Crock Pot Korean Beef Recipe

Introduction

This Crock Pot Korean Beef recipe is a flavorful and easy way to enjoy tender, savory-sweet beef with minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights, it slow cooks until melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness.

A close-up image of a wooden spoon scooping rich, dark brown beef stew thick with chunks of tender meat and pieces of eggplant, all coated in a glossy, savory sauce. Bright green chopped scallions are sprinkled on top, adding a fresh contrast to the dark stew. The background shows more stew with a thick texture and scattered scallions, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1½ lb flank steak, sliced into ¼-inch pieces against the grain
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 1½ tablespoons sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ½ cup beef broth
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place the sliced flank steak and cornstarch into a Ziplock bag. Seal the bag and shake well until the beef is completely coated with cornstarch.
  2. Step 2: Add the coated beef to the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot, spreading it out evenly.
  3. Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk together sesame oil, garlic, fresh ginger, rice vinegar, soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes until combined.
  4. Step 4: Pour the sauce mixture over the beef in the crock pot, ensuring all pieces are covered.
  5. Step 5: Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender.
  6. Step 6: Serve the Korean beef over steamed rice and garnish with sliced green onions if desired.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra depth, add sliced onions or bell peppers to the crock pot before cooking.
  • Adjust the red pepper flakes to control the heat level according to your taste.
  • Use brown sugar substitute like coconut sugar for a different sweetness profile.
  • If you prefer thicker sauce, remove the beef once cooked, and simmer the sauce on the stove until it reduces to your liking.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave until warmed through. This dish also freezes well for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

A bowl of white rice forms the bottom layer, fluffy and neatly packed. On top, there is a thick layer of dark brown beef strips covered in a shiny sauce, sprinkled with white sesame seeds and bright green chopped scallions. Two wooden chopsticks are placed resting on the beef. The bowl is held by two woman's hands against a white marbled surface with some green scallions visible in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Yes, you can substitute flank steak with skirt steak or sirloin. Just adjust cooking times if needed—tougher cuts may require longer slow cooking for tenderness.

Is it necessary to coat the beef with cornstarch?

Coating the beef helps thicken the sauce and gives the meat a slight crust, enhancing texture and flavor. While optional, it is recommended for best results.

Print

Crock Pot Korean Beef Recipe

This Crock Pot Korean Beef recipe offers a tender, flavorful dish made with thinly sliced flank steak cooked low and slow in a rich, savory-sweet sauce. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal, it combines garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a hint of spice, delivering authentic Korean-inspired flavors with minimal hands-on time.

  • Author: Leo
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours (high) or 5 hours (low)
  • Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes (high) or 5 hours 15 minutes (low)
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Korean

Ingredients

Scale

Beef

  • lb flank steak, sliced into ¼ inch pieces against the grain
  • ¼ cup cornstarch

Sauce & Seasoning

  • 1½ tablespoons sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ½ cup beef broth
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Coat the Beef: Place the sliced flank steak and cornstarch into a Ziplock bag. Seal and shake vigorously until all the steak pieces are evenly coated with cornstarch. This helps create a slightly thickened texture in the sauce during cooking. Transfer the coated beef to the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot.
  2. Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the sesame oil, minced garlic, minced fresh ginger, rice vinegar, soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes. Whisk the ingredients thoroughly until the brown sugar has dissolved and the mixture is well blended.
  3. Cook the Beef: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the coated flank steak in the crock pot. Cover the crock pot with its lid and set it to cook on high heat for 2 to 3 hours, or alternatively, on low heat for 4 to 5 hours. The beef will become tender and absorb the rich sauce during this slow cooking process.
  4. Serve: Once the beef is fully cooked and tender, serve it hot over steamed white or brown rice. Garnish with finely chopped green onions or scallions to add a fresh, vibrant touch to the dish.

Notes

  • For best texture, slice the flank steak thinly across the grain before coating with cornstarch.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for more or less heat.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can remove the beef when done and simmer the liquid on the stovetop to reduce.
  • Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for additional flavor and presentation.
  • Use low sodium soy sauce if you want to control the salt level in the dish.

Keywords: Korean beef, crock pot recipe, slow cooker beef, flank steak, Korean barbecue, easy dinner

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

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

Recipe rating