Rice Cooker Beef Pepper Rice (Pepper Lunch)

Name: Rice Cooker Beef Pepper Rice
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 1 cup (150 g) Japanese short grain rice; 4-6 tbsp yakiniku sauce* or alternative below; 2-3 minced garlic cloves, divided; 1 tsp beef stock; 3/4 cup (120 g) corn; 9 oz (250 g) thinly sliced beef (beef blade chuck, ribeye, short plate, sirloin or brisket); 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 scallion; 1-2 knobs of butter; 2-2.5 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp oyster sauce; 1 tbsp mirin; 1 tbsp sake; 1 tsp sugar

Rice Cooker Beef Pepper Rice is a quick and easy one-pot recipe that brings the classic Japanese beef pepper rice to your kitchen! Juicy thinly sliced beef, sweet corn, buttery rice, and a flavorful yakiniku sauce come together for a sizzling meal—no hot plate needed. Perfect for a fast, satisfying dinner with minimal cleanup!

beef rice pepper lunch in a rice cooker pot

One Pot Beef Pepper Rice
Ingredients and Substitutions
How to Make Beef Pepper Rice in a Rice Cooker
VIDEO: Watch How to Make It
Lisa’s Recipe Tips
Instant Pot Method
Stove Top Method
How to Store Leftovers
Recipe FAQ
More Rice Cooker Recipes to Make
Rice Cooker Beef Pepper Rice Recipe

One Pot Beef Pepper Rice

This recipe is inspired by Pepper Lunch, a popular Japanese fast-food chain known for its sizzling hot plate meals. Their signature Beef Pepper Rice features thinly sliced beef, corn, and butter over a bed of rice, cooked right at the table with a rich, flavorful sauce. This rice cooker version captures the same bold flavors but in a hands-off, easy-to-make meal at home!

Ingredients and Substitutions

You only need a few pantry-friendly ingredients to make this one-pot Japanese beef rice at home:

rice cooker pepper lunch beef rice ingredients in bowls

Japanese short-grain rice: I highly recommend using short grain rice for this recipe for its neutral flavour and chewy texture. Medium-grain rice can work, but long-grain varieties like jasmine won’t have the same taste or texture.
Yakiniku sauce: I use my homemade yakiniku sauce but you can use store bought. In a pinch, you can make a quick sauce with soy sauce, oyster sauce and sugar (recipe in the recipe card below).
Garlic
Beef stock
Sweet corn – A signature ingredient in Pepper Lunch beef rice! It adds sweetness and crunch. You can use canned or frozen.
Thinly sliced beef: I use whatever is on sale that week or the least expensive. Thinly sliced beef chuck is often the most cost efficient but also the least fatty in comparison to ribeye, short plate and sirloin. I find the butter makes up for less fatty cut of beef but if use your favourite cut! You can even slice your own beef from steak.
Black pepper
Scallions
Butter

How to Make Beef Pepper Rice in a Rice Cooker

This recipe is incredibly easy and perfect for busy week days! Here’s a rundown:

step by step how to make beef rice in a rice cooker

Wash and prep the rice: Rinse until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
Season the rice & add corn: Add yakiniku sauce, garlic, beef stock, and a little water. Spread corn over the rice before starting the cooking cycle.
Marinate the beef: Toss with yakiniku sauce, garlic, and black pepper.
Add beef at the right time: For thinly sliced beef (1mm or thinner), add it during the last 15 minutes of cooking. If using thicker and fattier beef slices, add them at the beginning.
- If your rice cooker doesn’t allow you to open it during the cooking cycle or your beef slices are thicker than 1 mm, add it in the beginning on top of the corn.
Finish with butter and scallions: Once done, stir in butter and scallions for that classic Pepper Lunch finish.

VIDEO: Watch How to Make It

Lisa’s Recipe Tips

Use less water: The corn and beef release moisture as they cook, so slightly reduce the amount of water to prevent soggy rice.
Add beef at the right time: If using super thin beef (1 mm), add it at the end and let the residual heat cook it through. If using thicker beef, add it at the beginning on top of the corn.
Use a budget-friendly cut: Since everything is cooked together in a rice cooker, a cheaper cut of beef works just as well. The butter adds enough fat to make it taste rich and tender, so save your expensive cuts for other occasions!

Instant Pot Method

If you want to use an instant pot:

Add rinsed rice to the Instant Pot with yakiniku sauce, garlic, beef stock, and water.
Top with corn and cook on “Rice” mode or Manual High Pressure for 3 minutes, then natural release for 10 minutes.
Marinate the beef while the rice cooks.
Once done, stir in the beef, close the lid for 5 minutes to let it gently cook.

Stove Top Method

If you don’t have a rice cooker or Instant Pot, you can make this in one pot on the stove too! Here’s how:

Add rinsed rice to a pot with water, yakiniku sauce, garlic, and beef stock. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer.
Add the corn and cover. Cook for 15 minutes on low heat.
Marinate the beef while the rice is cooking. After 15 minutes, add the beef on top, cover, and let it steam for 5 minutes before serving.

How to Store Leftovers

This pepper beef rice is also great for making ahead and meal prepping! Leftovers can be kept in the fridge or freezer.

Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Microwave with a splash of water or in a pan over low heat with extra butter.
Freezing: Not recommended as the texture of the rice and beef may change.

Recipe FAQ

Can I use a different protein?

Yes! You can use chicken, pork, or even tofu for a plant-based version.

What rice cooker can I use?

Ideally, use a 3 or 5-cup rice cooker for this recipe. You can use a multi function rice cooker or a rice cooker with a on and off switch. For more details on cooking meals in a rice cooker, check out my rice cooker guide.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes! Simply double all the ingredients, but make sure your rice cooker can handle the volume. A 5.5 or 10-cup rice cooker works best for doubling.

More Rice Cooker Recipes to Make

Enjoy! If you make this Rice Cooker Beef Pepper Rice recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and rating below, and if you share it on social media, tag me on Instagram @Okonomikitchen. I can’t wait to see your creations!