Slow Cooker Korean Beef: 4 Easy Steps to Flavor Bliss

Name: Slow Cooker Korean Beef
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 h 30 min
Total time: 8 h 40 min
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: 1 onion, diced; 3 teaspoons garlic, crushed; 2 teaspoons ginger, minced; 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar; 2 tablespoons sesame oil; ½ cup soy sauce; ½ cup beef stock; ½ cup brown sugar; ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes (optional, for heat); 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) chuck beef, cut into bite-sized cubes; 3 tablespoons cornstarch; 3 tablespoons water

Jump to Recipe

If you’ve ever come home after a long day, looked at your kitchen, and thought, “Nope, not today”, then this Slow Cooker Korean Beef is about to become your new weeknight lifesaver. It’s rich, savory-sweet, just a touch spicy, and—best part—your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you’re off conquering the day.

This is one of those recipes that makes your home smell so amazing, your family will wander into the kitchen asking if dinner’s ready hours before it actually is. Trust me, this dish is worth the wait.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Korean Beef

Set it and forget it: Minimal prep, maximum flavor.
Weeknight-friendly: Toss it together before work, come home to a meal that’s basically a warm hug in a bowl.
Crowd-pleaser: Even picky eaters can’t resist that tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef and the glossy, sweet-savory sauce.
Versatile: Serve it over rice, noodles, or tucked into lettuce wraps for a lighter option.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 onion, diced
3 tsp garlic, crushed
2 tsp ginger, minced
1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsp sesame oil
½ cup soy sauce
½ cup beef stock
½ cup brown sugar
¼ tsp red chili flakes (adjust to your spice level)
2.2 lbs (1 kg) chuck beef, cut into bite-sized cubes

For thickening:

3 Tbsp cornstarch
3 Tbsp water

How to Make Slow Cooker Korean Beef

Mix up the magic: Start by adding your diced onion, crushed garlic, and minced ginger directly into the slow cooker. Pour in the rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, beef stock, brown sugar, and red chili flakes. Give everything a good stir—this step is like setting the stage for a great play. The better you mix here, the more evenly the flavors will hug every piece of beef later.
Add the beef: Drop in your bite-sized beef cubes. If they’re a little uneven in size, don’t stress—this is comfort food, not a cooking competition. Just make sure each piece gets a good coating of that rich, savory-sweet sauce. You can even use a spoon to nudge them around so no chunk gets left behind.
Set and forget: Pop on the lid and cook on low for 8 hours. Yes, it’s a long time—but slow cooking is all about patience, and the payoff is fork-tender beef that almost melts when you touch it. While your slow cooker is doing the work, you can tackle your day, run errands, or (let’s be real) binge your favorite show without guilt.
Thicken the sauce: When you’re about 30 minutes from mealtime, mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a smooth slurry—no lumps allowed. Slowly pour it into the slow cooker while stirring. This is when the magic happens: your sauce transforms from thin and brothy to glossy and luscious, ready to cling to each piece of beef.
Serve and swoon: Once the sauce has thickened, you’re ready to serve. Spoon the beef over a bed of fluffy rice, nestle it into warm noodles, or tuck it into crisp lettuce leaves for a lighter twist. Sprinkle on sliced green onions and a scattering of sesame seeds if you want that restaurant-style finish. Then, sit back and watch as the table goes quiet—that’s the sound of everyone loving what you made.

Mounia’s Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Korean Beef

Want extra heat? Add more chili flakes or a squirt of sriracha at the end.
Beef choice matters: Chuck beef is perfect because it becomes tender without falling apart into mystery shreds.
Make it ahead: This tastes even better the next day—hello, meal prep win.
Don’t skip the sesame oil: It’s the secret to that toasty, nutty aroma that makes this dish irresistible.

A Little Story from My Kitchen

This recipe actually came to my rescue during a week when my to-do list felt like it was reproducing on its own. Between soccer practice, work calls, and a fridge that looked like it had given up on life, I tossed everything into the slow cooker one morning and hoped for the best. By dinner, my family was convinced I’d been cooking all day. I just smiled and let them believe it.

Slow Cooker Korean Beef with tender chunks of beef in rich sauce served over white rice in a black bowl. — Slow Cooker Korean Beef — juicy beef cubes in a flavorful sauce over fluffy rice.

FAQs About Slow Cooker Korean Beef

Can I make this in advance?

Yes! In fact, the flavors deepen overnight. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Can I freeze it?

Absolutely. Let it cool, portion into freezer-safe bags, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

What can I serve it with?

Steamed rice is classic, but noodles, mashed potatoes, or even roasted veggies make a great base.

Bringing It All Together

This Slow Cooker Korean Beef is proof that big, bold flavors don’t have to mean big effort. Whether you’re cooking for your family, meal prepping for the week, or just want something warm and satisfying without hovering over the stove, this recipe delivers every single time. One bite, and you’ll see—it’s not just dinner, it’s a little moment of joy at the end of your day.

More Cozy & Flavor-Packed Slow Cooker Recipes to Try

If this Slow Cooker Korean Beef had you swooning, you’ll want to bookmark a few more easy, flavor-loaded slow cooker favorites from our kitchen:

Warm up your evenings with the hearty and comforting Slow Cooker Beef and Chorizo Casserole—a rich blend of tender beef and smoky chorizo in a sauce that begs for crusty bread.
Keep the beef love going with our Crockpot Beef and Broccoli, a takeout-style classic that’s even better homemade.
For a stick-to-your-ribs dinner that’s pure comfort, try the French Onion Pot Roast—melty onions and slow-cooked beef in a savory broth you’ll want to drink with a spoon.
If you like a little sweet with your savory, our Crockpot Pineapple BBQ Chicken delivers tropical flavor with zero fuss.

These recipes share the same “set it and forget it” magic as today’s dish, making them perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you still want something homemade and memorable.