Description
This Slow Cooker Korean Beef recipe features tender chunks of chuck roast simmered in a flavorful sauce made from soy sauce, applesauce, garlic, ginger, and spicy gochujang. Perfectly browned and slow-cooked to fork tenderness, it’s a delicious, hands-off meal that’s ideal for busy days or cozy dinners. Garnished with scallions and sesame seeds, it offers a burst of Korean-inspired flavors with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Coating
- 2 lbs chuck roast (trimmed and cut into cubes)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Sauce and Aromatics
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons ginger (chopped)
- ½ cup scallions (about 4 large scallions, chopped, whites for cooking, greens for garnish)
- 5 garlic cloves (chopped)
- 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 (coconut sugar recommended)
- Black and white sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Toss the cubed chuck roast with cornstarch, garlic powder, and onion powder until evenly coated. Heat a pan over medium-high heat and spray with oil. In batches, brown the beef cubes on all sides, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Once browned, transfer the beef to your slow cooker.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a small skillet over medium-low heat, add sesame oil, chopped ginger, scallion whites, and garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture becomes fragrant and aromatic.
- Combine Sauce and Slow Cook: In a bowl, stir together the applesauce, low sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, gochujang, and sweetener. Add the sautéed ginger, scallion whites, and garlic into the sauce and pour the entire mixture over the browned beef in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until the beef is fork tender.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, garnish with scallion greens and a sprinkle of black and white sesame seeds. Drizzle additional gochujang or Korean BBQ sauce to taste for extra flavor and heat.
Notes
- Using applesauce adds natural sweetness and helps tenderize the beef.
- Adjust gochujang quantity according to your preferred spice level.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute soy sauce with tamari.
- Brown the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, ensuring better caramelization.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or noodles.
