Slow Cooker Korean Sesame Garlic Beef

Melt-in-your-mouth tender and so tasty is this Slow Cooker Korean Sesame Garlic Beef. The delicious marinade with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil gives the beef so much flavor. Such a breeze to make in the crockpot, too. Serve with rice and drizzle the sauce all over.

Having grown up cooking and eating food with the flavors of garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil – I knew that any marinade made with this combo would be superb in flavor and would make any dish shine.

So, it was a no-brainer to make a beef dish using this mixture. In fact, I have made two quick stir-fry dishes with such flavors – my Korean Ground Beef recipe and Sauteed Beef with Bean Sprouts and Cabbage.

Both recipes are very popular on our site, and for good reason! Both are tasty and very easy to make! The same goes for this flavorful beef dish! Inspired by my Korean ground beef recipe (where I used a lot of fresh ginger!) and a Taste of Home Sesame Garlic Beef dish, this easy Korean-style crockpot dish came about.

Why This Slow Cooker Sesame Garlic Beef Recipe Works

• Slow Cooker Korean Sesame Garlic Beef combines garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil to create a marinade that produces tender, flavorful meat.

• The slow cooker method requires minimal cookware beyond the crockpot itself and a marinating bowl, reducing cleanup time.

• The dish is inspired by traditional Korean homestyle cooking flavors and draws from both Korean ground beef recipes and sesame garlic beef preparations.

• The resulting sauce from the slow cooking process is meant to be served over rice and drizzled generously over the beef.

• The flavor profile represents classic Korean cooking elements with sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic as the foundational ingredients.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Korean Sesame Garlic Beef

• 4 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 3 lb beef sirloin tip roast or chuck roast
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup sesame oil
• 2 tbsp freshly grated ginger
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 4-6 stalks green onions, sliced thinly

How to Cook Slow Cooker Korean Sesame Garlic Beef

If your sesame seeds are not pre-toasted, dry-fry them in a skillet or frying pan until nicely browned but not burned. Divide in half and set aside.

Slice the beef sirloin or chuck roast into strips or bite-size chunks. Set aside.

In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, water, sesame oil, half of the roasted sesame seeds, ginger, garlic, and flour. Add the beef strips and mix well to ensure the beef is well coated with the marinade. Let sit in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. If short on time, marinate for at least 1 hour.

Pour in the beef and its marinade into the slow cooker or crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 5-7 hours, or until the meat is tender. You can also cook it for 3-4 hours on high.

Transfer the meat to a dish and sprinkle with the remaining sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve immediately with hot rice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use a different cut of beef if I don’t have the recommended cut?
Yes, you can substitute with other beef cuts suitable for slow cooking such as chuck roast, brisket, or short ribs. Choose cuts with adequate marbling, as the fat content helps keep the meat tender during the long cooking process. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the thickness and size of the cut you choose.

How long can I store the leftover Korean sesame garlic beef?
Store leftover beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Store the sauce separately or with the meat to keep it moist. For longer storage, you can freeze the beef and sauce in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What vegetables pair well with this dish if I want to add more nutrition?
Steamed or sautéed vegetables like bok choy, broccoli, snap peas, or carrots complement this beef beautifully. You can also add sliced bell peppers or onions directly to the slow cooker during the last hour of cooking. Bean sprouts, cabbage, or mushrooms also work well and absorb the delicious sesame garlic flavors.

Can I make this recipe spicy if my family prefers heat?
Absolutely, add red pepper flakes (gochugaru for authentic Korean heat), sriracha, or gochujang paste to the marinade to add spice. Start with a small amount and adjust to your preferred heat level. Adding fresh, sliced red chili peppers as a garnish also adds visual appeal and extra kick.

Is there a way to thicken the sauce if it turns out too thin?
If the sauce is thinner than you’d like, make a cornstarch slurry by mixing 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the slurry and cook until the sauce thickens. Alternatively, remove the beef and simmer the sauce in a saucepan on the stovetop until it reduces to your desired consistency.

This Slow Cooker Korean Sesame Garlic Beef delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort, making it an ideal weeknight dinner or meal prep option for busy families. Tender beef infused with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil creates an authentically inspired Korean dish that pairs perfectly with steamed rice and vegetables.

Whether you’re new to Korean cooking or a seasoned home chef, this slow cooker recipe offers ingredient flexibility, customizable heat levels, and simple prep that fits seamlessly into any schedule. The rich, savory sauce and melt-in-your-mouth beef will have your family asking for this dish on regular rotation.

Slow Cooker Korean Sesame Garlic Beef

Manila Spoon

Melt-in-your-mouth tender and so tasty is this Slow Cooker Korean Sesame Garlic Beef. The delicious marinade with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil gives the beef so much flavor. Such a breeze to make in the crockpot, too. Serve with rice and drizzle the sauce all over.

4.91 from 30 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 hours hrs

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Asian, Korean

Servings 8 people

Calories 365 kcal

Equipment

• Slow Cooker or Crockpot

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• 4 tbsp sesame seeds toasted
• 3 lb beef sirloin tip roast or chuck roast, sliced into strips or bite-size chunks
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup sesame oil
• 2 tbsp freshly grated ginger
• 6 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 4-6 stalks green onions, sliced thinly

Instructions

 

• If your sesame seeds are not pre-toasted, dry fry them in a skillet or frying pan until nicely browned but not burned. Divide in half and set aside.
• Slice the beef sirloin or chuck roast into strips or bite size chunks. Set aside.
• In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, water, sesame oil, half of the roasted sesame seeds, ginger, garlic, and flour. Add the pieces of beef and mix well to ensure they're well coated with the marinade. Let sit in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. If short on time, marinate for at least 1 hour.
• Pour in the beef and its marinade into the slow cooker or crockpot. Cover and cook for 5-7 hours on low or until meat is tender. You can cook it for 3-4 hours on high, too.
• Transfer the meat to a dish and sprinkle with the remaining sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve immediately with hot rice.

Notes

TIPS & TRICKS

I have made this with chicken too (use either thighs or breasts) it came out so good. Definitely try the poultry version, if you don’t like beef. 

Serve with rice as always. For the instant pot version, find the recipe here.

Nutrition

Calories: 365kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 39gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 915mgPotassium: 676mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 60IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 97mgIron: 4mg

Keyword how to cook korean beef in the slow cooker, korean beef in the crockpot, korean meat marinade, slow cooker korean sesame garlic beef

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Last updated on October 19th, 2026 at 10:13 pm