Craving the rich, savory flavors of your favorite Chinese takeout but want the convenience of a homemade meal? Look no further! This incredible Crock Pot Pepper Steak recipe brings that beloved restaurant classic right to your dinner table. Imagine succulent strips of beef, slow-cooked to absolute perfection, mingling with vibrant, crisp bell peppers and sweet onions, all enveloped in an irresistible, robust sauce that’s bursting with umami. It’s a dish designed to delight the entire family, offering both incredible taste and effortless preparation.
The true magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity. By utilizing your slow cooker, you can achieve wonderfully tender results with minimal effort. Simply combine your ingredients, set it, and let the slow cooker do all the hard work, transforming even more affordable cuts of beef into melt-in-your-mouth goodness. This means you can enjoy a deeply flavorful and satisfying meal without being tethered to the kitchen for hours. It’s the ultimate solution for busy weeknights when you desire something comforting, nutritious, and incredibly tasty.
This easy Slow Cooker Pepper Steak recipe is destined to become a staple in your home, much like it has in mine. Crafted with fresh, yet incredibly straightforward ingredients, this beloved takeout dish is remarkably simple to recreate at home, thanks to the undeniable power of everyone’s favorite countertop appliance: the slow cooker. The slow cooking process works wonders, gently transforming even tougher, more economical cuts of beef into unbelievably tender, flavorful strips. These juicy beef pieces are then perfectly paired with brightly colored, crisp bell peppers and sweet, caramelized onions, all coated in a rich, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce that truly defines this dish.
The beauty of this meal is not just in its flavor, but also its minimal fuss. All you need to do is prepare your ingredients, set your slow cooker to “low and slow,” and let it work its magic. Once cooked, simply serve this delightful pepper steak over a bed of fluffy white rice (for ultimate convenience, I often prepare my rice in the Instant Pot), and finish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions for an added touch of freshness and visual appeal. Just like that, you’ll have a super flavorful dinner that was not only effortless to prepare but also deeply satisfying. It’s even hearty enough to enjoy on its own for a lighter, carb-conscious option. Prepare yourself for rave reviews!
Why You’ll Adore This Slow Cooker Pepper Steak
This recipe isn’t just another weeknight meal; it’s a culinary experience that combines convenience, flavor, and versatility. Here’s why this Crock Pot Pepper Steak will quickly earn a permanent spot in your recipe rotation:
- Wholesome and Fresh Ingredients: Unlike many takeout options, this homemade version is crafted with simple, fresh, and healthy ingredients that you can easily find at any grocery store. It’s the perfect guilt-free weeknight dinner that doesn’t compromise on taste.
- Master a Takeout Favorite at Home: Recreate the authentic taste of Chinese Pepper Steak in your own kitchen. This recipe delivers that familiar, comforting flavor profile, allowing you to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal without leaving your home. It’s a fantastic way to save money and ensure quality.
- Effortless Preparation: Forget complicated cooking techniques. This dish relies on straightforward, easy-to-follow steps and readily available ingredients. The slow cooker does most of the heavy lifting, making it perfect for busy individuals or anyone new to cooking.
- Incredibly Versatile for Dietary Needs: This isn’t a one-size-fits-all meal; it’s wonderfully adaptable! Easily modify it to suit various dietary preferences. Whether you need a gluten-free option, a low-carb alternative, or other adjustments, this recipe can be customized to fit your lifestyle, ensuring everyone at the table can enjoy it.
- Tender & Flavorful Every Time: The slow cooking method is unparalleled for creating incredibly tender beef. Even tougher, more budget-friendly cuts are transformed into melt-in-your-mouth strips, infused with the rich, savory sauce.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Pepper Steak
Crafting the perfect Crock Pot Pepper Steak begins with selecting quality ingredients. This recipe thoughtfully balances fresh produce with pantry staples to create a harmonious and deeply satisfying flavor profile. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to bring this delicious dish to life:
- Steak (or Beef): The slow cooker is a marvel for tenderizing beef, making it an ideal appliance for using cuts that might otherwise be tough. For this slow cooker beef recipe, consider these excellent choices:
- Sirloin Steak: A lean cut that becomes incredibly tender when slow-cooked.
