Korean Beef Slow Cooker (Print Version)
Flavorful beef slow-cooked in Korean-inspired sauce creates tender, delicious meals with simple ingredients.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef
01 - 2 lbs beef chuck roast, trimmed and cut into large chunks
→ Sauce
02 - ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
03 - ⅓ cup brown sugar
04 - ¼ cup water
05 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
06 - 2 tablespoons sesame oil
07 - 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
08 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste) or 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
10 - 1 pear, grated (Asian pear preferred, or Bosc pear/apple substitute)
11 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water
→ To Serve
12 - 4 cups cooked jasmine or short grain rice
13 - 2 green onions, sliced
14 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
# How to Make It:
01 - Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, water, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, gochujang, and grated pear in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined and sugar dissolves.
02 - Arrange beef chunks in the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the prepared sauce over the beef, turning pieces to ensure even coating on all sides.
03 - Cover and cook on low heat for 6-7 hours until beef becomes fork-tender and easily shreds apart.
04 - Transfer cooked beef to a cutting board or plate. Use two forks to pull meat apart into shredded pieces.
05 - Skim excess fat from the cooking liquid. Whisk cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry, then stir into the sauce. Return shredded beef to the pot and coat evenly in thickened sauce.
06 - Cook on high heat for 15 additional minutes until sauce reaches desired consistency.
07 - Plate over steamed rice and top generously with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sauce does something magical over six hours, turning ordinary beef into something that tastes like it simmered all day
- You get to look like a genius cook while your slow cooker does absolutely all the work
02 -
- Skip the pre-searing step that some recipes call for because the slow cooker creates plenty of depth without the extra work
- The grated pear might seem strange but it is absolutely essential for authentic Korean flavor and tenderness
03 -
- Cheap soy sauce makes cheap-tasting food so spring for a decent brand like Kikkoman
- Go heavy on the garnishes because fresh elements balance all that rich slow-cooked flavor