Slow Cooker Sweet Spicy Indonesian Pulled Beef

Slow Cooker Asian Beef

You know those recipes that make your whole kitchen smell amazing? This is one of them.
Slow Cooker Sweet Spicy Indonesian Pulled Beef is a family favorite - tender beef that falls apart, coated in a glossy, rich sauce with that perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory.

It's the Indonesian cousin of pulled pork: same comforting idea, but with a Southeast Asian twist. The kecap manis brings deep sweetness, the sambal adds heat, and the tamarind balances everything out with a hint of tang.

Serve it on a sandwich, with rice, or even with fries (trust me on that one). It's one of those dishes that makes everyone at the table go quiet - always a good sign.

And if you like Asian-inspired slow cooker recipes, try this Mongolion Beef Recipe. One of my favorite Asian foods and a great recipe. With these easy recipes, you don't need Chinese takeout anymore.

What Do You Need?

See recipe card for exact amounts.

• Oil: Use a neutral vegetable oil such as sunflower or canola.
• Onion: Yellow onion works best; shallots can be used for extra depth.
• Garlic: Squeezed or finely minced for that classic savory base.
• Tamarind pulp: Adds tang and tenderizes the beef. Substitute with 1 tablespoon lemon juice + 1 teaspoon brown sugar if needed.
• Chili Paste: In the Dutch / Indonesian kitchen,  or  is used as the spice in this recipe. You can also use buffalo sauce, adobo sauce, chipotle pepper, or sriracha to make it spicy. Or use ¼ teaspoon chili powder and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper. Adjust the amount to your taste.y.
• Brown sugar: Adds sweetness and a caramel undertone to balance the spice.
• Worcestershire sauce: Adds umami depth; use vegan Worcestershire if avoiding fish.
• Kecap Manis: Use  or  for this recipe. Sweet Indonesian soy sauce gives that signature glossy, rich flavor. If you only have light soy sauce (or dark sauce) but still want a sweet taste. Then add two tablespoons of honey to ⅓ cup (80 ml) of soy sauce.
• Sweet chili sauce: For a gentle heat and extra shine.
• Beef stock: Make a homemade beef broth or use cubes and dissolve them in hot water.
• Beef chuck roast: The best cut for slow cooking; it becomes beautifully tender and shreds easily. You can also use round roast or tri-tip.

How To Prepare

You can find a printable recipe with a step-by-step description at the bottom of this blog.

1. Fry onion and tomato paste until softened. Stir in garlic, tamarind, sambal, brown sugar, Worcestershire, kecap manis, and chili sauce. Cook until slightly thickened, then transfer to slow cooker.
2. Add beef and stock, stir to coat. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
3. Shred the beef with two forks and mix into the sauce.
4. Serve with rice, bread, or noodles.

It looks beautiful garnished with sweet and sour onions and parsley, but this is entirely optional.