Introduction
This Slow Cooker Korean Beef is a healthy and flavorful side dish that pairs perfectly with rice. Tender beef short ribs or chuck roast cook slowly with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a touch of sweetness from honey and brown sugar. It’s an easy, weeknight-friendly recipe that adds a protein-packed punch to any meal. Minimal prep and maximum flavor make this Korean-inspired dish a family favorite.
Ingredients
Meat
- 3 lbs beef short ribs or chuck, boneless roast
Produce
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 4 green onions, sliced
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Condiments
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 cup low-sodium soy sauce
Baking & Spices
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp gochujang
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Oils & Vinegars
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup toasted sesame oil
Liquids
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Beef
Cut beef into large chunks if not pre-cut. Pat dry and lightly season with black pepper.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
In a bowl, combine soy sauce, honey or maple syrup, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, gochujang, olive oil, sesame oil, rice vinegar, water, and red pepper flakes. Mix well.
Step 3: Combine in Crock Pot
Place beef, sliced onions, and sauce mixture into the crock pot. Stir to coat evenly.
Step 4: Slow Cook
Cook on low for 7–8 hours or on high for 4–5 hours until beef is tender and can be shredded easily.
Step 5: Thicken the Sauce
Mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Stir into the crock pot and cook an additional 15–20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Step 6: Serve
Serve over steamed rice or quinoa. Garnish with green onions, cilantro, and toasted sesame seeds.
Tips for Best Results
- Use boneless short ribs or chuck for the most tender beef.
- Adjust gochujang and red pepper flakes for desired spice.
- Serve with steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Healthy Crock Pot Side Dishes: Slow Cooker Korean Beef
- Total Time: 8 hrs 15 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Tender Slow Cooker Korean Beef cooked in garlic, ginger, soy sauce, honey, and brown sugar. Perfect healthy side dish over rice.
Ingredients
3 lbs beef short ribs or chuck, boneless 6 cloves garlic, minced 2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated 4 green onions, sliced 1 large yellow onion, sliced Fresh cilantro, for garnish 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup 1 cup low-sodium soy sauce 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1 tbsp cornstarch 1 tbsp gochujang 1 tsp red pepper flakes 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds 1 tbsp olive oil 1/4 cup rice vinegar 1/4 cup toasted sesame oil 2 tbsp water
Instructions
1. Cut beef into large chunks and season with black pepper. 2. Mix soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, gochujang, olive oil, sesame oil, rice vinegar, water, and red pepper flakes. 3. Place beef, sliced onions, and sauce in crock pot. Stir to coat. 4. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours until beef is tender. 5. Mix cornstarch with water and stir in. Cook 15-20 minutes to thicken. 6. Serve over rice or quinoa. Garnish with green onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds.
Notes
Use boneless short ribs or chuck for tender beef. Adjust spice with gochujang and red pepper flakes. Serve with vegetables or salad for a complete meal. Store leftovers in fridge up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 8 hrs
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Crockpot, Korean Beef, Healthy Side Dish, Easy Recipe