Slow-Cooker Pepper Steak
There’s something wonderfully comforting about coming home to the smell of beef, peppers, onions, and a savory sauce simmering away in the slow cooker. Slow-Cooker Pepper Steak is one of those easy dinners that feels like you spent hours in the kitchen, even though most of the work is simply preparing the ingredients and letting the crockpot do its magic.
Tender strips of beef are slowly cooked with colorful bell peppers, sweet onions, garlic, and a rich, savory sauce made with beef broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste. As everything cooks together, the beef becomes tender and flavorful while the vegetables soak up all those delicious juices.
This recipe is especially handy on busy weekdays. You can prepare everything in the morning, turn on the slow cooker, and have a warm, satisfying dinner ready by evening. It also makes a generous amount, so leftovers are perfect for lunch the next day.
🛒 Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef sirloin, round steak, or chuck steak, thinly sliced
- 2 large bell peppers, sliced
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or a sugar-free alternative
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons cold water
👩🍳 How to Make Slow-Cooker Pepper Steak
1. Prepare the beef
Start by slicing the beef into thin strips. For the most tender results, slice against the grain. Season the beef with black pepper, smoked paprika, and onion powder.
If you have a few extra minutes, you can brown the beef before adding it to the slow cooker. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and quickly sear the beef in batches. You don’t need to cook it through—just brown the outside. This optional step adds a deeper, richer flavor to the finished dish.
2. Add the vegetables
Place the sliced onions and bell peppers into the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the seasoned beef on top, followed by the minced garlic.
You can use any combination of bell peppers you enjoy. Red, yellow, orange, and green peppers all work beautifully and add different levels of sweetness and color.
3. Prepare the sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar or preferred sweetener, and red pepper flakes.
Pour this mixture evenly over the beef and vegetables. Give everything a gentle stir so the sauce can coat the ingredients.
4. Let the slow cooker do the work
Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
The exact cooking time can vary depending on the cut and thickness of your beef. The goal is tender beef that can be easily cut with a fork.
Try not to repeatedly lift the lid while cooking. Every time the lid is opened, heat escapes and the cooking process slows down.
5. Thicken the sauce
When the beef is tender and you’re close to serving, mix the cornstarch with cold water in a small bowl. Whisk until completely smooth with no lumps.
Stir the cornstarch mixture into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for approximately 15–20 minutes, or until the sauce becomes thicker and glossy.
Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the seasoning if needed.
🍽️ What to Serve With Pepper Steak
Traditional pepper steak is delicious served over warm rice because the rice soaks up the flavorful sauce. For a lower-carb meal, serve it over cauliflower rice or alongside steamed broccoli, roasted green beans, or sautéed zucchini.
You can also serve it with mashed potatoes for an extra comforting family dinner.
💡 Helpful Tips
Slice the beef properly: Cutting against the grain makes a noticeable difference in tenderness.
Don’t skip browning if you have time: While optional, quickly searing the beef adds extra depth and a delicious browned flavor.
Keep the peppers firmer: If you prefer peppers with more texture, add them during the final 1–2 hours of cooking rather than at the beginning.
Control the sweetness: Use a sugar-free sweetener if you want to reduce added sugar.
Make it spicy: Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for more heat.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Slow-Cooker Pepper Steak is simple, hearty, and incredibly convenient. It uses everyday ingredients, creates minimal cleanup, and delivers tender beef with plenty of flavorful sauce. Whether you’re feeding the family on a busy weeknight or preparing leftovers for the next day, it’s an easy recipe worth keeping in your regular dinner rotation.
⏱️ Recipe Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6–7 hours on LOW
Servings: 6
Difficulty: Easy
For a high-protein, lower-carb option, serve the pepper steak with cauliflower rice or roasted vegetables instead of traditional rice.
