Description
Savory pepper steak simmers to tender perfection in this delightful slow cooker classic, bringing rich Chinese-inspired flavors to your dinner table. Hearty beef strips mingle with colorful bell peppers, creating a comforting meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 2 pounds beef sirloin, cut into strips
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables:
- 2 bell peppers (any color), sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger (optional)
Instructions
- Brown beef strips in a skillet over medium-high heat until caramelized and golden on all surfaces, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
- Transfer seared beef into the slow cooker, creating an even layer at the bottom of the pot.
- Scatter sliced bell peppers and onions uniformly over the beef, ensuring even distribution.
- Whisk together soy sauce, water, brown sugar, minced garlic, freshly ground black pepper, and grated ginger in a separate mixing bowl.
- Pour the seasoned liquid mixture directly over the beef and vegetables, making sure all ingredients are coated.
- Cover the crock pot and set to low temperature, allowing the pepper steak to simmer and tenderize for 6-7 hours.
- During the final 30 minutes of cooking, create a cornstarch slurry by blending cornstarch with a small amount of cold water until smooth.
- Gently stir the cornstarch mixture into the crock pot, which will gradually thicken the sauce and create a glossy texture.
- Once the meat is fork-tender and sauce has reached desired consistency, remove from heat.
- Plate the pepper steak over steamed rice or tender noodles, garnishing with optional fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Choose lean beef cuts like sirloin or flank steak for a tender and less fatty pepper steak.
- Allow extra cooking time if using tougher meat cuts to ensure maximum tenderness and breakdown of muscle fibers.
- Searing beef strips before slow cooking creates deep caramelized flavors and locks in rich, meaty juices.
- Adjust seasoning levels by reducing soy sauce for lower sodium diets or using low-sodium alternatives to accommodate health-conscious preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg