Slow-Cooked Pepper Steak
Slow-Cooked Pepper Steak offers tender beef strips infused with savory soy sauce, aromatic garlic, and zesty ginger, complemented by sweet tomatoes and green peppers. Perfect for a hearty, flavorful meal, it’s ideal for family dinners or gatherings, served over noodles or rice for a satisfying comfort food experience.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 to 2 lb. beef round steak ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. cooking oil ⓘ
- 1/4 c. soy sauce ⓘ
- 1 c. chopped onion ⓘ
- 1 garlic clove minced ⓘ
- 1 tsp. sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. ground ginger ⓘ
- 4 tomatoes cut into eighths or 1 (16 oz.) can tomatoes with liquid cut up ⓘ
- 2 large green peppers cut into strips ⓘ
- 1/2 c. cold water ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch ⓘ
- cooked noodles or rice ⓘ
Instructions
- Cut beef into 3 x 1-inch strips and brown in oil in a skillet.
- Transfer the browned beef to a slow cooker.
- Combine soy sauce, chopped onion, minced garlic, sugar, salt, pepper, and ground ginger; pour over beef in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours until the meat is tender.
- Add cut tomatoes and green peppers; cook on low for an additional hour.
- In a small bowl, mix cold water and cornstarch to make a paste.
- Stir the cornstarch mixture into the liquid in the slow cooker.
- Cook on high until the sauce thickens.
- Serve over cooked noodles or rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For a flavor boost, consider adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a tablespoon of red wine vinegar to the sauce mixture. If you prefer a spicier dish, include some chopped jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes. You can substitute beef round steak with flank steak or even chicken for a different twist on this recipe. Serve it with a side of steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the slow-cooked pepper steak over a bed of cooked noodles or rice for a hearty meal. It pairs beautifully with a side of steamed broccoli or a fresh garden salad. For a complete dinner, consider serving it alongside some crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. This dish is also great for meal prep and can be easily reheated throughout the week.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave until heated through. You can add a little water to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much while stored.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Slow-Cooked Pepper Steak contains roughly 355 calories, with 9g protein, 74g carbohydrates, and 2g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (49% of the Daily Value) and iron (23% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1305mg per serving (57% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute the beef round steak with flank steak, chicken, or even pork. Adjust the cooking time accordingly, as different meats may require varying lengths of time to become tender in the slow cooker.
What can I do if I don't have cornstarch?
If you don't have cornstarch, you can use all-purpose flour as a thickening agent instead. Mix 1 tablespoon of flour with cold water to make a paste and add it to the sauce in the same way. Just be sure to cook it a bit longer to eliminate any raw flour taste.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Absolutely! Allow the pepper steak to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then warm on the stove or in the microwave.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).