Name: Easy Slow Cooker Korean Beef
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: 3-4 lbs boneless beef chuck roast, cut into 2-3 pieces; 1 cup low-sodium soy sauce; ½ cup packed light brown sugar; ½ cup water; ¼ cup unseasoned rice vinegar; 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil; 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced; 8 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated; 1 medium Asian pear (or Bosc pear), peeled & grated; 1-2 tbsp gochujang or Sriracha (optional); ¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground; 2 tbsp cornstarch (for thickening); 2 tbsp cold water (for thickening); ¼ cup fresh green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish); 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (for garnish); Steamed white or brown rice (for serving); Steamed broccoli or cucumber salad (for serving)

why make this recipe

This Easy Slow Cooker Korean Beef is a perfect dish for busy days. It’s a simple recipe that requires minimal prep time and lets your slow cooker do all the hard work. The result is tender, flavorful beef that’s packed with the delicious tastes of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. Whether you’re feeding a family or meal prepping for the week, this recipe is sure to please everyone at the table.

how to make Easy Slow Cooker Korean Beef

Ingredients :

3-4 lbs boneless beef chuck roast, cut into 2-3 pieces

1 cup low-sodium soy sauce

½ cup packed light brown sugar

½ cup water

¼ cup unseasoned rice vinegar

2 tbsp toasted sesame oil

1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced

8 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

1 medium Asian pear (or Bosc pear), peeled & grated

1-2 tbsp gochujang or Sriracha (optional)

¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground

2 tbsp cornstarch (for thickening)

2 tbsp cold water (for thickening)

¼ cup fresh green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)

2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)

Steamed white or brown rice (for serving)

Steamed broccoli or cucumber salad (for serving)

Directions :

Prep Beef & Sear (Optional): Pat dry the beef chuck roast. For richer flavor, sear the beef in 1-2 tablespoons of neutral oil in a large pan over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer the seared beef to your slow cooker.

Prep Aromatics & Pear: Thinly slice the yellow onion. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger. Peel and grate the Asian pear into a medium mixing bowl.

Make Korean Sauce: In the bowl with the grated pear, add the soy sauce, brown sugar, water, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, sliced onion, gochujang or Sriracha (if using), and black pepper. Whisk the ingredients until the brown sugar is dissolved and the sauce is well mixed.

Slow Cook: Pour the sauce over the beef in the slow cooker. Secure the lid and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the beef is tender and easy to shred.

Shred Beef & Thicken Sauce: Carefully remove the cooked beef and shred it into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with cold water to form a smooth slurry. Gradually whisk this into the hot sauce in the slow cooker and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Adjust & Serve: Taste the thickened sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. Stir the shredded beef into the thickened sauce. Serve hot over steamed rice, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds. You can also serve it with steamed broccoli or a fresh cucumber salad.

how to serve Easy Slow Cooker Korean Beef

This dish is best served hot over a bed of steamed white or brown rice. Make sure to ladle some of the rich sauce over the beef and rice. Garnish with fresh green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor. It pairs wonderfully with sides like steamed broccoli or a light cucumber salad.

FAQs

Can I use frozen beef for this recipe?

Yes, you can! However, be sure to cook it longer, as frozen meat may take additional time to become tender.

Is it necessary to sear the beef?

Searing the beef is optional, but it does enhance the flavor. You can skip this step if you’re short on time.

Can I make this in a regular pot instead of a slow cooker?

Yes, you can. Simply simmer everything in a regular pot on low heat. Cook time will be around 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally until the beef is tender.