- Chuck Roast or Steak: Known for its rich flavor and marbling, chuck becomes exceptionally tender and shreddable.
- Round Steak (Inside or Outside): Another lean cut that benefits greatly from low and slow cooking, resulting in a wonderfully soft texture.
- Stew Meat: Pre-cut stew meat works perfectly; just ensure it’s sliced into smaller, more uniform pieces for even cooking.
- Bell Peppers: These add vibrant color, a subtle sweetness, and a delightful crisp-tender texture to the dish. Don’t hesitate to use your favorite colors! I typically opt for a mix of red and yellow peppers for their sweetness, but green peppers will add a slightly more robust, earthy flavor.
- Black Pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper offers the most potent flavor, delivering a delightful warmth and gentle spice. However, if pre-ground pepper is what you have, it will certainly do the trick.
- Onions: Sliced or chopped onions caramelize beautifully during the slow cooking process, adding a foundational layer of savory sweetness and depth to the overall flavor profile. They are an indispensable partner to the bell peppers.
- Garlic: A quintessential flavor enhancer in countless dishes, garlic adds an aromatic, pungent kick. Freshly minced garlic is always superior for its vibrant taste, but if fresh isn’t available, a good quality garlic powder (added to the sauce) can be a convenient substitute.
Crafting the Irresistible Sauce
The sauce is truly the heart and soul of this homemade pepper steak, infusing every strip of beef and every piece of vegetable with its rich, savory, and slightly sweet notes. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating this perfectly balanced concoction:
- Beef Broth: Provides the liquid base for the sauce and a fundamental beefy flavor. You’ll need about 1 cup. If you don’t have liquid beef stock on hand, dissolving beef bouillon cubes or granules in hot water is a perfectly acceptable and convenient alternative.
- Rotel (or Fire-Roasted Tomatoes): This ingredient adds a fantastic layer of subtle heat and tang. Rotel, a blend of diced tomatoes and green chilies, brings a unique zesty dimension. If Rotel isn’t available, you can easily create your own homemade Rotel substitute, or opt for a can of fire-roasted tomatoes for a smoky depth, or even regular diced tomatoes if you prefer no heat.
- Hoisin Sauce: A cornerstone of many Chinese dishes, hoisin sauce contributes a wonderful balance of sweet, salty, and savory umami notes, essential for that authentic takeout flavor. If you’re struggling to find it, or prefer an alternative, a combination of soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free) with a touch of brown sugar and a cornstarch slurry can approximate its unique qualities.
- Toasted Sesame Oil: This is truly a “secret ingredient” that adds an enormous amount of flavor. Its distinctive nutty, aromatic profile instantly elevates the entire dish, giving it that unmistakable Asian-inspired essence. Don’t skip it!
- Cornstarch: Essential for thickening the sauce to that perfect glossy consistency that coats the beef and peppers so beautifully. If you prefer, arrowroot starch is an excellent gluten-free alternative that performs similarly.
- Ginger: Ground ginger is used in this recipe for its ease and convenience, providing a warm, slightly spicy undertone. For an even more vibrant and fresh flavor, consider using freshly minced ginger. It makes a noticeable difference!
Optional Garnishes to Elevate Your Meal
While this Crock Pot Pepper Steak is incredibly flavorful on its own, a few simple garnishes can enhance both its visual appeal and taste:
- Chopped Green Onions: Add a fresh, mild oniony bite and a beautiful pop of green.
- Sesame Seeds: Toasted sesame seeds provide a delightful crunch and nutty aroma.
- Red Pepper Flakes: For those who love a bit more heat, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes offers an extra kick.
For a comprehensive list of all ingredients and their exact quantities, please refer to the detailed recipe card below.
Crafting Your Delicious Crock Pot Pepper Steak: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making this beef and peppers dish in your slow cooker is wonderfully straightforward, promising incredibly tender beef and a flavor-packed sauce. While the recipe offers an optional browning step to boost flavor, even the simplest “dump and go” method yields fantastic results. Choose the path that best fits your schedule and culinary preferences!
