Crockpot Pepper Steak 🥩🫑
This Crockpot Pepper Steak is tender, saucy, savory, and packed with juicy strips of beef, colorful bell peppers, onions, and a rich soy-based gravy. It’s an easy slow cooker dinner that tastes like comfort food with very little hands-on work.
Serve it over white rice, mashed potatoes, noodles, or cauliflower rice for a simple family meal.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5–7 hours
Total Time: About 5 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy slow cooker dinner
- Tender beef
- Rich savory sauce
- Simple ingredients
- Great for meal prep
- Family-friendly
- Delicious over rice
- Easy to customize
Ingredients
For the Pepper Steak
- 2 pounds sirloin steak or flank steak, thinly sliced
- 1 large green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 large red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained, optional
For the Sauce
- 1½ cups low-sodium beef broth
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For Thickening
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons cold water
Optional Garnish
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped parsley
- Crushed red pepper flakes
How to Make Crockpot Pepper Steak
Step 1: Slice the Beef
Slice the steak into thin strips against the grain.
For easier slicing, place the beef in the freezer for about 20–30 minutes first.
Slightly firm beef is much easier to cut thinly.
Step 2: Add Beef to the Slow Cooker
Place the sliced beef in the bottom of the crockpot.
Add the sliced onion and minced garlic.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together:
- Beef broth
- Soy sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- Brown sugar
- Ginger
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Black pepper
Pour the mixture over the beef.
Step 4: Add Tomatoes
If using diced tomatoes, pour them into the crockpot with their juices.
Stir gently.
Step 5: Slow Cook
Cover and cook on:
LOW for 5–7 hours
or
HIGH for 3–4 hours
Cook until the beef is tender.
Step 6: Add the Bell Peppers
For peppers that still have some texture, add them during the final 45–60 minutes of cooking.
If you prefer very soft peppers, add them at the beginning.
Step 7: Thicken the Sauce
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and cold water until smooth.
Stir the slurry into the crockpot.
Cover and cook on HIGH for another 15–20 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
Step 8: Serve
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Serve hot over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.
The Secret to Tender Pepper Steak
The biggest secret is slicing the beef against the grain.
This shortens the muscle fibers and makes each bite more tender.
Also avoid cooking lean steak longer than necessary. Sirloin usually becomes tender faster than tougher cuts.
Best Beef for Crockpot Pepper Steak
Sirloin Steak
Tender, flavorful, and one of the easiest options.
Flank Steak
Works very well when thinly sliced against the grain.
Round Steak
More budget-friendly and works well with slow cooking.
Chuck Roast
Can also be used, but it may need a longer cooking time.
Should You Brown the Beef First?
You don’t have to.
For an easy dump-and-go recipe, add the beef directly to the crockpot.
However, browning the beef first adds extra flavor.
To brown it, heat a little oil in a skillet and quickly sear the steak strips for about 1–2 minutes per side before transferring them to the slow cooker.
How to Keep Bell Peppers from Getting Mushy
If you like slightly crisp peppers, don’t add them at the beginning.
Add them during the last 45 minutes to 1 hour.
For softer, old-fashioned pepper steak, add them earlier.
Crockpot Pepper Steak with Tomatoes
Diced tomatoes add a slightly sweeter, richer sauce.
You can also use:
- Crushed tomatoes
- Tomato sauce
- Fresh diced tomatoes
For a less tomato-forward version, simply leave them out.
Crockpot Pepper Steak with Gravy
For a thicker, gravy-like sauce, increase the cornstarch to:
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 4 tablespoons cold water
Stir the mixture into the crockpot near the end.
Let it cook until thickened.
Sweet Pepper Steak
For a slightly sweeter sauce, add:
- 2–3 tablespoons brown sugar
This gives it a sweet-savory flavor similar to some takeout-style pepper steak recipes.
Spicy Pepper Steak 🌶️
Add:
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 sliced jalapeño
- 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili sauce
Start with a small amount and adjust to taste.
Garlic Pepper Steak
For stronger garlic flavor, increase to 5–6 cloves garlic.
You can also stir in a teaspoon of garlic butter just before serving.
Pepper Steak with Mushrooms
Add 8 ounces sliced mushrooms during the last 1–2 hours of cooking.
Mushrooms absorb the savory sauce and make the meal even heartier.
What to Serve with Crockpot Pepper Steak
This pepper steak is especially good with:
- White rice
- Brown rice
- Egg noodles
- Mashed potatoes
- Fried rice
- Cauliflower rice
- Steamed broccoli
- Green beans
White rice is the classic choice because it soaks up the sauce.
Slow Cooker Pepper Steak and Rice
For best results, cook the rice separately.
Adding raw rice directly to the crockpot can make it absorb too much liquid and become overly soft.
Spoon the finished pepper steak and sauce over freshly cooked rice.
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can prepare everything the night before.
Slice the beef and vegetables.
Mix the sauce separately.
Refrigerate everything.
In the morning, transfer to the slow cooker and cook.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for approximately 3–4 days.
Keep the rice separate when possible.
How to Reheat
Stovetop
Heat gently in a saucepan or skillet over medium-low heat.
Add a splash of beef broth if the sauce becomes too thick.
Microwave
Heat individual portions in short intervals, stirring between each interval.
Can You Freeze Crockpot Pepper Steak?
Yes.
Cool completely and transfer to freezer-safe containers.
Freeze for up to approximately 2–3 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently.
The peppers may become softer after freezing, but the flavor will still be good.
Frequently Asked Questions
What steak is best for pepper steak?
Sirloin and flank steak are excellent choices.
Can I use round steak?
Yes.
Do I need to brown the beef first?
No, but browning adds extra flavor.
When should I add the peppers?
Add them during the last 45–60 minutes if you want them to retain some texture.
Can I add tomatoes?
Yes.
Can I leave the tomatoes out?
Absolutely.
Why is my sauce too thin?
Add a cornstarch slurry near the end.
Can I make the sauce thicker?
Yes. Use a little more cornstarch.
Can I add mushrooms?
Definitely.
Can I make it spicy?
Yes. Add crushed red pepper, jalapeños, or chili sauce.
Can I use frozen bell peppers?
Yes, but add them later because they soften quickly.
Can I cook it on HIGH?
Yes, about 3–4 hours.
How long does it keep?
Approximately 3–4 days refrigerated.
Can I freeze it?
Yes, for about 2–3 months.
Pro Tips
Use low-sodium soy sauce and low-sodium beef broth so the finished dish doesn’t become overly salty.
Slice the steak thinly against the grain for the best texture.
Add the peppers later if you want them colorful and slightly firm.
For an extra-rich finish, spoon plenty of the thickened sauce over hot white rice and garnish with green onions.
Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Pepper Steak is an easy, comforting slow cooker meal with tender beef, colorful peppers, onions, and a savory sauce that’s perfect for spooning over rice.
It’s simple enough for a busy weeknight but hearty enough for a cozy family dinner, and leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day.