Name: Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¾ cup hot beef broth; 3 beef bouillon cubes; ¼ cup soy sauce; 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 2 tablespoon honey; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoon cornstarch or flour; 2 lbs beef sirloin strips or sirloin steak, sliced; 3 large colorful bell peppers, sliced thick; 1 large onion, sliced; 3 garlic cloves

Jump to Recipe·5.1 from 19 reviews

If you’re dreaming about a genuinely fuss-free dinner that tastes like you spent hours over the stove, look no further than this Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe. Loaded with tender strips of beef, bold bell peppers, and a savory-sweet sauce that clings to every bite, it’s everything comfort food should be—hearty, vibrant, and crowd-pleasing. What I love most? You can just toss everything in, set it, and let your slow cooker work its magic while you enjoy the incredible aroma wafting through your kitchen. One bite and this Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe might just become your weeknight hero.

Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe is how such simple staples come together for BIG flavor. Each ingredient adds its own pop of color, punch of taste, or hint of texture to make this dish really sing. Here’s everything you’ll need and why it matters:

Beef sirloin strips: Go for a tender cut, as these melt into fork-tender bites after slow cooking.
Colorful bell peppers: Red, yellow, and green varieties add sweet earthiness and a gorgeous splash of color.
Onion: Sliced thick, it gives lovely sweetness that balances the savory sauce.
Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic deepens the aroma and offers classic, robust flavor.
Beef broth: This forms the base of the sauce, infusing the dish with rich, meaty flavor.
Beef bouillon cubes: They intensify the umami savoriness—crumble them right in with the broth for extra depth.
Soy sauce: Savory, salty, and a little tangy, it elevates all the other flavors in the recipe.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds a subtle tang and complexity—don’t skip it!
Honey: Just enough for a hint of sweetness that balances out the salt and spice.
Ground ginger: Brings gentle warmth and a pop of peppery citrus that brightens the sauce.
Black pepper: A little spice for depth without overwhelming the other flavors.
Salt: Adjust to taste, since the soy and bouillon already contribute some saltiness.
Cornstarch or flour: Either works to thicken the luscious sauce so it coats every piece perfectly.

How to Make Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe

Step 1: Mix Up the Saucy Magic

Start by making the sauce: combine the hot beef broth, bouillon cubes, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, honey, ground ginger, black pepper, salt, and cornstarch or flour in a mixing glass or bowl. Stir well, crushing the bouillon cubes to dissolve and infuse the sauce completely. This step ensures every bite will be packed with flavor right from the start.

Step 2: Layer the Ingredients in the Slow Cooker

Place the beef sirloin strips in the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the sauce you just whisked together directly over the meat. Next, scatter the sliced bell peppers, onions, and garlic cloves right over the top, letting those veggies and aromatics cozy up with the beef. This layering means the flavors will mingle as they slowly cook.

Step 3: Set and Forget

Now for the easiest part—let your slow cooker work its magic! Put the lid on and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for about 3 hours. If you’re around, give it a gentle stir halfway through to make sure everything is coated, but don’t worry if you can’t—this recipe is beautifully forgiving. While it may look like there’s not a ton of liquid at first, trust the process! The beef and veggies will release plenty as they simmer, creating that irresistible sauce.

Step 4: Serve and Savor

When the timer beeps (and the mouthwatering aroma has taken over your kitchen!), stir the Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe once more so everything is cloaked in sauce. Transfer to a serving dish and get ready to dig in. This dish is especially delicious spooned over fluffy rice, buttery noodles, or even beside creamy mashed potatoes.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe

Garnishes

A little extra flair never hurts! Sprinkle with sliced green onions for freshness, a drizzle of toasted sesame oil for earthy depth, or sesame seeds to add crunch and a hint of nuttiness. Red pepper flakes are perfect if you love a little spice, and a handful of chopped cilantro can brighten things up instantly.

Side Dishes

This Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe shines over a bed of jasmine rice, buttery egg noodles, or even quinoa for something a bit lighter. If you’re serving a crowd or craving extra comfort, add a side of steamed broccoli, roasted green beans, or a crisp cucumber salad to keep things balanced.

Creative Ways to Present

For an unforgettable meal, try serving pepper steak in individual noodle bowls topped with all your favorite fixings, or pile it into lettuce wraps for a fun, hands-on dinner. If you’re entertaining, mini bowls over sticky rice make an elegant appetizer. Leftovers even work inside wraps or as a topping for baked potatoes—so versatile!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your leftover Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe will keep beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors continue to develop and meld overnight, making it a fantastic next-day lunch or dinner. Be sure to cool leftovers thoroughly before sealing and stashing in the fridge.

Freezing

Pepper steak freezes like a dream! Let the dish cool completely, then portion into freezer-safe containers or zip bags, making sure some sauce covers the meat to help prevent freezer burn. Label with the date, and you’ll have a ready-made, flavor-packed dinner in your freezer for up to 2 months.

Reheating

When you’re ready for round two, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight if frozen, then reheat gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat. You can also microwave individual servings, stirring occasionally until steaming hot. Add a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen up the sauce.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Absolutely! While sirloin is wonderfully tender, you can swap in flank steak, round steak, or even pre-sliced stir-fry beef from the store. Just be sure to slice against the grain for the best texture, and keep an eye on tenderness if using a leaner cut.

Do I have to use three colors of bell pepper?

Not at all! Using a mix of red, green, and yellow peppers creates a beautiful color palette and varying sweetness, but if you only have one or two on hand, the Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe will still taste delicious. Use whatever you like or is on sale.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely—just swap the soy sauce for a gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos, and use cornstarch instead of flour for thickening. Double-check your bouillon cubes to make sure they’re gluten-free too.

My sauce looks thin—how can I thicken it?

If the sauce is a little thinner than you’d like at the end, mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water and stir it into the hot pepper steak. Let it simmer for another 10 minutes in the slow cooker with the lid off; the sauce will thicken up beautifully.

Can I add extra vegetables?

Of course! Mushrooms, snap peas, or baby corn all pair perfectly with this recipe. Just keep in mind that very tender veggies (like spinach or bean sprouts) are best added in the last 30 minutes so they don’t get too soft.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a bold, easy, and satisfying dinner, this Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe delivers every time. It’s just the sort of dish you’ll want to share with loved ones—simple enough for a weeknight, but special enough for company. Give it a try, and don’t be surprised if it quickly earns a spot in your regular rotation!