Optional Step: Enhancing Flavor by Browning Onions and Beef
This initial step, though optional, truly elevates the depth of flavor in your Crock Pot Pepper Steak. Sautéing the aromatics and searing the beef creates complex flavors through the Maillard reaction, which simply can’t be achieved by just slow cooking. It takes a little extra time but is definitely worth the small effort!
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, warm one tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add your chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté them for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften, become translucent, and begin to develop a light golden-brown color. This step builds a foundational layer of aromatic flavor.
- Sear the Beef: Remove the sautéed onions and garlic from the skillet and set them aside. Sprinkle both sides of your steak with black pepper (and salt, if desired). Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the hot skillet over high heat. Sear the steak for approximately one minute per side until a beautiful brown crust forms. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, adding more olive oil if needed to ensure a good sear.
- Slice the Beef: Once browned, transfer the steak to a cutting board. Cut the beef across the grain into uniform strips, about ¼ inch thick and 1½ to 2 inches long. Slicing after browning is often easier and helps maintain more moisture in the meat.
- Load the Slow Cooker: Add the sautéed onions, garlic, and the sliced, browned steak to the insert of your crock pot. Distribute them evenly.
Top tip for busy cooks: To save precious time, consider purchasing pre-cut beef stir-fry strips from your grocery store. This skips the slicing step entirely!
Crafting and Adding the Flavorful Sauce
The sauce is what brings this slow cooker pepper steak together, infusing every bite with its signature savory, tangy, and slightly sweet notes. This step is incredibly simple but crucial for the dish’s success.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small mixing bowl, vigorously whisk together the beef broth, Rotel (or fire-roasted tomatoes), toasted sesame oil, hoisin sauce, ground ginger, and cornstarch. Whisk until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the cornstarch has dissolved, ensuring a smooth sauce without lumps. This creates the thickened, flavorful base.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the beef and onions in the slow cooker. Give it a gentle stir to ensure everything is well coated. Secure the lid tightly. Cook on the LOW setting for 5-6 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours, or until the beef is incredibly tender and easily pierced with a fork.
Hint for a deeper umami: A small splash of Worcestershire sauce (start with ½ teaspoon) added to the sauce mixture can introduce an extra layer of savory depth and complexity. Taste and adjust after cooking if needed.
Incorporating the Crisp Bell Peppers
Adding the bell peppers towards the end of the cooking cycle is key to ensuring they maintain their vibrant color and a pleasant crisp-tender texture, rather than becoming overly soft or mushy.
- Add the Peppers: Introduce the chopped bell peppers to the slow cooker when there are about 1 to 2 hours remaining in the cooking time. If cooking on the LOW setting, add them during the last 2 hours. If cooking on HIGH, add them during the final hour. This timing ensures they become tender but still retain a slight bite. Gently stir them into the sauce and beef, then replace the lid.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the beef is fork-tender and thoroughly cooked, and the peppers are perfectly tender-crisp, your Crock Pot Pepper Steak is ready to be savored! Give everything a final stir. Ladle generous portions over hot, steamy white rice, and don’t forget to garnish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and fresh chopped green onions (if using) for an extra burst of flavor and visual appeal.
Creative Serving Suggestions for Your Pepper Steak
This versatile Slow Cooker Pepper Steak pairs beautifully with a variety of sides, allowing you to customize your meal based on preference or dietary needs. Here are some fantastic serving ideas:
- Cooked Rice: The classic choice! White or brown rice is perfect for soaking up the delicious savory sauce.
- Egg Noodles: For a heartier, more comforting meal, serve the pepper steak over a bed of tender egg noodles.
- Cauliflower Rice: An excellent low-carb, grain-free option that still provides a great base for the sauce.
- “In a Bowl” Style: Enjoy it without any grains or noodles for a light, protein-packed meal, highlighting the tender beef and vegetables.
- Over a Bed of Shredded Lettuce: For a refreshingly crisp and low-carb option, serve the warm pepper steak over fresh shredded lettuce.
- With Sautéed Cabbage: A flavorful and nutritious vegetable side that complements the richness of the beef and sauce.
- Quinoa: A protein-rich, gluten-free grain that offers a slightly nutty flavor.
- Steamed Broccoli or Asparagus: Simple, healthy green vegetables that add freshness and color.
