This Crockpot Pepper Steak Recipe is the kind of slow cooker dinner I come back to when I want something hearty without standing over the stove. Tender strips of beef cook in a savory sauce with onions, garlic, tomatoes, soy sauce, Worcestershire, and a little brown sugar, then the bell peppers go in near the end so they keep some texture.
It is simple enough for a weeknight, but the sauce tastes like it has been cooking all day because, well, it has. Serve it over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes and spoon plenty of that tomato-rich gravy over the top.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Pepper Steak
The slow cooker does most of the work, the beef turns tender without much babysitting, and the sauce uses everyday ingredients that build a lot of flavor together. I also like that the peppers are added later instead of cooking for the full six hours. They soften, but they still look and taste like peppers when the dish reaches the table.
If slow cooker dinners are your thing, my 15 Dump-and-Go Crockpot Meals collection has more easy ideas for busy days.
Choosing the Best Beef
Sirloin works especially well here because it becomes tender without completely falling apart. Round steak or flank steak can also work. Whatever cut you use, slice it thinly and cut across the grain. That shortens the muscle fibers and makes each bite noticeably easier to chew.
The recipe card uses 2 pounds of beef, which gives you enough for about six servings once it is combined with the peppers, onions, tomatoes, and sauce.
What Makes the Sauce So Good
The sauce starts with beef broth, low-sodium soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, brown sugar, ginger, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and diced tomatoes. The tomatoes give it body and a little acidity, while the soy and Worcestershire bring the deep savory flavor that makes pepper steak so satisfying.
Brown sugar does not make the dish sweet. It simply rounds out the salty and tomato flavors. Using low-sodium soy sauce is helpful because the sauce concentrates as it cooks.
How to Make Crockpot Pepper Steak
Start with the sliced beef in the slow cooker. Add the onion, garlic, beef broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, ginger, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and undrained diced tomatoes, then stir gently so the beef is coated in the sauce.
Cook on LOW until the beef is tender. The full recipe is written for about 6 1/2 hours of cooking time. Add the sliced bell peppers during the last 45 minutes instead of at the beginning. This keeps them from turning overly soft.
Near the end, the sauce is thickened so it turns from a thin cooking liquid into the glossy gravy you want over rice or noodles. Give it a few minutes after thickening before deciding whether it needs anything else.
Crockpot Pepper Steak Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef sirloin round steak, or flank steak, sliced thin
- 2 tablespoons olive oil optional
- 1 green bell pepper sliced
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper sliced, optional
- 1 large onion sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 ounces, undrained
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- Cooked rice or noodles for serving
Instructions
- Slice the beef into thin strips. For extra flavor, brown the beef in a skillet with olive oil for 2 to 3 minutes per side.
- Add the beef to the crockpot.
- Add onion, garlic, beef broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, ginger, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and diced tomatoes. Stir gently.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the beef is tender.
- Add the sliced bell peppers during the last 45 minutes of cooking.
- Mix cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl until smooth. Stir into the crockpot during the last 20 to 30 minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Serve hot over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes. Garnish if desired.
Tips for Tender Beef and Better Peppers
- Slice the beef thinly. Thick pieces need longer to become tender and can feel tougher.
- Cut against the grain. This makes a bigger difference than most people expect.
- Use LOW when you have time. A longer, gentler cook gives the beef time to soften.
- Add the peppers late. The last 45 minutes is enough time for them to soften without disappearing into the sauce.
- Do not overdo the thickener. Let the sauce cook for a few minutes after thickening. It will continue to tighten as it sits.
What to Serve with Pepper Steak
Steamed white rice is my first choice because it catches every bit of the sauce, but brown rice, egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or even crusty bread work well too. A simple green vegetable on the side is plenty because the pepper steak already brings a lot of flavor to the plate.
For another saucy beef dinner, try my Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles. If you want a baked comfort-food option instead, the Salisbury Steak Casserole with Mashed Potatoes is another hearty choice. You can also browse more Beef Recipes.
Easy Variations
Use sirloin, round steak, or flank steak depending on what you have. Red, green, yellow, or orange bell peppers all work, and using more than one color makes the finished dish look especially good.
If you prefer more heat, increase the red pepper flakes a little. For a milder version, leave them out. You can also serve the pepper steak over cauliflower rice if you want a lighter base without changing the slow cooker recipe itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put the bell peppers in at the beginning?
You can, but they will be very soft by the time the beef is done. Adding them during the last 45 minutes gives the finished pepper steak much better texture and color.
Can I use flank steak?
Yes. Slice flank steak thinly against the grain before it goes into the slow cooker. Round steak and sirloin also work well.
Why is my pepper steak sauce too thin?
Slow cookers hold in a lot of moisture, so the sauce can look thin before the final thickening step. Add the thickener as directed in the recipe card and give the sauce enough time to simmer and tighten before serving.
What is the best way to serve Crockpot Pepper Steak?
Rice is the classic choice because it absorbs the savory tomato gravy, but noodles and mashed potatoes are also excellent with it.
