Crockpot pepper steak is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines tender strips of beef, colorful bell peppers, and a flavorful sauce. It’s typically cooked in a slow cooker (crockpot) to allow the flavors to meld together and the meat to become incredibly tender. Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
- 1.5 to 2 pounds of beef steak (such as flank steak or sirloin), thinly sliced into strips
- 2-3 bell peppers (different colors for visual appeal), sliced into strips
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup beef broth or beef stock
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced or grated
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 2 tablespoons water (optional, for cornstarch slurry)
- Salt to taste
- Chopped green onions for garnish
- Cooked rice or noodles for serving
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix together the beef broth, soy sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, minced garlic, ginger, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. This will be your sauce.
- Place the sliced onions and bell peppers at the bottom of the crockpot.
- Layer the sliced beef on top of the vegetables.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the beef and vegetables.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. Cooking times may vary depending on your specific slow cooker model.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, about 30 minutes before serving, you can create a cornstarch slurry by mixing the cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Stir the slurry into the crockpot and continue cooking until the sauce thickens.
- Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed.
- Serve the pepper steak over cooked rice or noodles.
- Garnish with chopped green onions for a fresh flavor and a pop of color.
Crockpot pepper steak is a versatile dish, so feel free to customize it by adding other vegetables or adjusting the seasonings to your preference. Enjoy your flavorful and tender pepper steak straight from the crockpot!
