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    Home » Recipes » Beef Dishes

    Slow Cooker Korean Beef

    Published: Jul 16, 2023 by Eileen Murphy Kelly

    Jump to Recipe
    A Pinterest pin with text overlay for slow cooker Korean beef.

    This Slow Cooker Korean Beef recipe is a delicious twist on traditional bulgogi. It's an easy and flavorful dish that is perfect for busy weeknights. The beef is cooked in a slow cooker with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, and pepper for an incredibly tender and savory meal.

    Korean beef made in the slow cooker served with rice and topped with sesame seeds.

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    Looking for specifics on the recipe? Use the table of contents to click on sections of the recipe.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
    • 🧾  Ingredient List
    • 🍲 Equipment
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 👩🏻‍🍳Eileen's Tips for Success
    • 📋 Frequently Asked Questions
    • 📖 Variations
    • ❄️ Make ahead, storage, and freezer tips
    • 🥣 Serving Suggestions
    • 🍽 Similar recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

    • This Slow Cooker Korean Beef is an easy and flavorful dish that requires minimal effort.
    • Our Korean beef is an easy crockpot dinner recipe that will quickly be added to your regular dinner rotation.
    • It's packed with bold flavors like garlic and soy sauce to create a delicious meal your family will love.
    • Plus, the beef will be perfectly tender after hours of cooking in the slow cooker!

    🧾  Ingredient List

    Ingredients with text overlay to make slow cooker Korean beef.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    • flank steak
    • yellow onion
    • light brown sugar
    • light soy sauce
    • minced garlic
    • fresh ginger peeled and minced
    • rice wine vinegar
    • sesame oil
    • salt
    • black pepper
    • cornstarch
    • sesame seeds
    • green onions
    • non-stick cooking spray

    🍲 Equipment

    • slow cooker
    • measuring cup and spoon

    🔪 Instructions

    This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.

    A Slow cooker with beef, onions, garlic, and sauce in the pot.

    Step 1: Add the beef, onion, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker

    Beef, onions, and a marinade to make a Korean beef in the slow cooker.

    Step 2: Stir to combine. Cover with the lid and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or on low for 4 to 6 hours.

    Process shot of Korean beef in the slow cooker.

    Step 3: Remove ¼ cup of the drippings and place in a small bowl. Stir cornstarch into the drippings, whisk to combine. Add the cornstarch slurry to the slow cooker. Cook an additional 30 minutes.

    Korean beef made in the slow cooker topped with sesame seeds being picked up with a spoon.

    Step 4: The beef will be fork tender and the sauce will thicken slightly. The Korean beef is ready to serve. Serve the tender beef over rice garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

    Korean beef and rice in a bowl topped with sesame seeds.

    👩🏻‍🍳Eileen's Tips for Success

    • If you want to save time on cleaning up, you can use a slow cooker liner.
    • Be sure to use light brown sugar instead of dark as the taste will be different.
    • Don't skip the sesame oil that's really what gives this dish such a great flavor.
    • Try to slice the beef into even slices so that it cooks at the same rate.
    • If the sauce isn't thickening to your liking, simply add a little more cornstarch slurry and cook for another 10 or 15 minutes.
    • Do you prefer more tender beef? If so, feel free to cook it a little longer until it reaches the texture that you desire.

    📋 Frequently Asked Questions

    What's the best way to reheat crock pot Korean beef?

    The best way to reheat crock pot Korean beef is in a skillet on the stove. Heat a little oil or butter in the pan over medium heat, add the beef and sauce then cook until heated through. You could microwave if desired.

    Does a slow cooker make beef tender?

    Yes, the slow cooker does a great job at making this slow cooker bulgogi tender. The slow cooking process helps to break down the proteins making the beef extra tender.

    Can I use any type of steak for this recipe?

    Yes, you can use other cuts of beef such as flank steak or skirt steak for this slow cooker beef if desired. Just note that cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the meat.

    📖 Variations

    Do you want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways that you increase the flavor of this dish.

    • If you like a more acidic flavor, add an extra tablespoon of rice wine vinegar or even some lime juice.
    • You can substitute the flank steak with boneless short ribs, sirloin steak, beef chuck roast, or thinly sliced pork for a delicious twist.
    • If you are sticking to a low-carb diet, replace the brown sugar with your favorite sugar-free brown sugar alternative.
    • Try adding some thinly sliced mushrooms to the slow cooker for a different flavor profile.
    • Adding a teaspoon of gochujang (Korean chili paste) or ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes to give the dish a bit of heat.
    • If you prefer a saucier Korean beef, add 1 cup of beef broth.

