Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

This slow cooker pepper steak is my secret recipe to make a delicious dinner for the whole family during the week. Saucy, tender sirloin steak with colorful bell peppers and thick, rich sauce. Oh, so good!

This dish is inspired by the popular Chinese pepper steak, which you’d normally make in a hot stir fry, but here, the slow cooker does all the work for you!

My best tip for you to make this dish quickly is to slice the beef thin and evenly, then let the low heat work its magic for juicy, tender meat every time.

Love effortless meat-based dinners made in a slow cooker? I got you! Try my yummy Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken, Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef, and Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops – mouthwatering recipes that are really easy to throw together and serve your family a delicious meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfect for busy weeknights when you want comforting takeout flavors on a dime and without leaving the house.
• Everyone loves it! From vibrant peppers to delicious sauce mixture and tender beef, there is literally nothing in this dish to be fussy about.
• Affordable ingredients. You can use a cut of beef you like and just one type of bell pepper, and it will still turn out great.
• Freezer-friendly leftovers: Make a big batch and freeze leftovers in a freezer bag for quick meals later in the week
• Versatile. Beef goes well with ANYTHING, white or brown rice, noodles, potatoes, or roasted veggies. Again, whatever you have left in the fridge.

Ingredients Notes

You can check exact quantities and nutrition information on my printable recipe card at the bottom of this page. Thank you!

• Olive oil
• Beef sirloin steak or flank steak. Prep the meat by cutting it into thin slices
• Onion. Yellow or white onion works perfectly.
• Minced garlic. Fresh garlic is a must; do not use garlic powder.
• Low-sodium beef broth. I go with low-sodium broth and soy sauce as they are already quite salty to the point that I won’t add any more salt to this dish. Based on your personal preference, you can use regular soy sauce, but I’m afraid it can be too salty.
• Low-sodium soy sauce
• Brown sugar (or sweetener of choice, or omit for no added sweetness). White sugar works in a pinch, too.
• Ground black pepper
• Bell peppers: I use green bell peppers and red bell peppers always, but optionally I also add Orange bell peppers and yellow peppers.
• Cornstarch slurry. Mixed cornstarch and water will help thicken the sauce.

Kitchen Equipment

• Slow cooker
• Mixing bowls
• Cutting board

How To Make Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

Slow Cook Beef In Cooking Liquid

1. Spray the slow cooker insert with cooking oil.
2. Add thinly sliced beef to the bottom of the insert, followed by the sliced onions.
3. Whisk the garlic, beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar (or alternative), and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Pour over the beef and onions.
4. Cover and cook on low for 5–6 hours, until beef is tender.

Add Bell Peppers

In the last 30 to 45 minutes of cooking, add the sweet bell peppers.

Add Cornstarch Mixture

1. Create the slurry by whisking the cornstarch and water together in a small bowl. Then add it to the cooker to thicken the sauce before serving.
2. Serve pepper steak over cooked white rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice, mashed potatoes, pasta or egg noodles.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

You can also freeze slow-cooked pepper steak in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.

Substitutions & Variations

• Try different cuts of beef: flank steak, round steak, skirt steak, top sirloin steak, or even chuck roast work well — just slice against the grain for tender meat.
• Deepen the flavor using brown sugar, beef stock (more concentrated than broth), Worcestershire sauce, or oyster sauce, and a bit of ground ginger for more Chinese flavors.
• Make it spicy. Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, or add chili oil, hot sauce (Tabasco or Sriracha), cayenne pepper, or white pepper (a bit more peppery than regular black pepper).
• You can use beef bouillon cubes in a pinch.
• Garnish: Top with toasted sesame seeds or sliced green onions for added flavor.

Expert Tips To Make The Best Crock Pot Pepper Steak

• Slice steak into even and thin beef strips or thick slices, depending on your texture preference — both work for tender results, but thick slices can be chewier and soak in more sauce.
• To make sure the beef turns out juicy and won’t dry out (especially if you have a different cut of steak), you can sear the beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat for just a few minutes. It will also add that “charred” extra flavor.
• You can add peppers to the slow cooker in the last hour of cooking to keep them more tender.

Popular Questions

How Long Should I Cook Steak In The Slow Cooker?

Cook your beef strips for 5–6 hours on low heat, or 3–4 hours on high heat for the best flavor. In the last hour of cooking, add red and green peppers. I don’t recommend cooking thinly sliced beef for 6-8 hours; it is too long.

Why Is My Pepper Steak So Tough?

Slow cooker pepper steak recipe turns out tough if you use a tougher cut of beef without adjusting the cooking time, or slice it wrong. Be sure to slice against the grain and cook long enough on low settings — tougher cuts like stew meat or round steak need time to break down.

Can You Put Steak In A Slow Cooker Raw?

Yes. You can use both raw steak and quickly browned meat for cooking steak in a crockpot. Always add beef first, laying it evenly at the bottom of the slow cooker insert.

What’s The Best Cut Of Meat For Pepper Steak?

Sirloin, flank steak, or skirt steak are best for slow cooker pepper steak recipes — they cook up tender with plenty of rich beefy flavor.

Why Is Chinese Pepper Steak So Tender?

Thin slicing, marinating, and slow cooking at low heat help break down the fibers and make Chinese-style crockpot pepper steak so tender, just like a good stir fry, but easier for busy cooks like me and you!

If you love this easy slow cooker dinner recipe, you’re going to love these other slow cooker meals, too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

More Great Beef Recipes

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Korean Beef Bowl

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