Get ready to discover your new weeknight favorite with this Healthy Crock Pot Korean Beef. This recipe simplifies authentic Korean flavors into a fuss-free, dump-and-go meal that’s incredibly satisfying and surprisingly good for you. Perfect for busy families or anyone craving a delicious, home-cooked meal without the hassle.
Key Ingredients for Healthy Crock Pot Korean Beef:
- 1.5 pounds lean ground beef or thinly sliced sirloin steak
- 1 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (or a sugar substitute like erythritol for a lower sugar option)
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (or arrowroot starch) mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (for thickening, optional)
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
- Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
How to Make Healthy Crock Pot Korean Beef:
This Healthy Crock Pot Korean Beef is a game-changer for busy days. It’s incredibly easy to prepare, requiring minimal active cooking time. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, resulting in incredibly tender beef infused with a rich, savory-sweet Korean-inspired sauce. With a prep time of just 10 minutes and a cook time of 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare the Beef: If using lean ground beef, place it directly into your slow cooker. If using thinly sliced sirloin steak, trim any excess fat and slice it against the grain into thin strips (about 1/4 inch thick). Add the sliced steak to the slow cooker.
- Combine the Sauce Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari), water, brown sugar (or sugar substitute), rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and black pepper. If you enjoy a little heat, add the pinch of red pepper flakes at this stage.
- Add Sauce to Slow Cooker: Pour the prepared sauce mixture evenly over the beef in the slow cooker. Stir gently to ensure all the beef is coated.
- Cook on Low or High: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours. The beef should be tender and easily shreddable or falling apart, depending on your chosen cut.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, about 30 minutes before serving, remove the lid from the slow cooker. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch (or arrowroot starch) with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Stir this slurry into the liquid in the slow cooker. Stir occasionally and let it simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Serve: Once cooked, stir the beef to distribute it evenly in the sauce. Serve the delicious Healthy Crock Pot Korean Beef hot over steamed rice, cauliflower rice, or your favorite grain. Garnish generously with thinly sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for an authentic and visually appealing finish.
Why You’ll Love This Healthy Crock Pot Korean Beef:
This Healthy Crock Pot Korean Beef is a true weeknight warrior, offering a symphony of savory, sweet, and umami flavors that will transport your taste buds straight to Korea. The tender beef, slow-cooked to perfection in its luscious sauce, is incredibly satisfying, creating a comforting and hearty meal that feels like a treat. Plus, making this at home is remarkably budget-friendly, especially when compared to ordering takeout, allowing you to enjoy restaurant-quality flavor for a fraction of the cost. The simple yet impactful flavor profile, enhanced by the aromatic garlic and ginger, makes it a standout dish, even before you consider the fresh, vibrant toppings like crisp green onions and nutty sesame seeds that elevate every bite.
Unlike many traditional Korean beef recipes that can be oil-heavy or time-consuming, this slow cooker version prioritizes your health and your schedule without sacrificing taste. It’s versatile enough to become your go-to meal prep staple or a fuss-free dinner option when you’re short on time. So, ditch the delivery apps and embrace the ease and deliciousness of home cooking – you absolutely must try this Healthy Crock Pot Korean Beef!
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Storing and Reheating Tips:
Properly storing your delicious Healthy Crock Pot Korean Beef ensures you can enjoy its fantastic flavor for days to come.
- Refrigeration: Allow the cooked beef and sauce to cool completely in the slow cooker or in an airtight container before refrigerating. This helps prevent bacterial growth. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze portions of the cooled beef and sauce in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Ensure they are sealed tightly to prevent freezer burn. Frozen Healthy Crock Pot Korean Beef is best consumed within 2-3 months for optimal quality.
- Reheating: To reheat, gently warm the beef and sauce in a saucepan over low heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until hot. If the sauce has thickened too much after refrigeration, you can add a tablespoon or two of water or broth to loosen it. If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating using the stovetop or microwave methods.
Final Thoughts:
This Healthy Crock Pot Korean Beef truly embodies the magic of slow cooking, delivering immense flavor with minimal effort. It’s a wonderfully adaptable recipe that’s perfect for busy lives. We encourage you to give it a try – your taste buds and your schedule will thank you!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Healthy Crock Pot Korean Beef
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- If using lean ground beef, place it directly into your slow cooker. If using thinly sliced sirloin steak, trim any excess fat and slice it against the grain into thin strips (about 1/4 inch thick). Add the sliced steak to the slow cooker.1.5 pounds lean ground beef or thinly sliced sirloin steak
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari), water, brown sugar (or sugar substitute), rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and black pepper. If you enjoy a little heat, add the pinch of red pepper flakes at this stage.1 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 3 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 4 cloves garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- Pour the prepared sauce mixture evenly over the beef in the slow cooker. Stir gently to ensure all the beef is coated.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours. The beef should be tender and easily shreddable or falling apart, depending on your chosen cut.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, about 30 minutes before serving, remove the lid from the slow cooker. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch (or arrowroot starch) with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Stir this slurry into the liquid in the slow cooker. Stir occasionally and let it simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Once cooked, stir the beef to distribute it evenly in the sauce. Serve the delicious Healthy Crock Pot Korean Beef hot over steamed rice, cauliflower rice, or your favorite grain. Garnish generously with thinly sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for an authentic and visually appealing finish.2 green onions green onions, thinly sliced, toasted sesame seeds