Introduction:
Slow cooker pepper steak is a flavorful and tender dish that combines strips of beef with bell peppers and onions in a savory sauce. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for busy days when you want a hearty and comforting meal without a lot of fuss. By using a slow cooker, you can let the ingredients simmer and meld together, resulting in tender beef and vegetables infused with rich flavors. Serve this delicious pepper steak over rice or noodles for a satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
Origin and Cultural Significance:
Slow cooker pepper steak is a popular dish in American cuisine, drawing inspiration from Chinese stir-fry dishes like pepper steak or beef and peppers. It offers a convenient and hands-off approach to cooking, allowing busy home cooks to enjoy the flavors of their favorite restaurant dishes with minimal effort. While not traditional Chinese cuisine, slow cooker pepper steak has become a beloved comfort food in many households across the United States.
Ingredients Quantity:
- Beef sirloin, thinly sliced: 2 lbs (about 900g)
- Bell peppers (red, green, or yellow), sliced: 2
- Onion, sliced: 1 large
- Garlic cloves, minced: 3
- Beef broth: 1 cup (240ml)
- Soy sauce: 1/4 cup (60ml)
- Brown sugar: 2 tablespoons
- Cornstarch: 2 tablespoons
- Ginger, grated or minced: 1 tablespoon
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
- Black pepper, freshly ground: 1/2 teaspoon
- Sesame oil: 1 teaspoon
- Cooked rice or noodles: for serving
- Green onions, chopped: for garnish
Optional Additions:
- Sliced mushrooms for extra flavor and texture
- Crushed red pepper flakes for added heat
- Snow peas or snap peas for a pop of color
Instructions:
- Preparing the Beef and Vegetables:
- Place the thinly sliced beef, sliced bell peppers, sliced onion, and minced garlic in the slow cooker.
- Making the Sauce:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, grated ginger, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Pour the sauce over the beef and vegetables in the slow cooker. Add the sesame oil and stir to coat everything evenly.
- Cooking in the Slow Cooker:
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked to your desired level of tenderness.
- Thickening the Sauce (Optional):
- If desired, you can thicken the sauce before serving. To do this, mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with equal parts water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking, then continue cooking until the sauce has thickened.
- Garnishing and Serving:
- Once the pepper steak is cooked to perfection, serve it hot over cooked rice or noodles.
- Garnish with chopped green onions for a pop of color and freshness.
Tips for Success:
- For the best texture, slice the beef thinly against the grain.
- Use a variety of bell peppers for a colorful and flavorful dish.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste preferences by adding more soy sauce for saltiness or brown sugar for sweetness.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add a cornstarch slurry during the last 30 minutes of cooking to help thicken the sauce.
- Leftover slow cooker pepper steak can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
Conclusion:
Slow cooker pepper steak is a delicious and convenient dish that is perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. With tender beef, flavorful bell peppers, and a savory sauce, it’s sure to become a favorite in your meal rotation. Enjoy the convenience of slow cooker cooking and the rich flavors of this comforting pepper steak dish served over rice or noodles.
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