Slow Cooker Pepper Steak: A Delicious and Effortless Recipe

Recipes Italian Chef

Slow Cooker Pepper Steak: A Delicious and Effortless Recipe

Pepper steak, a classic Chinese-American dish, is known for its tender beef, vibrant bell peppers, and savory sauce. While traditionally stir-fried, this recipe takes a simpler, more hands-off approach by utilizing the slow cooker. This method not only infuses the beef with incredible flavor but also ensures it’s incredibly tender and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The slow cooker does all the work, making it perfect for busy weeknights or weekend meal prep. Get ready to savor a restaurant-quality dish without the restaurant price tag or effort!

## Why Choose Slow Cooker Pepper Steak?

There are countless reasons to love slow cooker pepper steak:

* **Effortless Cooking:** Dump everything into the slow cooker and let it work its magic. Minimal prep time required.
* **Tender Beef:** The slow cooking process breaks down tough cuts of beef, resulting in unbelievably tender and juicy steak.
* **Flavorful Sauce:** The sauce simmers alongside the beef and peppers, creating a rich and flavorful coating.
* **Meal Prep Friendly:** Prepare the ingredients ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook. Perfect for busy schedules.
* **Versatile:** Serve it over rice, noodles, mashed potatoes, or even stuffed into sandwiches.
* **Budget-Friendly:** You can use less expensive cuts of beef, as the slow cooking process will tenderize them.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to create this culinary masterpiece:

* **Beef:** 2 pounds of beef sirloin, flank steak, or round steak, cut into 1-inch strips. Sirloin is a good choice for its flavor and tenderness, but flank steak and round steak are more budget-friendly options that will become tender through slow cooking. Consider trimming excess fat for a healthier dish. You can also buy pre-cut stir-fry beef to save time.
* **Bell Peppers:** 2-3 bell peppers (a mix of colors is best for visual appeal and flavor), sliced into strips. Red, green, yellow, and orange bell peppers all work well. Feel free to adjust the quantity based on your preference.
* **Onion:** 1 large onion, sliced. Yellow or white onions are suitable for this recipe. You can also use red onion for a slightly sweeter flavor.
* **Garlic:** 4-6 cloves of garlic, minced. Freshly minced garlic is always best for flavor. You can also use jarred minced garlic in a pinch.
* **Soy Sauce:** 1/2 cup of low-sodium soy sauce. Low-sodium soy sauce helps control the saltiness of the dish. You can also use tamari for a gluten-free option.
* **Beef Broth:** 1 cup of beef broth. Low-sodium beef broth is recommended to control the saltiness. You can also use chicken broth or vegetable broth as a substitute, but the flavor will be slightly different.
* **Brown Sugar:** 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness and helps balance the savory flavors. You can also use honey or maple syrup as a substitute.
* **Rice Vinegar:** 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar. Rice vinegar adds a subtle tanginess to the sauce. You can also use apple cider vinegar or white vinegar as a substitute, but use a little less, as they are more acidic.
* **Sesame Oil:** 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Sesame oil adds a nutty and aromatic flavor. A little goes a long way, so don’t overdo it.
* **Cornstarch:** 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Cornstarch is used to thicken the sauce. You can also use arrowroot powder as a substitute.
* **Water:** 2 tablespoons of water. This is mixed with the cornstarch to create a slurry.
* **Ground Ginger:** 1 teaspoon of ground ginger. Ginger adds a warm and spicy flavor. You can also use fresh ginger, finely grated, for a more intense flavor.
* **Black Pepper:** 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Adjust to taste.
* **Red Pepper Flakes:** 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat). Adjust to taste or omit if you don’t like spicy food.
* **Green Onions:** 2-3 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish). These add a fresh and vibrant finish to the dish.
* **Sesame Seeds:** 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds (for garnish). Sesame seeds add a nutty flavor and visual appeal.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* Slow cooker (6-quart or larger)
* Knife and cutting board
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Small bowl
* Whisk

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your own delicious slow cooker pepper steak:

**Step 1: Prepare the Beef**

* Cut the beef into 1-inch strips. If using a tougher cut of beef like flank steak or round steak, consider slicing it against the grain to help tenderize it.
* In a large bowl, combine the beef strips with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of ground ginger. Toss to coat evenly. This marinade will help to tenderize the beef and infuse it with flavor. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes, or up to an hour in the refrigerator for even better results. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful and tender the beef will be.

**Step 2: Add Vegetables to the Slow Cooker**

* Place the sliced bell peppers and onions in the bottom of the slow cooker. Layering the vegetables at the bottom will prevent the beef from sticking and ensure they cook evenly. You can also add other vegetables if you like, such as mushrooms or broccoli florets.

