The Savory Pepper Steak in a Crock Pot Recipe You’ll Adore
Beef lovers rejoice as this pepper steak in a crock pot recipe delivers mouthwatering comfort right to your dinner table.
Tender strips of meat marinate in a rich, savory sauce that promises to tantalize your taste buds.
Slow cooking allows every ingredient to develop deep, robust flavors that melt together perfectly.
The combination of bell peppers and juicy beef creates a hearty meal that feels like a warm embrace.
Minimal prep work means you can set this dish and walk away, letting the crock pot work its magic.
Weeknight dinners just got an upgrade with this simple yet incredibly delicious recipe that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Prepare to savor every single bite of this classic comfort dish that transforms an ordinary evening into a memorable meal.
Flavor Options for Crock Pot Pepper Steak
Great Pairings with Crock Pot Pepper Steak
How to Store Crock Pot Pepper Steak
FAQs
Sirloin strips are ideal because they’re tender and cook quickly in the slow cooker. The meat becomes very soft and absorbs flavors well during the long cooking process.
Searing helps develop deeper flavor and creates a nice caramelized exterior on the meat. Skipping this step might result in less rich-tasting pepper steak.
Yes, cornstarch helps thicken the sauce and gives it a smooth, glossy texture. Without it, the sauce will be thinner and less cohesive.
Adding green peppers and onions later in the cooking process or cutting them into larger chunks can help maintain their texture and prevent overcooking.
Why Pepper Steak in Crock Pot Works
Ingredients for Crock Pot Pepper Steak
Main Ingredients:Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:Liquid and Binding Ingredients:Crock Pot Pepper Steak Preparation Steps
Step 1: Sear the Beef
Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season beef sirloin strips with garlic powder.
Sear the beef strips for about 5 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Transfer the seared beef to the slow cooker.
Step 2: Create the Flavor Base
Ingredients:Dissolve the beef bouillon cube in hot water. Whisk in cornstarch until completely blended.
Pour this savory mixture over the beef in the slow cooker.
Step 3: Build the Pepper Steak Layers
Ingredients:Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker.
Gently stir to ensure everything is well combined and the beef is evenly coated.
Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover the slow cooker and cook on High for 3 to 4 hours, or on Low for 6 to 8 hours.
The low and slow method will tenderize the beef and blend the flavors beautifully. Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles for a comforting meal that’ll warm you from the inside out.
Tips to Improve Crock Pot Pepper Steak
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Pepper Steak In A Crock Pot Recipe
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Hearty pepper steak simmers gently in a crock pot, blending tender beef strips with sweet bell peppers and rich savory sauce. Slow-cooking magic infuses each bite with comfort, promising a satisfying meal that draws family close around the dinner table.
Ingredients
Proteins:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) beef sirloin, cut into 2-inch strips
Vegetables:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) chopped onion
- 2 large green bell peppers, roughly chopped
- 1 (14.5 ounces/411 grams) can stewed tomatoes, with liquid
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) vegetable oil
- 1 cube beef bouillon
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) hot water
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Season beef sirloin strips generously with garlic powder, ensuring even coating for maximum flavor penetration.
- Sear meat in a hot skillet with vegetable oil over medium-high heat for approximately 2-3 minutes per side, creating a rich caramelized exterior that locks in juices.
- Transfer seared beef strips to slow cooker, preserving the golden-brown sear marks.
- Dissolve beef bouillon cube in hot water, whisking thoroughly until completely integrated.
- Blend cornstarch into the bouillon mixture, stirring until smooth and free of lumps, creating a thickening agent for the sauce.
- Pour bouillon-cornstarch liquid over beef in slow cooker, ensuring complete coverage.
- Add chopped onions, sliced green peppers, stewed tomatoes, soy sauce, sugar, and salt directly into the slow cooker.
- Gently stir all ingredients to distribute seasonings and vegetables evenly throughout the meat.
- Cover slow cooker and cook on High setting for 3-4 hours or Low setting for 6-8 hours, allowing meat to become tender and flavors to meld completely.
- Once cooking is complete, check meat’s tenderness and sauce consistency before serving.
Notes
- Tenderize beef by cutting against the grain to ensure maximum softness and easier chewing.
- Consider using low-sodium soy sauce to control salt intake and create a healthier version of the dish.
- Slice peppers and onions uniformly for consistent cooking and better texture distribution throughout the stew.
- Swap sirloin with less expensive cuts like chuck roast for a budget-friendly alternative without compromising flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 237 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 880 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Jess Martinez
Contributing Recipe Writer & Nutrition Consultant
Expertise
Southwestern and Latin American cooking, Nutritional analysis and healthy recipe planning, Cultural food traditions, Modifying traditional dishes for better health
Education
Santa Fe Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focused on mastering the flavors and cooking methods of traditional Southwestern cuisine.
Jess’s love for bold, homegrown flavors led her straight into the world of Southwestern cooking and cultural nutrition.
After completing her Certificate in Culinary Arts at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to show that good-for-you food can still taste incredible.
At saltytart.com, Jess shares vibrant, health-conscious recipes with roots in tradition but a fresh, modern twist. When she’s not testing new recipes, you’ll find her at local growers’ markets, tending her herb garden, or digging into food history books.