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Slow Cooker Korean Beef Recipe

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4.2 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Lea
  • Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Diet: Low Salt

Description

A flavorful and tender Slow Cooker Korean Beef recipe that combines savory, sweet, and spicy elements, perfect for an effortless and delicious meal. The beef is browned for extra flavor, then slow-cooked with a sweet and tangy Korean-inspired sauce until fork-tender, garnished with scallions and sesame seeds.

Ingredients

Beef and Seasoning

  • 2 lbs chuck roast (trimmed and cut into cubes)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 2 tablespoons ginger (chopped)
  • ½ cup scallions (about 4 large scallions, chopped whites plus the green for garnish)
  • 5 garlic cloves (chopped)

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 cup applesauce (apple-pear if possible)
  • ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons gochujang sauce (Korean BBQ sauce or chili garlic sauce, plus more for serving)
  • 1 tablespoon sweetener of your choice (e.g., coconut sugar)

Garnish

  • Black and white sesame seeds
  • Additional scallion greens
  • Extra gochujang or Korean BBQ sauce for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Brown the Beef: Toss the beef cubes with cornstarch, garlic powder, and onion powder until evenly coated. In a pan sprayed with oil, brown the beef in batches over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side. This adds flavor and seals in juices. Transfer browned beef to the slow cooker.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat sesame oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add chopped ginger, scallion whites, and garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and aromatic.
  3. Prepare and Add Sauce: In a bowl, combine applesauce, low sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, gochujang sauce, sweetener, and the sautéed aromatics. Pour this flavorful sauce over the browned beef in the slow cooker.
  4. Slow Cook the Beef: Cover and cook the beef mixture on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours, until the meat is tender and easily shredded with a fork.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Once cooked, garnish with chopped scallion greens and sprinkle black and white sesame seeds on top. Drizzle additional gochujang or Korean BBQ sauce over the beef for extra flavor and serve hot.

Notes

  • Browning the beef before slow cooking enhances the flavor and texture but can be skipped if you're short on time.
  • Adjust the amount of gochujang sauce according to your preferred spice level.
  • Using low sodium soy sauce helps control the saltiness of the dish.
  • This dish pairs well with steamed rice, noodles, or sautéed vegetables.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Korean

Find it online: https://recipesbylea.com/slow-cooker-korean-beef-recipe/