Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

🧾 Ingredients

Beef

  • 2 lbs beef sirloin or flank steak (sliced into thin strips)
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Vegetables

  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2–3 bell peppers (red, green, yellow), chopped big
  • 2 carrots, sliced (optional but great for sweetness)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce (the flavor bomb 💣)

  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste or ketchup
  • 1 tsp ginger (fresh or powder)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional heat)

To Thicken Later

  • 2 tbsp cornstarch + 3 tbsp water (slurry)

🔪 Step 1 – Prep the Beef

Slice beef thinly against the grain.

This is VERY important.

Against the grain = tender

With the grain = chewy

Toss beef with:

  • cornstarch
  • salt
  • pepper

This helps:

✔ thicken sauce

✔ seal juices

✔ make silky gravy later

🥕 Step 2 – Load the Slow Cooker

Add to slow cooker:

  1. Beef
  2. Onion
  3. Peppers
  4. Carrots
  5. Garlic

Spread evenly.

🥣 Step 3 – Mix the Sauce

In a bowl whisk:

  • broth
  • soy sauce
  • Worcestershire
  • brown sugar
  • tomato paste
  • spices

Pour all over everything.

Give a gentle stir.

It might look watery now — don’t worry. It thickens later.

🔥 Step 4 – Slow Cook

Cook:

Low → 6–7 hours

High → 3–4 hours

Beef should be fork tender and super juicy.

The smell at this point? Unreal 🤤

🥄 Step 5 – Thicken the Gravy

30 minutes before serving:

Mix cornstarch + water.

Pour into slow cooker and stir.

Cook 20–30 more minutes until thick and glossy.

Now it becomes that rich, restaurant-style sauce you see in the photo.

🍚 Step 6 – Serve

Serve hot over:

✔ Rice

✔ Mashed potatoes

✔ Noodles

✔ Bread

✔ Couscous

✔ Even inside wraps or sandwiches

Top with:

  • green onions
  • sesame seeds
  • fresh parsley

Optional but fancy ✨

😍 What It Tastes Like

Imagine:

Tender beef stew

  • stir fry flavors
  • thick savory gravy
  • sweet peppers
  • rich umami sauce

It’s:

Savory

Slightly sweet

Peppery

Comforting

Super satisfying

Basically “hug in food form.”

💡 Pro Tips (Game Changers)

1. Sear the beef first (optional but amazing)

Brown quickly in a pan before slow cooker → deeper flavor.

2. Don’t overcook peppers

Add them last 1–2 hours if you prefer crunchier.

3. Use flank or sirloin

Cheap cuts become ultra tender in slow cooker.

4. Want darker sauce?

Add 1 tsp dark soy sauce.

5. Want thicker gravy?

Add extra slurry.

🔥 Flavor Variations

Spicy Pepper Steak

Add sriracha or chili paste

Honey Garlic

Add 2 tbsp honey

Teriyaki Style

Swap half soy sauce with teriyaki

Mushroom Lover

Add sliced mushrooms

Asian Style

Add sesame oil + ginger + green onions

🥡 Storage

Fridge:

4–5 days

Freezer:

3 months

Reheat:

Stovetop or microwave with splash of broth

Tastes even BETTER next day.

🍽️ Perfect For

✔ Family dinners

✔ Meal prep

✔ Cold weather

✔ Busy days

✔ Ramadan ftour meals

✔ Comfort cravings

✔ Big batches

This recipe feeds a crowd easily.

❤️ Final Thoughts

This is one of those recipes that feels like:

“Grandma slow-cooked this all day”

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