Can you put raw beef in a slow cooker?

Yes! That’s one of the best features of this dish. There’s no need to brown or pre-cook. Just place raw sirloin into the crockpot, pour the sauce over it, and you’re good to go.

Is pepper steak supposed to be spicy?

Not necessarily. Traditional pepper steak isn't spicy unless you add chili flakes or hot peppers. It’s more about the umami and sweetness from soy, garlic, and bell peppers.

Can I use stew meat instead of sirloin?

You can, but keep in mind stew meat tends to be tougher. For better results, cook it on LOW for 7–8 hours and ensure it’s cut into small, even chunks.

How do I prevent peppers from getting mushy?

Add bell peppers in the last hour of cooking if you like them crisp-tender. If you enjoy soft, sauce-soaked peppers, cook them the full 6 hours.

Crockpot Pepper Steak Recipe – The Best Slow Cooker Dinner for Busy Nights

Name: Crockpot Pepper Steak Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 lbs beef sirloin strips; 3 bell peppers (red, yellow, green), sliced thick; 1 large onion, sliced; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 3/4 cup beef broth; 3 beef bouillon cubes; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce; 2 tbsp honey; 1 tsp ground ginger; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp salt; 2 tbsp cornstarch

Description

Crockpot Pepper Steak is a savory, slow-cooked dish featuring tender beef strips, colorful bell peppers, and a rich umami sauce. It’s a comforting, easy-to-make meal perfect for busy weeknights or freezer-friendly meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs beef sirloin strips
3 bell peppers (red, yellow, green), sliced thick
1 large onion, sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup beef broth
3 beef bouillon cubes
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp honey
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp cornstarch

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Instructions

In a mixing glass, combine hot beef broth, crushed bouillon cubes, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, honey, ground ginger, black pepper, salt, and cornstarch. Stir until well mixed.
Place beef strips in the bottom of the crockpot.
Pour the prepared sauce over the beef.
Add sliced bell peppers, onions, and minced garlic on top of the beef.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours.
If possible, stir once halfway through cooking.
When done, stir well and serve over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.

Notes

For crispier peppers, add them during the last hour of cooking.
The sauce may seem minimal at first but increases as the ingredients release moisture.
This recipe can be prepped ahead and stored in the freezer.
You can substitute sirloin with flank steak or chuck roast if needed.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American, Chinese

Nutrition

Serving Size: 8oz
Calories: 267
Sugar: 11g
Sodium: 1229mg
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0.2g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 36g
Cholesterol: 92mg