This tender, flavorful Slow Cooker Korean Beef transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort. The combination of savory soy sauce, sweet brown sugar, and aromatic sesame oil creates an irresistible glaze that coats every bite of perfectly tender beef.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Effortless Preparation: Simply toss everything into your slow cooker and let it work its magic while you go about your day. No constant stirring or monitoring required.
Bold, Balanced Flavors: The sweet and savory Korean-inspired sauce delivers complex flavors that satisfy every palate. The brown sugar caramelizes beautifully, while the soy sauce adds umami depth.
Tender, Juicy Results: The slow cooking process breaks down the flank steak fibers, resulting in incredibly tender meat that practically melts in your mouth.
Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters love this mild yet flavorful dish. The heat level is gentle enough for kids while still delivering authentic Korean taste.
Versatile Serving Options: Serve over rice, in lettuce wraps, with noodles, or alongside your favorite vegetables for endless meal possibilities.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1.5 lbs flank steak – Cut against the grain into thin strips
- ¼ cup corn starch – Creates the perfect coating for tender, glossy results
- 2 tbsp sesame oil – Adds authentic nutty flavor and aroma
- ½ tsp garlic powder – Provides savory depth without overpowering
- ½ cup soy sauce – The foundation of our Korean-inspired sauce
- ¾ cup brown sugar – Creates the signature sweet-savory balance
- 1 diced onion – Adds sweetness and texture to complement the beef
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes – Provides just a hint of heat (adjust to taste)
How to Make Slow Cooker Korean Beef: Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Beef Cut the flank steak against the grain into thin strips, approximately ¼-inch thick. This ensures maximum tenderness in the final dish.
Step 2: Coat the Beef In a large bowl, toss the beef strips with corn starch until evenly coated. This coating helps thicken the sauce and gives the meat a silky texture.
Step 3: Sear for Extra Flavor (Optional but Recommended) Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Quickly sear the coated beef strips for 1-2 minutes per side until lightly browned. This step adds depth of flavor but can be skipped if you’re short on time.
Step 4: Create the Sauce In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic powder until the sugar dissolves completely.
Step 5: Combine in Slow Cooker Transfer the beef to your slow cooker. Add the diced onion and red pepper flakes. Pour the sauce mixture over everything and stir gently to combine.
Step 6: Slow Cook to Perfection Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the sauce has thickened to a glossy glaze.
Step 7: Final Touch Stir gently before serving to distribute the sauce evenly. Garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Helpful Tips
Choose the Right Cut: Flank steak works best for this recipe due to its flavor and how well it shreds when slow-cooked. Skirt steak or chuck roast are suitable alternatives.
Don’t Skip the Corn Starch: This ingredient is crucial for achieving the proper sauce consistency and meat texture. It prevents the beef from becoming tough and helps create that signature glossy coating.
Cut Against the Grain: Always slice flank steak against the grain for maximum tenderness. Look for the direction of the muscle fibers and cut perpendicular to them.
Adjust Heat Level: Start with less red pepper flakes and add more to taste. You can always increase the heat, but you can’t take it away.
Avoid Overcooking: While slow cookers are forgiving, cooking too long on HIGH can make the meat stringy. LOW and slow yields the best results.
Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6-8 hours (LOW) or 3-4 hours (HIGH)
Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes – 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Difficulty: Easy
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: Approximately 320
- Protein: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fat: 12g
- Sodium: 890mg
Notes
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep the ingredients the night before and store them in the refrigerator. In the morning, just add everything to the slow cooker and start cooking.
Freezer Instructions: This recipe freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Portion into freezer-safe containers and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Sauce Consistency: If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of corn starch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Serving Suggestions: This Korean beef pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice, cauliflower rice for a low-carb option, or Asian-style noodles. Add steamed broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy for extra nutrition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cut of beef? Yes, chuck roast or skirt steak work well as alternatives to flank steak. Adjust cooking time as needed – chuck roast may need an extra hour for optimal tenderness.
Is this recipe gluten-free? This recipe contains soy sauce, which typically contains gluten. Use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce to make it gluten-free, and ensure your corn starch is certified gluten-free.
Can I make this on the stovetop instead? Absolutely! Brown the beef in a Dutch oven, add the sauce ingredients, cover, and simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
How can I make this spicier? Increase the red pepper flakes, add a diced jalapeño, or include 1-2 teaspoons of gochujang (Korean chili paste) for authentic heat.
What if I don’t have sesame oil? While sesame oil adds authentic flavor, you can substitute with vegetable oil or olive oil. Consider adding a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for flavor.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerator: Store leftover Slow Cooker Korean Beef in airtight containers for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Freezer: Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. Label with the date and contents.
Reheating: Reheat gently in the microwave, on the stovetop over low heat, or in a 300°F oven until warmed through. Add a splash of water or broth if the sauce seems too thick.
Meal Prep: This recipe is perfect for meal prepping. Divide into individual portions with rice and vegetables for easy weekday lunches.
Related Recipes
Looking for more delicious slow cooker meals? Try these favorites from our collection:
- Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
- Crockpot Teriyaki Beef
- Asian-Style Slow Cooker Pork
- Korean-Inspired Chicken Bowls
Conclusion
This Slow Cooker Korean Beef recipe proves that extraordinary flavors don’t require extraordinary effort. With just a few simple ingredients and your trusty slow cooker, you can create a meal that rivals your favorite Korean restaurant. The tender beef, glossy sauce, and perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors make this dish a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Whether you’re feeding a busy family on a weeknight or preparing for meal prep Sunday, this recipe delivers consistent, delicious results every time. The hands-off cooking method means you can start it in the morning and come home to an amazing dinner that fills your house with incredible aromas.
Try this Slow Cooker Korean Beef today and discover why it’s destined to become a regular in your dinner rotation. Your family will be asking for it again and again!