Slow Cooker Korean Beef is a mouthwatering dish with tender beef slowly braised in a savory Korean-inspired sauce. 🍖 Combining a sweet and savory flavor profile, this dish is cooked low and slow in a slow cooker until the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender. It’s an easy and hands-off recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd! Serve with rice and veggies for a complete, delicious meal.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 ½ lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
• 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening)
• Green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro (for garnish)

Directions

1. Place the beef cubes in the slow cooker.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.
3. Pour the sauce over the beef in the slow cooker, and stir to coat the beef evenly.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the beef is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
5. Optional: For a thicker sauce, whisk together the cornstarch and water, then add it to the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
6. Once the beef is tender, remove it from the slow cooker and shred with a fork. Return the shredded beef to the sauce and stir to coat.
7. Serve the beef over rice and garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro.

Nutrients

• Calories: 330 kcal (per serving)
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Protein: 27g
• Fat: 17g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 95mg
• Sodium: 720mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 14g

The Appeal of Slow Cooker Korean Beef

The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and its ability to transform into something absolutely delicious with very little hands-on time. By using the slow cooker, you let the flavors of the sauce develop and penetrate the beef over hours of low, slow cooking. The result is tender beef that’s practically begging to be shredded and served with a sauce that’s rich, savory, and slightly sweet. It’s a dish that takes minimal prep work and delivers maximum flavor—what’s not to love?

A Flavor Profile That Hits All the Right Notes

At the heart of Slow Cooker Korean Beef is a sauce that is both sweet and savory, with a hint of tang and spice. The soy sauce provides the saltiness that gives the beef a rich umami flavor, while the brown sugar adds just the right touch of sweetness. Rice vinegar and sesame oil bring a lovely balance of acidity and depth, rounding out the overall flavor profile. The garlic and ginger infuse the dish with aromatic warmth, and the red pepper flakes (optional for heat) offer a subtle kick to keep your taste buds interested. Together, these ingredients create a savory-sweet sauce that clings to the beef, making each bite an unforgettable experience.

Tender, Shredded Beef That’s Perfect for Serving

The use of beef chuck roast in this recipe is what makes it so incredibly tender. As the beef slow cooks, it absorbs all the flavors of the sauce, and by the end of the cooking time, the meat practically falls apart with the slightest touch of a fork. This creates that perfect shredded beef texture that’s ideal for serving over rice or stuffing into wraps. The long cooking time allows the beef to break down, making it incredibly easy to shred and mix back into the sauce for an even more delicious finish.

Hands-Off Cooking for Busy Nights

One of the biggest selling points of this recipe is its ease of preparation. The bulk of the cooking is done in the slow cooker, meaning there’s little to no active time required. Simply combine the sauce ingredients, toss the beef in, and set it to cook. While the slow cooker works its magic, you’re free to tackle other tasks, making this a perfect meal for busy families or anyone who enjoys the convenience of a set-it-and-forget-it dinner. It’s the ideal option when you want something flavorful but don’t have the time or energy to slave over a hot stove.

The Option to Thicken the Sauce

While the sauce is delicious as is, there’s also an option to thicken it up if you prefer a richer, more concentrated flavor. By adding a cornstarch slurry towards the end of cooking, you can transform the sauce into something thicker and more like a glaze. This makes it even more perfect for serving over rice, as the sauce clings to the grains and enhances each bite. Whether you choose to thicken the sauce or leave it as a lighter broth, the flavor is guaranteed to shine through.

A Versatile Dish for Different Occasions

One of the best things about Slow Cooker Korean Beef is its versatility. You can serve it in a variety of ways, making it suitable for different types of meals. Here are just a few serving suggestions:

• Over Steamed Rice: The classic choice! Serve the shredded beef over a bowl of fluffy steamed rice to soak up all the delicious sauce.
• In Wraps or Lettuce Cups: For a low-carb alternative, you can serve the beef in crisp lettuce cups or wraps, creating a handheld meal that’s just as delicious.
• With Roasted Vegetables: Pair this dish with roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, or sweet potatoes, to create a balanced and satisfying meal that’s packed with flavor.
• As Part of a Korean-Inspired Feast: Serve alongside other Korean-inspired dishes like kimchi, banchan, or Japchae for a complete and well-rounded meal.

The possibilities are endless, making it an adaptable dish that can be served in numerous ways depending on your preferences or dietary restrictions.

The Health Benefits of Slow Cooker Korean Beef

While this dish is undoubtedly rich and flavorful, it can also be a healthy option when prepared with lean cuts of beef and paired with nutritious sides. Here are some of the health benefits:

• Lean Protein: The beef chuck roast used in this recipe provides a good source of protein, which is essential for muscle growth, repair, and overall body function. It’s a great choice for anyone looking to add some protein to their diet.
• Vegetables and Fiber: While the recipe doesn’t include a lot of vegetables, serving the Korean beef over steamed rice or pairing it with veggies can help increase the fiber content of the meal, making it more filling and balanced.
• Healthy Fats: The use of sesame oil adds healthy fats to the dish, which are important for heart health and overall wellness. Additionally, the sesame seeds used as a garnish provide a boost of omega-3 fatty acids.

When served with nutritious sides, Slow Cooker Korean Beef can be part of a healthy, balanced meal that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.

Why You Should Make Slow Cooker Korean Beef

If you’re looking for a dish that combines tender, savory beef, a rich, flavorful sauce, and minimal prep time, then Slow Cooker Korean Beef is a recipe you need to try. Not only is it a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for feeding a group, but it’s also incredibly easy to make. The slow cooker does most of the work, meaning you can focus on other tasks while the beef cooks to perfection. The combination of soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar creates a unique and irresistible sauce that infuses the beef with layers of flavor, while the tender shredded beef is perfect for serving over rice or in wraps.

The optional cornstarch slurry allows you to tailor the consistency of the sauce to your liking, while the garnishes of green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro bring fresh, vibrant flavors to the dish. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy, and it’s sure to become a regular on your dinner table.

Conclusion – A Must-Try for Busy Weeknights and Gatherings

In conclusion, Slow Cooker Korean Beef is a flavor-packed, easy-to-make dish that will satisfy your cravings and impress your family and friends. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or enjoying a quiet dinner at home, this dish is versatile, delicious, and comforting. With its rich, tender beef, savory sauce, and minimal effort, it’s the perfect addition to any meal rotation. If you haven’t already, give this recipe a try—you’ll be glad you did!