If you’re someone who loves hearty, flavorful meals that practically cook themselves, then this Pepper Steak in a Crock Pot recipe will blow your mind! Tender beef, delicious bell peppers, and a savory sauce simmered to perfection – all made effortlessly in your slow cooker. This recipe is a game changer for busy days when you want something comforting and satisfying but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. The best part? You can toss everything in the crockpot, set it, and forget it while it transforms into a rich, mouthwatering dish. So, let’s dive deep into how to make this perfect Pepper Steak in a Crock Pot!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Easy: Toss the ingredients into the slow cooker and let it work its magic. Minimal effort, maximum flavor.
- Tender Beef: The beef sirloin becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender after slow cooking for hours.
- Savory Sauce: The sauce is a wonderful balance of savory, sweet, and slightly tangy from the soy sauce and tomatoes.
- Healthy: Packed with bell peppers and served over rice, this meal is filling without being too heavy.
- Perfect for Busy Days: The slow cooker does all the hard work for you, making this an ideal recipe for meal prepping, busy weekdays, or family gatherings.
The Ingredients You’ll Need for Pepper Steak in a Crock Pot
Before getting started, make sure you have all the ingredients ready. For this dish, you’ll need:
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds beef sirloin, cut into 2-inch strips: Sirloin is a great cut for slow cooking because it becomes tender and flavorful over time. You can also substitute with flank steak or round steak if needed.
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder (or to taste): Garlic powder adds depth of flavor to the steak and sauce. You can adjust this based on your garlic preference.
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil: This oil is used for searing the beef before slow cooking, which locks in flavor.
- 1 beef bouillon cube: This concentrated flavor cube is the key to making the sauce more savory and rich.
- ¼ cup hot water: Used to dissolve the bouillon cube and create the base of the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch: This will help thicken the sauce, giving it a rich consistency that coats the beef and vegetables perfectly.
- ½ cup chopped onion: Onions add a sweet, aromatic base flavor that complements the beef and peppers.
- 2 large green bell peppers, roughly chopped: The bell peppers provide a slight sweetness and crunch, which balances out the rich beef and sauce.
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can stewed tomatoes, with liquid: These tomatoes give the sauce body and depth, adding a tangy sweetness to the dish.
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce: Soy sauce is a key ingredient that adds a savory umami flavor to the sauce.
- 1 teaspoon white sugar: This helps balance out the acidity from the tomatoes and soy sauce.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavor of all the ingredients.
How to Make the Perfect Pepper Steak in a Crock Pot
This recipe couldn’t be easier to make, and I’ll walk you through every step to ensure your pepper steak comes out perfectly every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Beef
Start by cutting the beef sirloin into 2-inch strips. Make sure to slice against the grain to ensure the beef stays tender when it cooks. Once you have the strips ready, sprinkle them evenly with garlic powder. This adds flavor directly to the meat, and the garlic will really infuse the beef as it cooks.
Step 2: Sear the Beef
In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the beef strips in a single layer, and sear them for about 5 minutes on each side, or until they are nicely browned. Searing the beef adds extra flavor and caramelization, which enhances the overall dish. After searing the beef, transfer it to your slow cooker. Don’t worry if the beef isn’t fully cooked through at this point – it will continue cooking in the crockpot.
Step 3: Prepare the Sauce
Now it’s time to create the flavorful sauce that will coat the beef. In a separate container, dissolve 1 beef bouillon cube in ¼ cup hot water. Stir until the bouillon is completely dissolved, creating a rich, savory broth.
Next, mix in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch into the bouillon mixture. The cornstarch will thicken the sauce as it cooks, making it luscious and smooth.
Once your sauce base is ready, pour it over the seared beef in the slow cooker.
Step 4: Add the Vegetables
Now, it’s time to add all the delicious veggies! Into the slow cooker, add ½ cup of chopped onion and 2 large green bell peppers, which should be roughly chopped. The bell peppers will soften as they cook but still retain some texture, while the onions will mellow and become sweet.
Then, pour in the stewed tomatoes (with their liquid) for a flavorful base, and add 3 tablespoons of soy sauce. The soy sauce will give the dish a lovely umami flavor. Next, add 1 teaspoon of white sugar to balance the acidity from the tomatoes, and 1 teaspoon of salt to bring everything together. Stir all the ingredients well to make sure they’re evenly distributed.
Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection
Now it’s time for the slow cooker to work its magic! Cover the slow cooker with its lid, and set it to cook on High for 3 to 4 hours or on Low for 6 to 8 hours. During this time, the beef will become incredibly tender, the vegetables will soften, and the sauce will thicken, creating the perfect pepper steak that’s savory, rich, and full of flavor.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once the cooking time is up, give everything a good stir and taste the sauce. If needed, adjust the seasoning with a little more salt or soy sauce to your liking. Serve the Pepper Steak hot over a bed of steamed white rice, mashed potatoes, or even noodles for a complete meal.
For a final touch, garnish with a little fresh parsley or green onions if you have them on hand. This adds a pop of color and a bit of freshness to the rich flavors of the dish.
Tips for Making the Best Pepper Steak in a Crock Pot
- Use High-Quality Beef: The beef sirloin is the star of the dish, so using a high-quality cut will make a big difference in flavor and tenderness. You could also use flank steak or round steak if preferred.
- Customize with Extra Veggies: Feel free to throw in extra veggies like carrots, mushrooms, or even zucchini for a heartier dish.
- Adjust the Spice Level: If you like a bit of heat, you can add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce mix.
- For a Thicker Sauce: If you want a thicker sauce, simply mix a little more cornstarch with water and add it to the crockpot in the final hour of cooking. Stir well to ensure it thickens up without clumps.
- Meal Prep Tip: This dish makes great leftovers! It also freezes well, so you can enjoy it on a busy day without having to cook from scratch.
Conclusion: A Flavorful and Easy Crock Pot Meal
This Pepper Steak in a Crock Pot is the ultimate comfort food – tender beef, bell peppers, and a savory, slightly sweet sauce that’s perfect for drizzling over rice or potatoes. The best part? It’s made effortlessly in the slow cooker, so you can set it and forget it while it transforms into an incredibly flavorful dish.
Whether you’re feeding a family, prepping meals for the week, or simply looking for a no-fuss dinner idea, this recipe is sure to impress. So don’t wait – give this recipe a try today, and make sure you don’t lose it! Your taste buds will thank you! 😋
