Slow Cooker Steak and Pepper Gravy
Tender steak, sweet bell peppers, onions, and a rich homemade gravy come together in this Slow Cooker Steak and Pepper Gravy—the ultimate cozy comfort-food dinner! 🤎
The slow cooker gently simmers the beef until it becomes wonderfully tender, while the peppers and onions add sweetness and flavor to the savory gravy. It’s an easy meal that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen, but the slow cooker does most of the work.
Serve it over creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, buttered noodles, or even cauliflower rice. And make sure you have something ready to soak up that delicious gravy!
🛒 Ingredients
For the Steak
- 2 lb beef chuck steak or round steak, cut into strips or bite-size pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
For the Gravy
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp butter
To Thicken
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp cold water
Optional
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra black pepper
- Sliced green onions
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Season the Beef
Pat the steak pieces dry with paper towels.
Season with salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss until evenly coated.
2. Sear the Steak
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Working in batches if necessary, sear the beef for about 2–3 minutes per side, just until browned.
Transfer the steak to the slow cooker.
Searing is optional, but it adds a deeper, richer flavor to the finished gravy.
3. Add the Vegetables
Place the sliced onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic over the beef.
The peppers will soften as they cook and add a lovely sweetness to the savory sauce.
4. Make the Gravy Mixture
In a bowl, whisk together the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika.
Pour the mixture over the beef and vegetables.
Add the butter on top.
5. Slow Cook
Cover and cook on:
- LOW for 6–8 hours, or
- HIGH for 3–4 hours
Cook until the steak is tender and the vegetables are soft.
For the most tender results, LOW is recommended.
6. Thicken the Gravy
About 20–30 minutes before serving, mix the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl until completely smooth.
Stir the slurry into the slow cooker.
Cover and continue cooking on HIGH for about 15–20 minutes, or until the gravy thickens.
If you prefer a thicker gravy, add another small amount of cornstarch slurry.
7. Taste & Serve
Taste the gravy and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
Garnish with fresh parsley or sliced green onions.
Serve the tender steak and peppers over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles, making sure to spoon plenty of gravy over everything.
🍽️ What to Serve With It
This hearty steak dinner pairs perfectly with:
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- White or brown rice
- Buttered egg noodles
- Mashed cauliflower
- Roasted potatoes
- Green beans
- Steamed broccoli
- Warm dinner rolls
💡 Pro Tips
Use the right cut: Chuck steak or another tougher beef cut works well for slow cooking because the long cooking time helps break down the connective tissue.
Sear for extra flavor: Browning the beef first creates flavorful browned bits that make the gravy even richer.
Don’t add cornstarch too early: Adding the slurry near the end gives you better control over the final gravy consistency.
Cut vegetables evenly: Similar-sized pepper and onion slices cook more consistently.
Cook on LOW when possible: A longer, gentler cooking time helps tougher cuts become tender.
Taste before serving: Beef broth and Worcestershire sauce can vary in saltiness, so adjust the final seasoning at the end.
❓ Quick Q&A
Can I use sirloin steak?
Yes. Sirloin can be used, although it is leaner and doesn’t require as long a cooking time as tougher cuts. Keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
Can I skip searing the beef?
Absolutely. The slow cooker will still cook the beef, but searing adds extra savory flavor.
Can I use frozen peppers?
Yes. Frozen peppers can work, though they may become softer than fresh peppers.
How can I make this gluten-free?
Use a gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and verify that your beef broth and other packaged ingredients are gluten-free.
Can I make this ahead?
Yes. Store the cooked steak and gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently and add a splash of beef broth if the gravy becomes too thick.
❤️ Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Steak and Pepper Gravy is the kind of meal that makes a regular evening feel like Sunday dinner. Tender beef, sweet peppers, savory onions, and rich gravy come together in one comforting dish that’s perfect for serving over a big pile of mashed potatoes or rice.
It’s warm, hearty, satisfying, and wonderfully easy—exactly the kind of slow cooker recipe you’ll want to keep coming back to. 🥩🫑🤎
