Korean Bulgogi has enjoyed a wave of newfound interest around the world over the past several years, driving many people to try it for the first time and find they highly enjoy the slightly sweet, barbequed meat. While bulgogi itself is actually quite simple to make, it does require a few different ingredients not always found in everyone's home pantry. Today's recipe, Slow Cooker Garlic Sesame Beef, is a slight spin-off of traditional bulgogi and uses more common, everyday ingredients most people are likely to keep at home. It begins with a delicious marinade and ends with a simple cook in a slow cooker! Anyone that loves those traditional Asian flavors of garlic and sesame is sure to make this their next weeknight dinner so grab a seat and relax as I show you how to enjoy this tasty meal with almost no effort...Let's Get Cooking!
Like a batch of Korean Beef Bulgogi, this simple recipe starts with a marinade for the beef. In a mixing bowl, combine some sliced green onions, sugar, beef stock, reduced sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds, AP Flour, and minced garlic. Stir to combine and set aside while we prepare the beef.
A Sirloin Tip Beef Roast is best for this recipe, but in all honesty, you can use just about any thin-sliced cut of beef thanks to the marinade and slow cooker process. If you purchase a full roast, place it in the freezer for an hour or so to firm up and make slicing easier. Otherwise, most grocery stores have plenty of thin, pre-sliced beef options available. No matter which option or route you ultimately choose, aim for 1/16th - 1/8th inch thick slices to ensure maximum marinade penetration and final mouth bite.
Once your meat is sorted and marinade ready, simply combine the two and toss to ensure all the beef is completely coated. Cover and refrigerate the beef at least 8 hours, but preferably overnight, to give the marinade maximum time to impart those delicious flavors.
Once your beef has had ample time to marinate, simply dump it into your slow cooker and cook it on the Low setting 6 hours. It really is that simple! Depending on your slow cooker, you can choose to begin checking the beef after 4 hours, but letting it go the full 6 hours should not result in any overcooking issues. I will warn, however, that you should definitely NOT go beyond 6 hours, even on the Low or Warm setting.
And just like that you have made some delicious Slow Cooker Garlic Sesame Beef! You will likely want to start making some rice to accompany this Korean-inspired beef about 30-45 minutes before it finishes so your entire meal is ready to go at once. Don't even think about straining off those extra juices from the cooking process either. Be sure to ladle up some to season the rice for sure! Also, storing any leftover beef in those juices keeps things moist and tender, even after reheating, making this a perfect weekly meal prep recipe!
This simple Slow Cooker Garlic Sesame Beef is sure to become a family favorite so get ready to be asked to make it time and again. You just can't beat a simple marinade and a slow cooker to make weekday cooking a breeze! Prep the marinade and beef the night before, come home at lunch to start the cooking process, and return in the evening to a delicious meal. Even I have to admit the amount of flavor that came out of this one amazed me, so I may even try converting it to a beef jerky marinade in the future it was so good. That's one of the things I truly love about cooking. You can make things the traditional way, go off the rails, or find something between, but as long as you're in the kitchen trying new things the possibilities are endless, eh? So do me a favor and give this one a try for yourself and let me know what you think.....Just Keep Cooking!
SLOW COOKER GARLIC SESAME BEEF
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