Slow Cooker Korean Beef (Printable)
Tender beef simmered in a savory-sweet Korean sauce, perfect for rice or wraps.
# What You Need:
→ Beef
01 - 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into large chunks
→ Sauce
02 - 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
03 - 1/3 cup brown sugar
04 - 1/4 cup water
05 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
06 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
07 - 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
08 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
10 - 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
→ Vegetables & Garnishes
11 - 4 green onions, thinly sliced, divided
12 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish
13 - Optional: sliced red chili, for garnish
# Steps:
01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, water, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, gochujang, and toasted sesame seeds until smooth.
02 - Place beef chunks in the slow cooker. Pour sauce over the beef, turning to coat evenly.
03 - Scatter half of the green onions over the beef.
04 - Cover and cook on low for 7 hours, or until beef is very tender and can be easily shredded with a fork.
05 - Shred the beef directly in the slow cooker using two forks. Stir to coat with the sauce.
06 - Serve hot over steamed rice, in lettuce wraps, or with steamed vegetables. Garnish with remaining green onions, sesame seeds, and optional sliced red chili.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sauce strikes that perfect balance between savory and sweet that keeps everyone coming back for seconds
- Your slow cooker does almost all the work while you go about your day
- The leftovers somehow taste even better the next morning
02 -
- I once forgot to cut the beef into chunks and cooked the whole roast, and while it still tasted good, the sauce penetration was uneven
- Adding a tablespoon of pear or apple puree might sound unusual, but fruit enzymes tenderize meat and add subtle sweetness
03 -
- For gluten-free diners, simply swap the soy sauce for tamari and make sure your gochujang is certified gluten-free
- Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for just a minute before adding them to the sauce, it brings out a nutty flavor that makes everything taste more authentic