Name: Slow Cooker Korean Beef Recipe
Prep time: PT-490152H57M33S
Cook time: PT-490152H57M33S
Total time: 6 h 15 min
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: 700 g (1.4 lb) beef bavette steak; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 2½ tbsp gochujang paste; 3 tbsp soy sauce; 2 tbsp red wine vinegar; 1 tbsp sesame oil; 1 tsp ground ginger or 1 thumb-sized piece fresh ginger; ¼ tsp chilli flakes (optional for extra heat); Black pepper, a small pinch; 3 tsp soft brown sugar; 1 white onion, peeled and sliced; 1 pear, peeled and cut into chunks; 1½ tbsp cornflour; 150 ml (5 fl oz) apple juice

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Introduction

This Slow Cooker Korean Beef is a tender, flavorful dish infused with a rich, spicy marinade and a hint of sweetness from pear and apple juice. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal, it develops a glossy sauce that coats the beef beautifully as it cooks gently for hours.

A close-up of a white bowl filled with two main layers: on the left side, there is a thick, dark brown meat stew with visible tender chunks and sliced mushrooms, topped with bright green sliced scallions and a few sesame seeds scattered over it; on the right side, there is a neat portion of fluffy white rice garnished with green scallion slices, and a small piece of orange pickled vegetable resting on the rice near the bottom right. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, with black chopsticks resting on the right edge of the bowl. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

700 g (1.4 lb) beef bavette steak
1 white onion, peeled and sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 pear, peeled and cut into chunks
2½ tbsp gochujang paste
150 ml (5 floz) apple juice
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp ground ginger or 1 thumb-sized piece fresh ginger
¼ tsp chilli flakes (optional for extra heat)
A small pinch of black pepper
3 tsp soft brown sugar
1½ tbsp cornflour

Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, combine gochujang paste, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, red wine vinegar, sesame oil, soft brown sugar, black pepper, and chilli flakes if using. Mix well to create the marinade.
Step 2: Cut the beef bavette steak into large strips about 3cm thick. Add the beef to the marinade and stir to coat all pieces thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Step 3: Peel and slice the onion. Peel, core, and cut the pear into chunks. Place both the onion and pear into the slow cooker.
Step 4: Sprinkle the cornflour over the onion and pear, then stir to combine evenly.
Step 5: Add the marinated beef on top, then pour in the apple juice. Gently stir to mix, ensuring the meat is as submerged as possible.
Step 6: Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours, until the beef is tender and a glossy sauce has formed.
Step 7: Serve hot with freshly cooked jasmine rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Tips & Variations

For extra depth, marinate the beef overnight instead of 2 hours.
Substitute pear with apple if you prefer a slightly different sweetness.
Add sliced spring onions and toasted sesame seeds as garnish before serving.
If you don’t have a slow cooker, this can be made in a covered pot on very low heat, checking occasionally for moisture.

Storage

Store any leftover Korean beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much.

How to Serve

A close-up image showing a bowl filled with two main layers: on the left, a thick, dark brown beef stew with visible chunks of tender meat and cooked onions covered in a glossy sauce, garnished with chopped bright green spring onions and sprinkled with sesame seeds; on the right, a fluffy pile of white rice with some scattered green spring onions on top, the bowl itself is white, sitting on a white marbled surface with a pair of wooden chopsticks resting on the edge and a blurred background with blue and red tones. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Yes, other cuts like chuck or brisket work well for slow cooking as they become tender and flavorful over time.

Is gochujang paste spicy?

Gochujang has a mild to moderate heat level with a sweet and savory flavor. You can adjust the spice by adding or omitting the chilli flakes in the recipe.