Slow Cooker Korean Beef (Printable)
Savory Korean-style beef simmered to tender perfection with a sweet, spicy sauce and aromatic spices.
# What You'll 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
# Directions:
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 Hints:
01 -
- The beef becomes impossibly tender, practically falling apart when you look at it
- The sauce creates itself while you go about your day
- Leftovers might be even better than the first night
02 -
- Resist the urge to lift the lid during cooking, every time you do you add 30 minutes
- The sauce will look thin at first but thickens beautifully as it cooks down
- Chuck roast needs that long cook time to break down the connective tissue
03 -
- Pat the beef dry before cutting to help it brown better if you sear it first
- Use freshly grated ginger, the microplane kind makes all the difference