The “Dump and Go” Method: Simplified Pepper Steak
For those days when every minute counts, this streamlined “dump and go” approach ensures you still get to enjoy a delicious Crock Pot Pepper Steak with even less active preparation time. Skip the browning and simply let the slow cooker handle everything!
- Prepare Beef: Sprinkle both sides of the beef with pepper, then cut it into ¼” thick slices.
- Add to Slow Cooker: Place the chopped onion, minced garlic, and sliced beef directly into the slow cooker insert.
- Whisk Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients (beef broth, Rotel, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, ginger). Whisk thoroughly.
- Pour and Cook: Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the meat and onions in the slow cooker. Cover with the lid. Cook on LOW for 5-6 hours, or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
- Integrate Peppers: Add the chopped bell peppers during the last 1-2 hours of cooking, stirring them into the mixture.
- Serve: Once cooked through and tender, garnish and serve your delightful pepper steak as desired.
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating Your Pepper Steak
This Slow Cooker Pepper Steak is not only fantastic fresh, but it also makes for wonderful leftovers, perfect for meal prepping or enjoying later. Proper storage ensures you can savor its deliciousness for days or even months.
Storing Leftovers: Once the pepper steak has cooled to room temperature, transfer any remaining portions to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making it even more delicious the next day!
Freezing Leftovers: For longer storage, this dish freezes beautifully. Allow the cooked steak and peppers to cool completely. Transfer them to a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating:
- Microwave: For a quick reheat, place a single serving in a microwave-safe dish. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until thoroughly warmed through.
- Stovetop: For larger quantities or to maintain texture, transfer the pepper steak to a saucepan or skillet. Warm over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Add a splash of beef broth or water if the sauce appears too thick.
Preparing as a Convenient Freezer Meal
Take your meal prep to the next level by transforming this Crock Pot Pepper Steak into a convenient freezer meal. This method allows you to have a delicious dinner ready to go on short notice, perfect for busy weeks.
- Combine Ingredients: In a gallon-sized freezer bag (or an equivalent freezer-safe container), layer the chopped bell peppers, onion, minced garlic, and sliced steak.
- Add Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients (beef broth, Rotel, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and ginger) until well combined. Pour this sauce mixture over the meat and vegetables in the freezer bag.
- Seal and Label: Remove any excess air from the bag before sealing it tightly. Label the bag clearly with the recipe name, date, and cooking instructions.
- Freeze: Place the sealed bag flat in your freezer. It can be stored for up to 3 months, offering incredible flexibility for future meals.
- Thaw and Cook: When you’re ready to cook, thaw the freezer meal completely in the refrigerator (preferably overnight). Once thawed, transfer the entire contents to your slow cooker and cook on the “LOW” setting for 5-6 hours, or on “HIGH” for 3-4 hours, or until the beef is tender.
- Important Note on Peppers: Be aware that freezing and then slow-cooking the bell peppers from raw will result in a softer texture than when they are added fresh during the last hour of cooking. They will still taste delicious, but they might lose some of their crispness. If preserving the crisp-tender texture of the peppers is a priority for you, consider freezing only the beef, onions, garlic, and sauce. Then, add fresh bell peppers during the final 1-2 hours of cooking on the day you prepare the meal.
Dietary Adaptations for Everyone
One of the fantastic aspects of this Crock Pot Pepper Steak is its flexibility. With a few simple swaps, you can easily adjust it to fit various dietary needs without sacrificing flavor.
- Gluten-Free: The primary ingredient to watch for when making this recipe gluten-free is hoisin sauce, as many commercial brands contain wheat. To ensure your dish is entirely gluten-free:
- Seek out a certified gluten-free hoisin sauce. Many excellent options are available on the market; always check the label carefully.
- Alternatively, substitute the hoisin sauce with gluten-free tamari. You might want to add a teaspoon of brown sugar or honey to replicate the sweetness of hoisin.
- Ensure your beef broth is also gluten-free.
- Serve with naturally gluten-free white rice or cauliflower rice.
- Low Carb or Keto: Enjoy a delicious, carb-conscious version of pepper steak with these modifications:
- Replace the regular hoisin sauce with a homemade keto hoisin sauce, which typically uses sweeteners like erythritol and ingredients like soy sauce, vinegar, and spices.
