Crockpot Pepper Steak

Crockpot Pepper Steak

Final plated meal of saucy beef with red and green peppers

Table of content

Share it to save it!
Pin it to save it!

Tender sirloin, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes simmer slowly with soy and Worcestershire in this flavorful Crockpot Pepper Steak.

Pin this Recipe

Remember it later!

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

Pin this recipe!

Remember it later!

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

Pin this recipe!

The first time I made Crockpot Pepper Steak, it wasn’t planned—it was one of those “oh shoot, what’s for dinner?” moments. I had a pack of sirloin in the freezer and a couple of sad-looking bell peppers in the fridge that were this close to going bad. You know that moment where you’re staring at your fridge like it’s gonna magically hand you a dinner idea? Yep, that was me.

So I pulled out the crockpot, half out of laziness and half out of hope. I browned the beef, tossed in peppers, onions, soy sauce, and just kind of crossed my fingers. I even told myself, “If this doesn’t work out, there’s always pizza.” But oh man, when I walked back into the kitchen a few hours later, the smell hit me like comfort itself. It was warm, savory, and a little sweet—the kind of smell that makes your whole house feel cozy. By the time dinner hit the table, nobody cared it was “just pepper steak.” My husband was dunking bread into the sauce like it was soup, my kids actually ate the peppers (miracle!), and I sat there thinking, “Why didn’t I try this sooner?”

Here’s a quick peek at what’s inside:

Table of content

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Pepper Steak Recipe?

I’m not gonna pretend this Crockpot Pepper Steak is fancy—it’s not. But that’s kind of the beauty of it. It’s simple, hearty, and you get that “takeout but better” vibe without spending a fortune or standing over a hot stove. The steak gets melt-in-your-mouth tender after slow cooking, the peppers keep just enough crunch so you don’t feel like you’re eating mush, and the sauce? Oh, the sauce. It’s savory from the soy and Worcestershire, a little tangy from the tomatoes, and balanced with just enough sweetness. And here’s the kicker—you literally dump it in, walk away, and dinner basically makes itself. Honestly, that’s a win in my book.

 

Ingredient Notes:

Let’s break down the MVPs of this dish and why they matter:

  • Sirloin Steak – I like sirloin because it holds up in the crockpot, but still comes out tender. Slice it thin for that classic pepper steak vibe.

  • Bell PeppersRed and green peppers not only taste great but make the dish colorful. Because food should look fun too, right?

  • Onions – White onions add that sweet, savory base. You’ll miss them if you skip them.

  • Diced Tomatoes – I just grab a can. They add acidity that keeps the sauce from being too heavy.

  • Soy Sauce & Worcestershire – These are the flavor bombs. Together they make the sauce rich and full of umami (that savory “something” you can’t quite put your finger on).

  • Brown Sugar – Just enough sweetness to balance out the saltiness.

  • Beef Bouillon + Hot Water – This makes a broth that ties everything together.

  • Cornstarch – For thickening the sauce. Without it, you’re basically serving pepper steak soup.

  • Garlic – Because garlic makes everything better. Always.

Close-up of tender beef strips with peppers in a savory sauce served over rice

How To Make Crockpot Pepper Steak?

It’s not complicated at all, but I’ll walk you through so it feels like we’re cooking side by side.

Step 1 – Brown the steak.
Heat some olive oil in a skillet, toss in your steak strips, and brown them on all sides. Don’t worry about cooking them through—this is just for flavor.

Step 2 – Make the broth.
Dissolve the bouillon cube in hot water, whisk in the cornstarch, and pour it into the crockpot. This is the base that’ll thicken into that silky sauce later.

Step 3 – Add the seasonings.
Soy sauce, Worcestershire, brown sugar, diced tomatoes, a pinch of salt and pepper—stir it all together. Already smells like dinner, doesn’t it?

Step 4 – Steak and onions go in.
Add the browned steak and sliced onions to the crockpot. Stir it gently so the sauce coats everything. Then cover and let the crockpot do its thing—low for 6–7 hours or high for 3.

Step 5 – Peppers come last.
Don’t throw the peppers in at the start unless you like mushy veggies (hey, no judgment). Add them about an hour before you’re ready to serve so they stay bright and slightly crisp.

Step 6 – Serve it up.
Garnish with green onion if you’re feeling fancy. Spoon it over rice, noodles, or heck, even mashed potatoes. And keep some crusty bread nearby—trust me, you’ll want to mop up every last drop of sauce.

