Crock Pot Pepper Steak: Easy Recipe for a Delicious Meal

Crock Pot Pepper Steak: Imagine coming home after a long day to the savory aroma of tender beef, sweet bell peppers, and a rich, flavorful sauce, all cooked to perfection in your crock pot. This isn’t just dinner; it’s a comforting culinary hug! For generations, pepper steak has been a beloved staple in Chinese-American cuisine, offering a delightful fusion of Eastern flavors and Western cooking techniques. Its origins can be traced back to the mid-20th century, when Chinese immigrants adapted traditional stir-fry dishes to suit American palates and available ingredients.

What makes Crock Pot Pepper Steak so irresistible? It’s the perfect combination of tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef, the slight sweetness and satisfying crunch of bell peppers, and a savory sauce that ties it all together. But beyond the incredible taste, it’s the sheer convenience that makes this recipe a winner. Simply toss the ingredients into your crock pot in the morning, and by evening, you’ll have a delicious and satisfying meal ready to enjoy. No slaving over a hot stove, no complicated techniques – just pure, unadulterated flavor with minimal effort. Get ready to experience the magic of slow cooking with this classic dish!

Ingredients:

• Beef: 2 lbs beef sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
• Peppers: 2 bell peppers (1 green, 1 red), seeded and sliced
• Onion: 1 large yellow onion, sliced
• Tomatoes: 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• Tomato Sauce: 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
• Beef Broth: 1 cup beef broth
• Soy Sauce: 1/4 cup soy sauce
• Worcestershire Sauce: 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• Garlic: 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Ginger: 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• Brown Sugar: 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• Cornstarch: 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• Water: 2 tablespoons cold water
• Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and Pepper: To taste
• Cooked Rice: For serving (optional)

Preparing the Beef and Vegetables:

1. First, let’s get our beef ready. Pat the beef sirloin cubes dry with paper towels. This helps them brown better. Season them generously with salt and pepper. Don’t be shy!
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. We want to sear the beef, not steam it. Sear each batch for about 2-3 minutes per side, until nicely browned. Browning the beef adds a ton of flavor to the final dish.
3. As the beef is browned, transfer it to your crock pot.
4. Now, let’s prep the veggies. Slice the bell peppers (I like using one green and one red for color, but you can use whatever you have on hand) and the onion.
5. Add the sliced bell peppers and onion to the crock pot, on top of the browned beef.
6. Mince the garlic. If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use about 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, but fresh is always better in my opinion!

Making the Sauce:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the diced tomatoes (undrained – we want all that juice!), tomato sauce, beef broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, ground ginger, and brown sugar. Make sure everything is well combined.
2. Pour this delicious sauce mixture over the beef and vegetables in the crock pot.
3. Give everything a good stir to ensure the beef and vegetables are evenly coated in the sauce.

Slow Cooking:

1. Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The beef should be very tender and easily shredded with a fork when it’s done.
2. If you’re cooking on high, check the beef after 3 hours to make sure it’s not overcooking. Every crock pot is different, so cooking times can vary.

Thickening the Sauce:

1. Once the beef is cooked and tender, it’s time to thicken the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. This is your cornstarch slurry.
2. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the crock pot and stir well to combine.
3. Cover the crock pot and cook on high for another 15-30 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. Keep an eye on it, as the sauce can thicken quickly.

Serving:

1. Taste the pepper steak and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want to add a little more salt, pepper, or soy sauce to taste.
2. Serve the crock pot pepper steak hot over cooked rice. White rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice all work well.
3. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds, if desired.

