Crockpot Pepper Steak

This Crockpot Pepper Steak is a flavorful and satisfying meal that brings together the rich taste of slow-cooked beef with the sweet and slightly crisp texture of bell peppers. The soy-based sauce, balanced with brown sugar and garlic, infuses every bite with savory depth and just the right hint of sweetness.

Perfect for busy days, this dish requires minimal prep and lets your crockpot do all the hard work. It’s ideal for meal prepping, family dinners, or serving guests something cozy yet impressive. Serve it over rice, noodles, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. Either way, this is a hearty, homestyle favorite that’s sure to become part of your regular dinner rotation.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs sirloin or flank steak, sliced into thin strips

• 2 green bell peppers, sliced

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced

• 1 yellow onion, sliced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce

• 1/4 cup water

• 2 tbsp brown sugar

• 1 tbsp cornstarch

• 1 tbsp sesame oil

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• Cooked white rice, for serving

• Chopped green onions and sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water, brown sugar, cornstarch, sesame oil, garlic, and ground ginger until smooth. Set aside.

2. Place sliced steak, bell peppers, and onion into the crockpot.

3. Pour the sauce mixture over the ingredients in the crockpot and stir to combine.

4. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 2.5-3 hours, until the beef is tender and the peppers are cooked to your preference.

5. Serve hot over cooked white rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 5 hours | Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
Kcal: 365 kcal per serving | Servings: 6 servings

Crockpot Pepper Steak: A Comforting Classic with Minimal Effort

There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm, savory dish that’s been simmering all day and welcomes you home with mouthwatering aromas. That’s exactly what you get with Crockpot Pepper Steak, a simple yet flavor-packed meal that’s beloved across households for its tender beef, sweet bell peppers, and rich soy-based sauce. Whether you’re juggling a busy schedule, feeding a hungry family, or just looking for a cozy dinner option, this dish checks every box.

Originating from the Chinese-American takeout world, pepper steak is a stir-fry dish known for its bold umami profile and vibrant veggies. By adapting this recipe to the slow cooker, we’re taking all the hassle out of the process. There’s no standing over a hot stove, no juggling multiple pans just a handful of ingredients tossed into the crockpot, left to cook low and slow until melt-in-your-mouth tender.

This version strikes a perfect balance between sweet, salty, and savory. It features thinly sliced beef (typically sirloin or flank steak) that absorbs flavor beautifully during hours of slow cooking. Paired with green and red bell peppers, onions, and a garlic-ginger soy sauce base, this dish is every bit as delicious as your favorite takeout—but healthier and homemade.

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Pepper Steak

1. Set It and Forget It

One of the biggest advantages of this recipe is how hands-off it is. Prep time takes less than 15 minutes, just slice your ingredients, mix the sauce, and toss everything into the slow cooker. Whether you’re working from home or heading out for the day, you’ll come back to a hearty, home-cooked meal with zero additional effort.

2. Family-Friendly and Versatile

Pepper steak is a dish that appeals to both adults and kids. The flavors are familiar yet bold, and you can easily adjust spice levels based on your preferences. Want a bit of heat? Add red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha. Serving picky eaters? Stick to milder bell peppers and keep the seasonings subtle.

3. Perfect for Meal Prep

This dish keeps well in the fridge and freezer, making it ideal for batch cooking. Store individual portions with rice or cauliflower rice in airtight containers and enjoy a complete, reheat-and-eat meal any day of the week. It even tastes better the next day as the flavors continue to meld.

The Secret to Tender, Flavorful Beef

One of the standout features of this dish is how the slow cooking method transforms inexpensive cuts of beef into fork-tender bites. Unlike stir-frying, which requires quick cooking over high heat, slow cooking allows connective tissues in the meat to break down gradually. The result? Steak that practically melts in your mouth.

Choosing the right cut is key. Sirloin, flank steak, or round steak are all great options, affordable, lean, and flavorful. Just make sure to slice the beef thinly across the grain. This not only makes each bite more tender but also helps the meat soak up the sauce more thoroughly.

