Are you ready to dive into a culinary adventure that caters to both your taste buds and your schedule? The delightful Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe is the answer! This dish is all about meltingly tender beef simmered gently with a rainbow of bell peppers in a sauce so rich and flavorful, it requires very little of your time yet delivers restaurant-quality results.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Cooking: The slow cooker does all the work, allowing you to get on with your day while it works its magic.
- Burst of Flavors: The combination of beef, bell peppers, and a savory sauce creates a dish that is brimming with umami.
- Versatile Meal: Customize this dish according to your dietary preferences or what’s in your pantry.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for simple ingredients that, when combined, create a mighty flavor punch. Each plays its part in enhancing the texture, color, and taste of this amazing dish.
- 1kg (2.2 lb) beef: Cutting the beef into strips helps it soak up more sauce and cook evenly.
- 1 red and 1 green bell pepper: These add a pop of color and provide that sweet, crisp contrast.
- 1 onion: Chopped into thick slices, it caramelizes slightly, adding depth to the dish.
- 1 beef bouillon cube: Gives the sauce that hearty foundation.
- ¼ cup light soy sauce: Balances the flavors with a hint of saltiness.
- 1 tsp ginger and garlic: These two are like the dynamic duo in any savory dish, providing warmth and aroma.
- 400g (14.1 oz) crushed tomatoes: They make the sauce so robust and rich.
- 2 tsp brown sugar: A touch of sweetness to balance the savoriness.
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch: Thickens the sauce to that perfect, silky consistency.
Variations
Customizing this Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe is as easy as pie, accommodating any leftovers, dietary swaps, or personal taste tweaks you might have in mind.
- Vegetarian Swap: Substitute the beef with thick slices of portobello mushrooms for an equally hearty meal.
- Spicy Kick: Add a dash of chili flakes or fresh jalapenos if you like things a little spicier.
How to Make Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Beef
In a frying pan over high heat, quickly brown the beef strips. This step locks in the juices and enriches the flavor foundation.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
In a small bowl, dissolve the beef bouillon cube in boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved. This prepares a strong base for your sauce.
Step 3: Assemble in the Slow Cooker
Add the beef, bell peppers, onion, prepared bouillon, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, black pepper, crushed tomatoes, and brown sugar into the slow cooker. Give it a gentle stir to combine all the flavors.
Step 4: Cook and Thicken
Set your slow cooker on low and let it work its magic for 6-8 hours until the beef is tender. To thicken the sauce, mix cornstarch and water until it forms a paste, then stir it in about 15 minutes before serving.
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe
- Optimal Beef Selection: Choose a tough cut, like chuck, that becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender when slow-cooked.
- Consistent Slice Size: Keep the pepper and onion slices thick to maintain a bit of bite even after hours of cooking.
- Browning Boost: While optional, browning adds complex flavor to the beef which elevates the entire dish.
- Timing the Veggies: Add bell peppers later if you like them crisper, around the 4-5 hour mark.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe
Garnishes
Finish your pepper steak with freshly chopped green onions or a sprinkle of sesame seeds for that touch of elegance and a burst of fresh flavor.
Side Dishes
Serve this pepper steak over fluffy rice, or alongside mashed potatoes, or even a simple side of steamed broccoli for a well-rounded meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a creative presentation, fashion a rice mound on each plate and ladle the pepper steak around it, creating an enticing culinary island surrounded by a sea of succulent sauce.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, making them perfect for quick, flavor-packed lunches.
Freezing
To freeze, place your cooled pepper steak into freezer-safe containers, ensuring it’s fully submerged in sauce to retain moisture, and keep it frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheating
Reheat your pepper steak gently on the stovetop over medium heat, or use the microwave, ensuring the beef is heated through but not boiled, to maintain tenderness.
FAQs
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Can I use different colors of bell peppers?
Absolutely! The more colorful the better, as they’ll not only lend vibrant hues to your dish but also a slight variation in sweetness.
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What type of beef works best?
For slow cooker recipes, tougher cuts like chuck or brisket are ideal as they become incredibly tender when cooked low and slow.
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Can I skip browning the beef?
Yes, you can skip it if you’re pressed for time, though it adds a depth of flavor that really enhances the dish.
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How do I ensure the sauce is thick enough?
Mixing cornstarch with water and adding it during the last 15 minutes of cooking works wonders for creating a beautifully thick sauce.
Final Thoughts
If you’re seeking a dinner that’s comforting, flavorful, and almost too easy to make, this Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe is one to try. Gather your ingredients, let the slow cooker perform its magic, and prepare for a hit every time. I promise, you’ll love each tender, saucy bite!
Print
Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Slow Cooker Pepper Steak recipe features tender strips of beef simmered with colorful bell peppers and a savory tomato-based sauce. Perfect for a hearty, stress-free dinner, it uses the slow cooker to develop rich flavors and tender meat, finished with a simple thickening step for a deliciously saucy dish.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 kg (2.2 lb) beef, cut into strips
- 1 red bell pepper, thick slices
- 1 green bell pepper, thick slices
- 1 onion, chopped into thick slices
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 beef bouillon cube
- 1/4 cup light soy sauce
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
- 1 tsp garlic, crushed
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 400 g (14.1 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tsp brown sugar
To Thicken
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a frypan over high heat, quickly brown the beef strips until they develop a nice sear, which adds flavor.
- Prepare Bouillon: In a small bowl, combine boiling water with the beef bouillon cube, stirring until it’s completely dissolved to create a flavorful broth.
- Combine in Slow Cooker: Add the browned beef, bell peppers, onion, beef bouillon mixture, soy sauce, minced ginger, crushed garlic, black pepper, crushed tomatoes, and brown sugar into the slow cooker. Mix gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours until the beef is tender and flavors meld together.
- Thicken the Sauce: Mix cornstarch and water into a slurry, then stir into the slow cooker. Cook for an additional 15 minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the pepper steak hot with rice or noodles, garnished if desired.
Notes
- Use a tougher cut of beef, such as flank or round, for best results as they become tender with slow cooking.
- To keep bell peppers slightly crisp, add them at the 4-5 hour mark of cooking.
- Brown the meat beforehand for added flavor, but it can be omitted if you’re short on time.
- Adjust seasoning after cooking if needed, considering the saltiness from soy sauce and bouillon.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 350g)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