    ❄️ Make ahead, storage, and freezer tips

    Make ahead: You can add all the ingredients (but the slurry) to the slow cooker and store it in the fridge overnight and then add it to the slow cooker in the morning when you are ready to cook.

    Prep ahead: The flank steak can also be prepared with all the ingredients except the cornstarch slurry and frozen for up to 3 months before cooking in the slow cooker. Allow ingredients to defrost overnight in the refrigerator before slow cooking for the best results. 

    Storage - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.

    Freezing - Freeze the cooked beef in an airtight container for up to three months.

    Korean beef and rice in a bowl topped with sesame seeds.

    🥣 Serving Suggestions

    If you ask my family, you can't have Asian food without a side of fried rice. And, this Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice recipe is always my to-go.

    Do you prefer noodles instead of rice? If so, then you are going to want to make this Chicken Chow Mein! It tastes just like restaurant-made chow mein!

    For a twist serve Korean beef over creamy homemade mashed potatoes. Always a hit in our home.

    Are you looking to add something green and healthy to your meal? If Grilled Asparagus is so easy, it cooks quickly and you only need a few pantry staples to make it. You can't go wrong with this recipe.

    Keep this recipe low-carb and serve in lettuce wraps.

    🍽 Similar recipes

    These Asian Style Instant Pot Spare Ribs are another one of my family's favorite recipes to make when we are craving takeout but don't want to spend the money eating out.

    These Asian Meatballs are always a hit with the family. Is an easy meal that you can have on the table in no time!

    If you prefer chicken instead of beef then next time give this Korean Chicken recipe a try with your family.

    Idaho Steak Fingers is another delicious recipe with an Asian flavor.

    I love any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.

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    Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.

    Eileen  xo

    If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

    If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    📖 Recipe

    A white bowl with rice and cooked flank steak with Korean seasonings that was made in the slow cooker.

    Slow Cooker Korean Beef

    Tender, juicy Korean beef is an easy meal that is quickly prepared and the slow cooker does the rest. The flavorful beef is perfect served over rice, as Korean beef tacos, or with noodles.
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    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Korean
    Keyword: crockpot Korean beef, korean beef crockpot, slow cooker Korean beef
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 6 hours hours
    0 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 6 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 374kcal
    Author: Eileen Kelly

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

    Equipment Needed:

    • As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
    • Slow Cooker
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups
    • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
    • Whisk
    • knife
    • Cutting Board

    Ingredients

    • 1 (3) pound flank steak cut into 1 inch strips
    • 1 medium yellow onion peeled and sliced thin
    • ½ cup light brown sugar
    • ¼ cup light soy sauce note 1
    • 6 cloves garlic peeled and minced
    • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger peeled and minced
    • 1 Tablespoon rice wine vinegar
    • 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • non-stick cooking spray
    • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch optional, for thickening the sauce
    • sesame seeds optional garnish
    • green onions sliced, optional garnish

    Save the Recipe?

    Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox to view anytime. Plus the bonus of regular recipes to you for inspiration!

    Instructions

    • Prepare the slow cooker liner with nonstick cooking spray.
    • Place ingredients, sliced beef, onion, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, salt, and black pepper into the prepared vessel of the slow cooker.
    • Stir to combine ingredients.
    • Cover and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or low for 4 to 6 hours.
    • Stir and pull apart any strips of beef that may be stuck together.
    • Remove ¼ cup of the drippings from the slow cooker and place in a small bowl. Stir the cornstarch into the drippings and whisk to combine.
    • Add the cornstarch slurry to the slow cooker and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes to thicken the sauce.
    • Serve the beef over rice garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

    NOTES

    Check Variations, Expert Tips, and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help make a delicious recipe. 
    Note 1: Light soy sauce or gluten-free soy sauce can be used. 
     
    Storage:
    Make ahead: You can add all the ingredients (but the slurry) to the slow cooker, store it in the fridge overnight, and then add it to the slow cooker in the morning when ready to cook.
    Storage - Store leftovers in an airtight covered container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
    Freezing - Freeze the cooked beef in an airtight container for up to three months. The flank steak can also be prepared with all the ingredients except the cornstarch slurry and frozen for up to 3 months before cooking in the slow cooker. Allow ingredients to defrost overnight in the refrigerator before slow cooking for the best results. 
     
     
    • Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
    • Don’t forget to shop at the Everyday Eileen store on Amazon

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 374kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 134mg | Sodium: 682mg | Potassium: 875mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @Everyday_Eileen or tag #everydayeileen!

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    Thank you for sharing!

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