- Alternatively, use tamari or coconut aminos in place of hoisin sauce, and adjust seasonings to taste.
- For thickening the sauce, ensure you use a keto-friendly thickener like xanthan gum (use sparingly, as a little goes a long way) or arrowroot starch (which is lower carb than cornstarch but still contains some carbs).
- Serve the pepper steak over cauliflower rice, a bed of fresh lettuce, or sautéed cabbage instead of traditional rice or noodles.
Flavorful Variations and Smart Substitutions
Feel free to experiment with this Crock Pot Pepper Steak recipe to suit your taste preferences or to use ingredients you have on hand. Here are some popular variations and substitutions:
- Using Stew Meat: If you’re using pre-cut stew meat, which can sometimes be thicker, ensure you cut it into smaller, more uniform pieces, ideally about ¼ inch thick at most. This allows for more even cooking and helps the meat become incredibly tender in the slow cooker.
- With Stewed Tomatoes or Different Chilies: If Rotel (canned tomatoes with green chilies) isn’t your preference or is unavailable, you have several options:
- Substitute with an equal amount of canned stewed tomatoes for a milder, richer tomato flavor.
- Alternatively, use a can of fire-roasted tomatoes for a smoky depth without much heat.
- If you still want to incorporate some heat, simply add a small can of diced green chilies separately to your stewed or fire-roasted tomatoes.
- Adding Worcestershire Sauce: For an extra layer of complex, savory flavor and a deeper umami punch, some cooks enjoy adding a dash of Worcestershire sauce to the sauce mixture. Be mindful, as a little goes a long way, and the sauce is already rich in flavor. Start with about half a teaspoon and adjust after tasting once the dish is cooked, if necessary.
- Using Beef Bouillon: While beef broth is generally preferred for its more rounded flavor, beef bouillon cubes or granules dissolved in hot water make a perfectly acceptable and convenient substitute. Just be mindful of the sodium content and adjust any added salt accordingly. One cube typically dissolves in 1 cup of hot water.
- Spicier Kick: For those who love heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes with the sauce ingredients, or include a finely diced jalapeño pepper along with the bell peppers.
- Extra Veggies: Feel free to toss in other quick-cooking vegetables like snap peas, mushrooms, or water chestnuts during the last hour of cooking for added texture and nutrition.
Common Questions About Slow Cooker Pepper Steak
While traditionally hoisin sauce can be gluten-free, many commercial varieties include wheat as an ingredient. If you require a gluten-free dish, it’s crucial to carefully check the labels for a certified gluten-free claim or to ensure that no wheat-containing ingredients are listed. Alternatively, you can use tamari (a gluten-free soy sauce alternative) or make your own gluten-free hoisin sauce.
If hoisin sauce isn’t available, you can achieve a similar flavor profile using a combination of other ingredients. A good substitute is regular soy sauce (or gluten-free tamari) mixed with a little brown sugar (or honey) and a small amount of cornstarch slurry to mimic hoisin’s characteristic sweetness and thick texture. You can also find recipes online for homemade hoisin sauce, which often uses ingredients like soy sauce, peanut butter, honey, vinegar, and garlic.
It is generally not recommended to put frozen raw meat directly into a slow cooker, as it can keep the meat in the “danger zone” temperature for too long, risking bacterial growth. Always thaw your beef completely in the refrigerator before adding it to the slow cooker for this recipe.
The key to crisp-tender bell peppers is to add them towards the end of the cooking time. For this recipe, add the chopped bell peppers during the last 1-2 hours of cooking, depending on whether you’re using the low or high setting. This brief cooking time allows them to soften just enough while retaining their vibrant color and a pleasant bite.
Explore More Easy Dinner Recipes:
If you loved the simplicity and flavor of this Slow Cooker Pepper Steak, you’ll definitely want to try these other incredibly easy and delicious dinner ideas:
- Inside Out Egg Roll (in a Bowl) – All the flavors of an egg roll, deconstructed and made simple!
- Sheet Pan Smoked Sausage and Peppers – A vibrant and hearty meal that cooks all on one pan.