Tips and Variations:

• Beef Options: While sirloin is a great choice, you can also use stew meat or even flank steak for this recipe. If using flank steak, slice it thinly against the grain after cooking.
• Pepper Variations: Feel free to experiment with different colored bell peppers or even add some jalapenos for a little heat.
• Vegetable Additions: You can add other vegetables to this dish, such as mushrooms, carrots, or celery. Add them to the crock pot along with the bell peppers and onions.
• Sweetness Adjustment: If you prefer a sweeter pepper steak, you can add a little more brown sugar or even a tablespoon of honey.
• Spice it Up: For a spicier dish, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture.
• Make it Gluten-Free: To make this recipe gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure your Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free.
• Freezing: This pepper steak freezes well. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating: Reheat leftover pepper steak in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat. Add a little beef broth if needed to thin the sauce.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve over rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)
• Serve over noodles
• Serve with mashed potatoes
• Serve as a filling for lettuce wraps
• Serve as a topping for baked potatoes

Why this recipe works:

This Crock Pot Pepper Steak recipe is a winner because it’s incredibly easy to make, requires minimal effort, and delivers maximum flavor. The slow cooking process allows the beef to become incredibly tender and the flavors to meld together beautifully. The combination of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar creates a delicious sweet and savory sauce that perfectly complements the beef and vegetables. Plus, it’s a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking with different vegetables and spices. The fact that it’s a crock pot recipe means you can set it and forget it, making it perfect for busy weeknights. And the leftovers are just as delicious, making it a great option for meal prepping.

Nutritional Information (approximate, per serving):

Please note that the nutritional information is an estimate and can vary depending on the specific ingredients used and portion sizes.

• Calories: Approximately 350-400
• Protein: 30-35g
• Fat: 15-20g
• Carbohydrates: 20-25g
• Fiber: 3-5g

Enjoy your delicious and easy Crock Pot Pepper Steak! I hope you love it as much as I do!

Conclusion:

This Crock Pot Pepper Steak recipe isn’t just another weeknight dinner; it’s a flavor explosion waiting to happen, and trust me, you absolutely need to try it. The tender, melt-in-your-mouth steak, combined with the vibrant peppers and onions, all simmered in that rich, savory sauce, is a culinary experience that’s both incredibly satisfying and surprisingly easy to achieve. Forget slaving over a hot stove – this recipe lets your slow cooker do all the hard work, leaving you with more time to relax and enjoy the delicious results.

What makes this recipe a must-try? It’s the perfect balance of convenience and flavor. You get a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort. Plus, the leftovers (if there are any!) are just as amazing the next day. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, creating a depth of taste that you simply can’t achieve with quicker cooking methods. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, even for picky eaters!

But the best part? This recipe is incredibly versatile. While it’s fantastic served over a bed of fluffy white rice, don’t be afraid to get creative! For a heartier meal, try serving it with creamy mashed potatoes or egg noodles. You could even spoon it into warm tortillas for delicious pepper steak tacos or burritos. And if you’re watching your carbs, it’s equally delicious served over cauliflower rice or simply enjoyed on its own.

Looking for variations? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little extra heat. Or, if you’re a mushroom lover, toss in some sliced mushrooms during the last hour of cooking. A splash of Worcestershire sauce can also add a deeper, more complex flavor. Feel free to experiment and make it your own! You can also add a can of diced tomatoes for a slightly sweeter and more tomato-based sauce. Consider adding a bay leaf during the cooking process for an extra layer of aroma and flavor; just remember to remove it before serving.

Serving Suggestions:

* Over white or brown rice
* With mashed potatoes or egg noodles
* In tacos or burritos
* Over cauliflower rice for a low-carb option
* With a side of steamed broccoli or green beans

Variations:

* Add red pepper flakes for heat
* Include sliced mushrooms
* Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce
* Use different colored bell peppers for visual appeal
* Add a can of diced tomatoes

I’m truly excited for you to try this Crock Pot Pepper Steak recipe. It’s a guaranteed winner, and I know you’ll love it as much as I do. So, gather your ingredients, dust off your slow cooker, and get ready to enjoy a truly unforgettable meal.

And most importantly, don’t forget to share your experience! I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Did you make any variations? What did you serve it with? Share your photos and comments – let’s create a community of pepper steak enthusiasts! I can’t wait to see what culinary masterpieces you create. Happy cooking!

---