Slow Cooker Beef in Black Bean Sauce

This Slow Cooker Beef in Black Bean Sauce is a rich and savory meal featuring tender beef, colorful peppers, onions, and a flavorful Chinese-inspired black bean sauce. Slow cooking allows the beef to become wonderfully tender while absorbing all the bold flavors.

Ingredients

• 2 lb (900 g) beef chuck roast or stewing beef, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• ½ cup beef broth
• ¼ cup fermented black bean sauce
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, optional

Directions

1. Prepare the Beef

Pat the beef dry with paper towels.

Cut it into evenly sized pieces so it cooks consistently.

For extra flavor, sear the beef in a hot skillet with a little oil for 2–3 minutes per side. This step is optional.

2. Add the Ingredients

Place the beef, onion, bell peppers, garlic, and ginger into a 6-quart slow cooker.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the beef broth, black bean sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and black pepper.

Pour the sauce over the beef and vegetables.

3. Slow Cook

Cover and cook on:

• LOW for 6–8 hours, or
• HIGH for 3–4 hours

Cook until the beef is very tender.

4. Thicken the Sauce

About 20–30 minutes before serving, whisk the cornstarch and cold water together until smooth.

Stir the mixture into the slow cooker.

Cover and continue cooking until the sauce thickens.

5. Add the Finishing Touches

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Stir gently so the beef remains intact.

Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

6. Serve

Serve the beef and vegetables over steamed white rice, jasmine rice, brown rice, or noodles.

Spoon plenty of the savory black bean sauce over the top.

Recipe Tips

• Beef chuck is an excellent choice because it becomes tender during slow cooking.
• Fermented black bean sauce can be salty, so taste before adding extra salt.
• Searing the beef is optional but gives the dish a deeper savory flavor.
• Add sliced mushrooms, snow peas, or broccoli during the final 30–45 minutes for extra vegetables.
• For more heat, add sliced fresh chili peppers or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Don’t add the cornstarch directly to the slow cooker without first mixing it with cold water, as it can form lumps.
• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
• Reheat gently with a splash of broth or water if the sauce becomes too thick.

Prep & Cooking Time

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6–8 hours on LOW
Servings: 6

Meta Description

Make tender Slow Cooker Beef in Black Bean Sauce with beef, bell peppers, onions, garlic, ginger, and a rich savory Chinese-inspired sauce. Perfect over steamed rice.