Bell Peppers: Color, Crunch, and Nutrition

Bell peppers are more than just a colorful addition to this dish, they bring sweetness, texture, and a load of nutritional benefits. Red, green, and yellow bell peppers each offer a slightly different flavor profile, ranging from grassy and crisp to mellow and sweet. Using a variety adds visual appeal and depth to the dish.

Nutritionally speaking, bell peppers are loaded with:

• Vitamin C – great for immune support

• Antioxidants – including beta-carotene and flavonoids

• Fiber – helps with digestion and fullness

By adding them toward the end of the cooking process or using a shorter cook time, you can preserve a bit of their crunch while still allowing them to absorb the rich sauce.

The Flavorful Sauce: Simple Pantry Staples

What really brings this dish to life is the flavorful sauce. It’s a blend of everyday ingredients like soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, and sesame oil, yet together they create a deep umami-rich base that coats every piece of meat and pepper.

Here’s what each key ingredient contributes:

• Soy Sauce: The salty umami backbone. You can use low-sodium to keep the salt content in check.

• Brown Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the salt and enhance caramelization.

• Garlic & Ginger: Classic aromatics in Asian cuisine that deepen the flavor.

• Sesame Oil: A few drops add a rich, nutty finish.

• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce into a luscious glaze, perfect for spooning over rice.

This sauce is easy to tweak to suit your preferences. Want it spicier? Add sriracha or chili garlic sauce. Need it sweeter? A splash of hoisin or a dash of honey will do the trick.

Serving Suggestions

Crockpot Pepper Steak is typically served over white rice, but there are plenty of delicious pairings to consider:

• Brown rice for a nuttier, more fiber-rich base

• Jasmine or basmati rice for a fragrant twist

• Cauliflower rice for a low-carb option

• Egg noodles for a stir-fry feel

• Quinoa for added protein and texture

To round out the meal, you can add a side of steamed broccoli, bok choy, or a simple cucumber salad. A sprinkle of chopped green onions and sesame seeds gives the final touch of freshness and crunch.

Variations to Try

This recipe is a great base for creativity. Here are a few variations you can try:

• Pineapple Pepper Steak: Add pineapple chunks for a sweet-and-savory tropical twist.

• Spicy Szechuan Style: Add crushed red pepper or chili oil and replace soy sauce with tamari for a punchier flavor.

• Beef and Mushroom Pepper Steak: Toss in sliced mushrooms for an earthy undertone.

• Low-Carb/Keto Option: Serve over cauliflower rice and reduce or omit the brown sugar.

• Gluten-Free Version: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and ensure cornstarch is certified gluten-free.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Crockpot Pepper Steak stores beautifully, which makes it an excellent choice for meal prepping or saving leftovers.

Storage:

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

• Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Make sure to let it cool fully before sealing in freezer-safe bags or containers.

Reheating:

• Reheat gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat.

• You can also microwave individual portions, adding a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture.

• If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before warming.

Health Considerations

While Crockpot Pepper Steak is full of wholesome ingredients, you can make it even healthier by:

• Choosing lean cuts of beef

• Reducing sodium with low-sodium soy sauce

• Using natural sweeteners or skipping added sugar

• Loading up on veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or snap peas

If you’re watching carbs or sugar, remember to adjust the sauce and serving side accordingly. The versatility of this dish makes it easy to adapt without losing any of its comforting, delicious charm.

Conclusion

Crockpot Pepper Steak is a modern twist on a timeless dish, a perfect fusion of convenience, flavor, and nutrition. With just a few everyday ingredients and minimal prep, you can enjoy a satisfying, restaurant-worthy meal right at home. It’s adaptable to your taste, diet, and schedule, which makes it a go-to for both busy weeknights and leisurely weekend meals.

Whether you’re new to slow cooking or a seasoned crockpot pro, this dish is bound to become one of your favorites. Rich, tender, and incredibly comforting, it delivers that special kind of home-cooked goodness we all crave. Serve it over fluffy rice, garnish with green onions, and enjoy the reward of a day’s slow-cooked perfection.