- Instant Pot Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls – Enjoy the classic comfort of cabbage rolls without the fuss, made quickly in your Instant Pot.
- Slow Cooker Swiss Chicken Casserole – A creamy, cheesy, and incredibly easy chicken casserole that cooks itself.
- Sheet Pan Cilantro Lime Salmon – Fresh, flavorful salmon cooked to perfection on a single sheet pan.
If you truly enjoyed making and eating this Slow Cooker Pepper Steak recipe, please consider leaving a 5-star review in the recipe card below or sharing your feedback in the comments section! Your ratings and comments help others discover and love this recipe too. You can also tag me on Instagram @dashfordinner to show off your delicious creation. We love seeing what you cook!
Crock Pot Pepper Steak
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Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion quartered and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 3 pounds steak sirloin, flank, or round
- ½ – 1 teaspoon black pepper to taste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 10 ounces Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chiles*) or fire-roasted tomatoes
- ½ cup hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ tablespoon ground ginger or 3 tablespoons fresh minced ginger
- 4 bell peppers cored and cut into large chunks
For Garnish (optional)
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
For Serving (optional)
- Cooked white rice
Instructions
Optional: browning the meat and onions**
- In a large skillet, heat one tablespoon of olive oil on medium-high heat.
- Add the chopped onions and minced garlic and saute for 3-5 minutes until the onions start to brown and become fragrant.
- Transfer the sautéed onions and garlic to your slow cooker or a separate plate. Then, generously sprinkle each side of the steak with black pepper and salt to taste.
- In the same skillet used for the onions, heat another tablespoon of olive oil over high heat. Brown the steak for about a minute on each side to create a nice crust. Do this in batches as needed to avoid overcrowding, adding additional olive oil if necessary.
- Cut the browned steak into slices approximately ¼” thick and 1.5-2” long***.
Adding to the Slow Cooker
- Transfer the sautéed onions, garlic, and sliced steak to the slow cooker insert.
- In a medium mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the beef stock, diced tomatoes and chilies (Rotel), Hoisin sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and ground ginger until smooth. Pour this flavorful mixture evenly over the beef and onions in the slow cooker.
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook the beef on the LOW setting for 5-6 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours, until the beef is fully cooked through and wonderfully tender.
- Add the chopped bell peppers to the slow cooker when there is approximately 2 hours remaining if cooking on low, or about 1 hour remaining if cooking on high. This helps them retain a pleasant crisp-tender texture.
- Serve your delicious Crock Pot Pepper Steak warm over fluffy white rice and garnish generously with sesame seeds and sliced green onions (if desired). Enjoy!
Notes
**Steps 1-5 (the browning steps) are entirely optional. While searing the beef and sautéing the garlic and onions prior to slow cooking will significantly enhance the depth of flavor in the final dish (due to the Maillard reaction), it is not strictly crucial for success. If you are short on time or prefer a truly hands-off approach, you can simply add the raw beef strips, chopped onions, and minced garlic directly to the slow cooker insert, then proceed with the rest of the recipe as instructed. The dish will still be incredibly tasty and satisfying!
***Slicing the Steak: While you can certainly cut the raw steak into slices before browning, I often find it easier and quicker to sear each side of the steak as a whole piece and then slice it into uniform strips afterward. This method can also help the meat retain more of its juices.
Storing Leftovers: Any leftover Crock Pot Pepper Steak can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for approximately 3 days. For longer storage, transfer cooled leftovers to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2-3 months. For best results, thaw thoroughly in the refrigerator before reheating. Note: when freezing and reheating, the bell peppers may become softer in texture, but the flavor will remain excellent. If you prioritize crisp peppers, consider adding them fresh when reheating individual portions.
Additional Tips for Success:
- Feel free to use any color combination of bell peppers you enjoy in this recipe. I typically use a mix of two red and two yellow bell peppers for their sweetness and vibrant color.
- To increase the spice level in this recipe, you can opt for hotter peppers (such as jalapeños or serranos, seeded and diced) in place of, or in addition to, some of the bell peppers. A pinch of red pepper flakes in the sauce also works well.
- For maximum time-saving, purchase pre-cut stir-fry beef from your grocery store. This eliminates the need for slicing the steak yourself.
Nutrition
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