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A serving of easy slow cooker pepper steak with tender beef and colorful bell peppers

Classic Easy Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

This classic slow cooker pepper steak recipe makes tender beef and colorful bell peppers in a savory sauce, perfect for an easy weeknight meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 ½ - 2 lbs top round steak or flank steak thinly sliced against the grain
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for searing, optional
  • 1 large onion thinly sliced
  • 2 bell peppers any color, or a mix for visual appeal, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can (14.5 ounce) diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • ¼ cup soy sauce low-sodium preferred
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey/maple syrup for a touch of sweetness
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
For Slurry
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
Optional Garnish
  • sesame seeds
  • chopped green onions

Equipment

  • skillet
  • slow cooker
  • bowl

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Sear the beef slices in olive oil for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned, then transfer to the slow cooker.
  2. Layer sliced onion, bell peppers, and minced garlic over the beef in the slow cooker.
Cooking
  1. Whisk together diced tomatoes, beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, ground ginger, and black pepper, then pour over the ingredients in the slow cooker.
  2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the beef is very tender.
  3. Create a slurry by whisking cornstarch and cold water; stir into the slow cooker 20-30 minutes before serving. Continue cooking on high for another 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Serving
  1. Taste and adjust seasonings, then serve hot, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions if desired.

Notes

For even more flavor, consider marinating the beef for at least 30 minutes before searing. Adjust the amount of brown sugar or soy sauce to your preference. Serve over rice or noodles for a complete meal.