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Pepper Steak in a Crock Pot Recipe

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  • Author: Maria
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours on High or 6 to 8 hours on Low
  • Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American Chinese

Description

This Pepper Steak recipe is a delicious and hearty slow-cooked dish featuring tender strips of beef sirloin simmered with green bell peppers, onions, and a savory sauce made with soy sauce, stewed tomatoes, and flavorful seasonings. Perfect for an easy and comforting meal, this recipe uses a slow cooker to meld the robust flavors while keeping the beef juicy and tender.


Ingredients

Scale

Beef and Seasonings

  • 2 pounds beef sirloin, cut into 2-inch strips
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 cube beef bouillon
  • 1/4 cup hot water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Vegetables & Sauce

  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 2 large green bell peppers, roughly chopped
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes, with liquid
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt


Instructions

  1. Sear the Beef: Sprinkle the beef sirloin strips evenly with garlic powder. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sear the beef strips for about 5 minutes on each side until browned. This step helps to lock in flavor and develop a rich crust. Transfer the seared beef to the slow cooker.
  2. Prepare the Broth Mixture: In a separate container, dissolve the beef bouillon cube in 1/4 cup of hot water. Stir in the cornstarch until it is fully dissolved, creating a smooth thickening mixture. Pour this over the beef strips in the slow cooker to add richness and help thicken the sauce as it cooks.
  3. Add Vegetables and Seasonings: Stir in the chopped onion, roughly chopped green bell peppers, stewed tomatoes with their liquid, soy sauce, white sugar, and salt. Mix everything well to combine all the flavors evenly.
  4. Slow Cook the Pepper Steak: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook the mixture on High for 3 to 4 hours or on Low for 6 to 8 hours. The longer cooking time on Low will result in especially tender beef. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the beef to become tender and flavorful.
  5. Serve: Once the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened, serve the pepper steak hot over a bed of steamed rice or cooked noodles for a satisfying and complete meal.

Notes

  • Searing the beef before slow cooking enhances the flavor and texture of the final dish.
  • You can substitute beef sirloin with flank steak or skirt steak if preferred, but adjust cooking times as needed.
  • For thicker sauce, stir cornstarch dissolved in water into the slow cooker about 30 minutes before serving.
  • This recipe freezes well; portion and freeze leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
  • Adjust salt and soy sauce amounts if you prefer a less salty dish or want to use low-sodium soy sauce.