Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

When you're craving a hearty, comforting dinner without spending hours standing over the stove, Slow Cooker Pepper Steak is an excellent choice. Tender pieces of beef slowly simmer with colorful bell peppers, onions, and a savory sauce until everything is rich, flavorful, and wonderfully tender.

This classic-style dish combines the satisfying texture of beef with the sweetness of cooked peppers and onions. The slow cooker allows the flavors to develop gradually, creating a deeply savory sauce that is especially delicious spooned over hot rice.

Best of all, the preparation is straightforward. Once the ingredients are added to the slow cooker, you can let it gently cook while you take care of the rest of your day.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Slow Cooker Pepper Steak is ideal for busy weeknights, family dinners, and cozy weekends at home.

Here are a few reasons to add it to your meal rotation:

• The slow cooker does most of the work.

• The beef becomes tender and flavorful.

• Bell peppers add color, sweetness, and freshness.

• The sauce is savory, rich, and perfect over rice.

• It uses simple ingredients that are easy to find.

• Leftovers reheat well for another meal.

Ingredients

For the pepper steak:

• 2 pounds beef sirloin or round steak, thinly sliced

• 1 large green bell pepper, sliced

• 1 large red bell pepper, sliced

• 1 medium yellow onion, sliced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained

• 1 cup beef broth

• 1/4 cup soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 2 tablespoons cold water

For serving:

• Cooked white or brown rice

• Chopped green onions, optional

• Sesame seeds, optional

Step 1: Slice the Beef

Begin by preparing the beef.

If the steak is not already thinly sliced, place it on a cutting board and slice it into thin strips against the grain.

Cutting against the grain is important because it shortens the muscle fibers, helping the beef feel more tender when you eat it.

Try to keep the pieces relatively similar in size so they cook evenly.

If your beef is difficult to slice, place it in the freezer for about 15–20 minutes first. The slightly firmer texture makes thin slicing much easier.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables

Wash the bell peppers and remove the stems, seeds, and white membranes.

Slice the peppers into strips.

Peel the onion and cut it into thin slices.

Finally, mince the garlic.

You can use any combination of bell pepper colors you like. Green peppers provide a slightly sharper flavor, while red and yellow peppers add natural sweetness.

Step 3: Layer the Ingredients in the Slow Cooker

Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker if desired.

Place the sliced beef into the bottom of the slow cooker.

Add the sliced onion, bell peppers, and minced garlic.

Spread the vegetables evenly over the beef so that everything cooks together.

There is no need to brown the beef first for this version, which keeps the preparation quick and convenient.

However, if you have a few extra minutes and want a deeper roasted flavor, you can quickly sear the beef in a hot skillet before adding it to the slow cooker.

Step 4: Prepare the Sauce

In a medium bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, beef broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt.

Whisk everything together until the brown sugar and seasonings are well distributed.

The combination of soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce gives the dish a deep savory flavor, while the small amount of brown sugar balances the saltiness and adds a subtle sweetness.

Pour the sauce mixture over the beef and vegetables.

Step 5: Start Slow Cooking

Place the lid securely on the slow cooker.

Cook on LOW for approximately 6–7 hours or on HIGH for about 3–4 hours.

The beef should become tender and the vegetables should soften while still retaining some texture.

Cooking times can vary between slow cookers, so begin checking toward the shorter end of the cooking range.

Try to avoid repeatedly removing the lid during cooking. Slow cookers rely on retained heat, and lifting the lid can significantly slow the cooking process.

Please Head On keep  on Reading  (>)