**Step 3: Add Beef to the Slow Cooker**

* Arrange the marinated beef strips on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker. Try to spread them out in a single layer as much as possible. This will help them cook more evenly.

**Step 4: Prepare the Sauce**

* In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup of soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes (if using). Ensure the brown sugar is fully dissolved. This sauce will create a rich and flavorful coating for the beef and vegetables.

**Step 5: Pour Sauce Over Beef and Vegetables**

* Pour the sauce evenly over the beef and vegetables in the slow cooker. Make sure everything is well coated.

**Step 6: Cook on Low**

* Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The cooking time will vary depending on your slow cooker. The beef should be very tender and easily shreddable with a fork.

**Step 7: Thicken the Sauce**

* In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Make sure there are no lumps.
* During the last 30 minutes of cooking time, remove the lid from the slow cooker and stir in the cornstarch slurry. This will thicken the sauce to a desired consistency. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add more cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of water).
* Replace the lid and continue to cook for 30 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your liking.

**Step 8: Serve and Garnish**

* Serve the slow cooker pepper steak hot over cooked rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.
* Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and visual appeal.

## Tips for the Perfect Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

* **Don’t Overcook:** Overcooking can lead to dry and tough beef. Check the tenderness of the beef periodically during the last hour of cooking time.
* **Use the Right Cut of Beef:** While the slow cooker can tenderize tougher cuts, using a good quality cut of beef will result in a better overall dish. Sirloin is a good balance of flavor and tenderness. If using a tougher cut, be sure to slice it against the grain.
* **Don’t Skip the Marinade:** The marinade helps to tenderize the beef and infuse it with flavor. Allow the beef to marinate for at least 15 minutes, or longer for best results.
* **Adjust the Sauce to Your Liking:** Taste the sauce after it has thickened and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may want to add more soy sauce for saltiness, brown sugar for sweetness, or red pepper flakes for heat.
* **Add Other Vegetables:** Feel free to add other vegetables to the slow cooker, such as mushrooms, broccoli florets, or carrots. Add them along with the bell peppers and onions.
* **Make it Gluten-Free:** Use tamari instead of soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
* **Make it Healthier:** Use low-sodium soy sauce and beef broth to reduce the sodium content. You can also trim excess fat from the beef before cooking.
* **Spice it Up:** Add more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a spicier dish.
* **Shred the Beef:** For a different texture, shred the beef with two forks after it is cooked and before thickening the sauce.
* **Serve it in Sandwiches:** Spoon the pepper steak and sauce into hoagie rolls for a delicious and satisfying sandwich.
* **Leftovers are Great:** Slow cooker pepper steak is even better the next day! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

## Serving Suggestions

Here are some delicious ways to serve your slow cooker pepper steak:

* **Over Rice:** The classic and most popular way to serve pepper steak. Use white rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option.
* **Over Noodles:** Egg noodles, ramen noodles, or even spaghetti noodles all work well.
* **Over Mashed Potatoes:** A creamy and comforting option, especially on a cold day.
* **In Sandwiches:** As mentioned above, this makes a fantastic sandwich filling.
* **With a Side Salad:** A simple green salad provides a refreshing contrast to the rich and savory pepper steak.
* **With Steamed Vegetables:** Broccoli, green beans, or asparagus are all good choices.

## Variations

Here are some variations to try to customize your slow cooker pepper steak:

* **Spicy Pepper Steak:** Add more red pepper flakes, a dash of hot sauce, or even some diced jalapeños for a spicier dish.
* **Mushroom Pepper Steak:** Add sliced mushrooms to the slow cooker along with the bell peppers and onions.
* **Broccoli Pepper Steak:** Add broccoli florets to the slow cooker during the last hour of cooking time.
* **Sweet and Sour Pepper Steak:** Add a can of pineapple chunks (drained) and a little more brown sugar to the sauce for a sweet and sour twist.
* **Korean Pepper Steak:** Use gochujang (Korean chili paste) in the sauce for a Korean-inspired flavor.
* **Teriyaki Pepper Steak:** Use teriyaki sauce instead of soy sauce and brown sugar for a teriyaki flavor.

## Nutrition Information (Approximate)

*Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*

* Serving Size: 1 cup
* Calories: 350-450
* Protein: 30-40g
* Fat: 15-25g
* Carbohydrates: 20-30g

## Conclusion

This slow cooker pepper steak recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s easy to make, incredibly flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights. The slow cooker does all the hard work, leaving you with tender, juicy beef and vibrant vegetables in a rich and savory sauce. So, gather your ingredients, dust off your slow cooker, and get ready to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal without the hassle!

Enjoy!

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