Description
This Pepper Steak in a Crock Pot recipe offers a hearty, flavorful, and effortless dinner option. Tender strips of beef combined with colorful bell peppers and a savory sauce create a comforting, slow-cooked meal perfect for busy weeknights. Packed with lean protein and fresh vegetables, it’s a nutritious dish that’s easy to prepare, cooks all day, and can be served over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 to 1.5 pounds flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced into strips
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 medium onion, sliced into strips
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- ½ cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- 2 tablespoons cold water (for slurry)
- Optional: 1 teaspoon sugar or honey
Optional Variations
- Chili flakes or sriracha, to taste (for spicy twist)
- Portobello mushrooms or tofu substitute (for vegetarian version)
- Extra vegetables such as snap peas, carrots, or mushrooms
- Fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs (added in last hour)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Slice the beef thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness. Slice the bell peppers and onions into even strips and mince the garlic to release its aromas.
- Combine in the Crock Pot: Place the beef, bell peppers, onions, and garlic in the crock pot. Pour in the soy sauce, beef broth, black pepper, and optionally sugar or honey. Stir gently to mix flavors without breaking up the meat.
- Cook on Low: Set the crock pot to low heat and cook for 6 to 8 hours, allowing beef to tenderize and vegetables to soften while keeping vibrant colors.
- Thicken the Sauce: About 30 minutes before the end of cooking, mix cornstarch or arrowroot powder with cold water to form a slurry. Stir this into the crock pot to thicken the sauce into a glossy coating.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the dish, adding extra salt, pepper, or soy sauce as needed. Serve hot and enjoy your flavorful pepper steak.
Notes
- Choose lean cuts of beef such as flank steak or sirloin to avoid excess fat.
- Slice all ingredients uniformly for even cooking.
- Do not overfill the crock pot; leave space for heat circulation.
- Avoid adding salt initially since soy sauce contains salt; adjust seasoning at the end.
- Add fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary during the last hour for enhanced aroma.
- Frozen bell peppers can be used if fresh are unavailable but may be softer after cooking.
- For gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari and use arrowroot instead of cornstarch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: pepper steak, crock pot, slow cooker, easy dinner, beef recipe, gluten free, healthy dinner