Hearty pepper steak cooked in the slow cooker, ready to serve

Want To Save This Recipe?

Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox.

Storage Options:

This dish keeps really well, and honestly, I think it tastes even better the next day once the flavors hang out together. Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove or microwave, adding a splash of broth if the sauce thickens too much. It also freezes nicely—portion it out, freeze for up to 2 months, and thank yourself later when you don’t feel like cooking.

Variations and Substitutions:

The nice thing about Crockpot Pepper Steak is it’s easy to play around with. Here are some ideas:

  • Different Beef Cuts – Flank steak or round steak works fine, just slice it thin.

  • Extra Veggies – Mushrooms, carrots, or snow peas are great additions.

  • Spicy Kick – Red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce if you like heat.

  • Low-Sodium Version – Use low-sodium soy sauce and skip extra salt.

  • Gluten-Free Swap – Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.

Family-style serving dish filled with slow-cooked steak and vegetables

What to Serve with Crockpot Pepper Steak?

This pepper steak is all about the sauce, so you’ll want sides that soak it up:

  • Steamed Rice – The classic pairing.

  • Egg Noodles – Hearty and comforting.

  • Mashed Potatoes – Not traditional, but honestly? Delicious.

  • Green Salad – Something fresh to balance the richness.

  • Crusty Bread – For sopping up sauce when the rice is gone.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I really have to brown the steak first?
No, but I recommend it. That sear adds depth you just don’t get if you skip it.

Can I make this ahead?
Yep! Chop the veggies, slice the beef, mix the sauce—keep it in the fridge overnight. In the morning, dump it in the crockpot and go about your day.

How do I make the sauce thicker?
Easy—whisk a little more cornstarch with cold water and stir it in about 30 minutes before serving.

Bowl of beef and bell peppers in a rich, glossy sauce

And there you have it—Crockpot Pepper Steak that basically cooks itself while you go live your life. It’s hearty, colorful, and the kind of dinner that makes the whole house smell like you’ve been cooking for hours (even when you really haven’t).

So tell me—are you gonna save this one for a cozy Sunday, or is it about to slide right into your weeknight rotation?

Remember it later!

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

Pin this recipe!

Remember it later!

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

Pin this recipe!

Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:

Close-up of tender beef strips with peppers in a savory sauce served over rice

Crockpot Pepper Steak

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Tender strips of sirloin steak slow-cooked with bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and a savory-sweet sauce for a comforting Crockpot Pepper Steak.
6 Servings

Ingredients

For the Pepper Steak:

  • 2 pounds sirloin steak cut into strips
  • 1 red bell pepper sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper sliced
  • 1 white onion sliced
  • 1 can 14–15 ounces diced tomatoes
  • 2 teaspoons garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • cup hot water
  • 1 beef bouillon cube
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For Garnish (Optional):

  • Thinly sliced green onion

Instructions
 

Sear the steak

  1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the strips of sirloin and sauté until browned on all sides. Do not cook through; this step is to develop flavor.

Prepare the broth base

  1. In a measuring cup, dissolve the beef bouillon cube in the hot water. Whisk in the cornstarch until fully combined, then pour the mixture into the crockpot.

Add seasonings and sauce

  1. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Add the diced tomatoes along with a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste.

Combine beef and onion

  1. Transfer the browned steak strips and sliced onion to the crockpot. Stir gently to coat the ingredients evenly in the sauce.

Slow cook

  1. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for approximately 3 hours, until the steak is tender.

Add peppers

  1. One hour before the end of cooking time, stir in the sliced red and green bell peppers. Continue cooking until the peppers are tender yet still slightly crisp.

Serve

  1. Garnish with green onions if desired. Serve the pepper steak over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes, accompanied by a fresh salad.

Notes

To prepare this recipe gluten-free, replace soy sauce with certified gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos. Ensure that the beef bouillon and Worcestershire sauce used are also labeled gluten-free.
Bitty
Facebook
Pinterest
Flipboard

If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!

This site contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission.

Related Categories

Subscribe for email updates

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Hi, I'm Bitty!

I'm Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my "About Me" page for more info!

Search Recipes

Join our community of over 1+ million on social media!

Don't Miss A Recipe!

Subscribe for email updates

Must-Try Recipes

Tasty Swedish Meatball Noodle Bake Recipe

Delicious Leftover Turkey Stuffing Balls – Perfect for Any Occasion!

Queso Mac and Cheese Taco Beef Casserole

Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna Recipe

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Butter Swim Biscuits