Crockpot Pepper Steak – Easy, Delicious Slow Cooker Dinner

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Some days, dinner just needs to cook itself—and that’s how I stumbled into this Crockpot Pepper Steak magic. It started as a way to use up a few bell peppers and turned into a weeknight staple that’s both soul-soothing and full of bold, savory flavor. It’s one of those meals where the aroma alone will have everyone hovering near the kitchen.

In This Guide

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Pepper Steak

This Crockpot Pepper Steak is the kind of dinner that checks all the boxes—tender strips of beef, vibrant bell peppers, and a rich, slightly sweet sauce that soaks perfectly into whatever you serve it with. It’s deeply comforting, yet light enough to enjoy even on warmer nights.

The beauty of this dish is how effortless it is. With just five minutes of prep and a slow cooker doing the heavy lifting, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or laid-back Sundays. The flank steak becomes fall-apart tender, and the mix of soy sauce, beef broth, and brown sugar creates a savory-sweet balance that mimics your favorite takeout—without the wait or the cost.

It’s also flexible: throw in mushrooms for umami, or kick up the heat with red pepper flakes. You can even swap in sirloin if that’s what you’ve got. It’s an easy slow cooker dinner that delivers serious flavor with almost no fuss.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This pepper steak recipe uses pantry-friendly ingredients and colorful veggies to bring it all together:

Flank steak (2 lbs) – Sliced into strips; it’s tender, flavorful, and ideal for slow cooking.
Bell peppers (1 each: green, red, yellow) – For a trio of color and sweetness.
Large onion – Sliced, it adds depth and sweetness to the dish.
Garlic (3 cloves) – Minced, for aromatic richness.
Diced tomatoes (1 can, 14.5 oz, undrained) – Adds body to the sauce.
Beef broth (½ cup) – Builds the umami base.
Low sodium soy sauce (¼ cup) – Brings the classic savory, salty note.
Brown sugar (1 tbsp) – Balances the salt and acidity with a hint of sweetness.
Cornstarch (1 tbsp + 2 tbsp water) – For thickening the sauce at the end.
Salt and pepper – To taste.

Optional Add-Ins

Try sliced mushrooms, crushed red pepper for heat, or even a splash of sesame oil for a deeper flavor finish.

How to Make Crockpot Pepper Steak

Flat lay of crockpot pepper steak in a dark bowl with green and red bell peppers and onions on a rustic surface — Crockpot Pepper Steak – Easy, Flavorful Slow Cooker Favorite 10

Here’s how to bring this no-fuss dish together:

1. Prep the veggies and steak.
Slice your flank steak into thin strips, and cut up your bell peppers, onion, and garlic.

2. Layer the ingredients.
Add steak, peppers, onions, garlic, and the can of diced tomatoes (with the juice) into your Crockpot.

3. Make the sauce.
In a small bowl, mix the beef broth, soy sauce, and brown sugar until the sugar dissolves. Pour this mixture over the steak and veggies.

4. Set it and forget it.
Cover and cook on low for 5–6 hours or high for about 3 hours, until the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender.

5. Thicken the sauce.
Mix cornstarch and water in a separate bowl. Stir it into the Crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Leave the lid slightly ajar to let the sauce thicken.

6. Serve and enjoy.
Spoon it over fluffy white rice, buttery mashed potatoes, or slurp-worthy noodles.

Slow Cooking Tips

Low and slow gives you the most tender steak, but high works great if you’re pressed for time.
Don’t skip the cornstarch slurry—it turns the broth into a rich, silky sauce.
For crisper peppers, add them halfway through instead of at the beginning.

What to Serve With It

Juicy pepper steak with bell peppers and onions in savory sauce, served with white rice in a rustic bowl — Crockpot Pepper Steak – Easy, Flavorful Slow Cooker Favorite 11

This dish is a total comfort classic, and the sides should match that vibe. I love serving it over:

White or jasmine rice – A neutral base to soak up all that saucy goodness.
Mashed potatoes – For an extra cozy twist.
Noodles – Think egg noodles or rice noodles.
Cauliflower rice – A great low-carb option that still holds up well.

For a complete plate, serve it with a hearty veggie side like Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes, Carrots, and Zucchini as a Perfect Side Dish.

Storage, Reheating & Freezing Tips

This Crockpot Pepper Steak stores like a dream:

In the fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
To reheat: Microwave with a splash of broth or water, or warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat.
Freezing: Freeze in meal prep containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat.

It’s meal-prep friendly and tastes even better the next day.

FAQs About Crockpot Pepper Steak

How do you cook pepper steak in a slow cooker?

Add sliced steak, peppers, onion, garlic, and tomatoes to the slow cooker. Pour in a soy sauce-based broth, cover, and cook on low for 5–6 hours or high for 3 hours. Add cornstarch near the end to thicken the sauce.

What is the best cut of meat for pepper steak?

Flank steak is ideal—it’s flavorful and becomes wonderfully tender in the slow cooker. Sirloin or round steak are great alternatives if sliced thinly.

How long does it take for steak to cook in a crockpot?

Flank steak needs 5–6 hours on low or 3 hours on high to get tender. The thinner the cut, the quicker it cooks.

Can you put raw steak in a slow cooker?

Absolutely. The slow cooker is designed for raw meat. Just make sure it reaches a safe internal temperature by the end of cooking.

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Yes! Sirloin or even round steak can work, as long as they’re sliced thin and cooked long enough to become tender.

Can I prep it the night before?

Totally! Add everything (except the cornstarch slurry) to the Crockpot insert, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Set it to cook in the morning.

Is it spicy?

Nope—but you can easily spice it up with crushed red pepper flakes or chili garlic sauce.

Final Thoughts & Recipe Recap

This Crockpot Pepper Steak is your ticket to a flavorful, fuss-free dinner that feels like a cozy takeout night—minus the wait. It’s easy, rich in flavor, and endlessly customizable.

Try it once, and it’ll definitely earn a spot on your regular meal rotation. And if you need another no-fuss favorite, check out my Easy Crockpot Steak Bites for Busy Weeknights. Or for a lighter vibe, Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken with Rice for a Comforting Meal is a great option too!

And hey—if you put your own spin on it, I’d love to hear about it. Leave a comment or tag me on Pinterest or Facebook!

Crockpot Pepper Steak – Easy, Flavorful Slow Cooker Favorite