couple of times, and it works wonderfully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers before the thickening step, and allow it to cool completely. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and then finish thickening the sauce fresh on the stove or in the crockpot for best texture.

Reheating

Reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat with a splash of beef broth or water to loosen the sauce if it’s gotten too thick. Stir gently and heat until warmed through. I avoid microwaving because slow gentle heating keeps the beef more tender and sauce silky.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?

Absolutely! While round steak is great for slow cooking, you can also use sirloin, flank steak, or even chuck steak as long as you slice it thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness.
How thick should the sauce be after cooking?

The sauce should be thick enough to coat the beef and veggies nicely without being gluey. After adding the cornstarch slurry, cook for about 30-60 minutes on high and check the consistency — it should cling to the spoon but still be pourable.
Can I prep this recipe ahead and refrigerate before cooking?

Yes! You can prep all the ingredients and place them in the crockpot insert, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Just bring to room temperature a bit before cooking to ensure even cooking.
Is it okay to substitute cornstarch with another thickener?

You can use arrowroot powder or tapioca starch in place of cornstarch at a 1:1 ratio, but avoid flour since it may give a cloudy sauce. Make sure to mix it with cold water to prevent lumps.
How do I make this recipe lower in sodium?

Swap regular soy sauce for a low-sodium version and use a low-sodium beef broth. You can also reduce or omit the added salt if your soy sauce is especially salty.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Crockpot Pepper Steak Recipe turns out every single time — it’s my no-fail answer for a delicious dinner that feels special but takes minimal effort. When I first tried this, I was amazed at how tender the beef became and how those simple ingredients came together into a sauce that’s both savory and slightly sweet. Whether you’re cooking for family or just craving a tasty meal to come home to, you’ll find that this recipe fits right into your rotation. Give it a try—I bet it’ll become one of your favorites too!