My aunt started making these instead of ordering takeout. You only need 4 ingredients to make these steaming savory bundles that everyone fights over.

These slow cooker 4-ingredient sesame ginger beef foil packets are my answer to those nights when everyone is craving takeout, but I don’t want the bill or the grease. My aunt started making these instead of ordering in, and they quickly turned into the kind of steaming, savory bundles that everyone at the table fights over. You tuck thin strips of beef into individual foil packets with bottled sesame-ginger sauce, then let the slow cooker do the work. The meat turns tender and saucy, and because everything is wrapped in foil, cleanup is almost nothing—perfect for busy family evenings.

Serve the hot foil packets straight from the slow cooker, opening them at the table so everyone gets a puff of that sesame-ginger steam. Spoon the beef and sauce over hot white or brown rice, or pile it onto cooked ramen noodles for a takeout-style bowl. Add a quick side of steamed broccoli, green beans, or a bagged Asian-style salad to round out the meal. If you like a little extra crunch, top with more sesame seeds and some sliced green onions, and set out soy sauce, chili crisp, or sriracha for anyone who likes more heat.

Servings: 4

2 pounds beef sirloin or flank steak, sliced into thin strips

Line your slow cooker crock with a single layer of foil packets in mind by tearing 4 large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil, each about 12x12 inches. Set the foil sheets aside for filling.

Slice the beef into thin strips, about 1/4 inch thick, cutting against the grain so it turns out tender. Pat the strips dry with paper towels to help them brown slightly and soak up the sauce.

In a medium bowl, stir together the sesame-ginger sauce and soy sauce until well combined. This is your simple, savory marinade and cooking sauce.

Add the sliced beef to the bowl with the sesame-ginger mixture and toss until every strip is well coated. If you have time, let it sit for 10–15 minutes while you prep the foil; if not, you can use it right away.

Lay out the 4 pieces of foil. Divide the saucy beef strips evenly among the foil sheets, piling the meat in the center of each sheet. Spoon any extra sauce from the bowl over the top of the meat in each pile so nothing goes to waste.

Sprinkle the sesame seeds evenly over the tops of the beef piles in each foil sheet. They’ll toast gently as everything cooks and give a nice nutty flavor and texture.

Fold each foil sheet up into a packet: bring two opposite sides of the foil together over the beef and fold them down tightly a few times, then roll up the remaining open ends to seal. You want the packets snug and sealed so the steam stays inside and the sauce doesn’t leak out.

Place the sealed foil packets in a single layer in the bottom of the slow cooker, seam side up. It’s okay if they’re close together or touching, but try not to stack them so they cook evenly.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours, or on HIGH for about 2–3 hours, until the beef is very tender and easy to pull apart with a fork. Cooking times can vary a bit by slow cooker, so check one packet toward the earlier time.

When the beef is done, turn the slow cooker to WARM. Carefully use tongs to open one packet—watch for hot steam—and check that the meat is fully cooked and the sauce is bubbling.

To serve, keep the packets in the slow cooker to stay hot. Let everyone use tongs to grab a foil packet, then open it on their plate or over a bowl of rice or noodles. Sprinkle with a few extra sesame seeds if you like and spoon all those tasty juices over the top.

For kids or picky eaters, you can use a milder sesame-ginger sauce or add a teaspoon of brown sugar to the sauce mix to soften the flavors. If your family prefers leaner meat, use top round steak and slice it very thin so it still turns tender. You can also add a handful of quick-cooking veggies (like thinly sliced bell peppers or snap peas) directly into each packet, but keep in mind that this technically adds more ingredients beyond the core 4; if you do, slice them thin so they soften in the same cooking time. For extra heat, stir a teaspoon of chili paste or sriracha into the sesame-ginger sauce before coating the beef. If you need this gluten-free, choose a gluten-free sesame-ginger sauce and soy sauce (or tamari). Food safety tips: Always start with fresh, fully thawed beef—never put frozen meat straight into the slow cooker, as it can sit too long at unsafe temperatures. Keep raw beef and its juices away from other ingredients and surfaces; wash your hands, cutting board, and knife with hot soapy water after handling. Make sure the slow cooker is set to LOW or HIGH, not WARM, during cooking so the beef reaches a safe internal temperature of at least 145°F, though this recipe cooks it longer for tenderness. Discard any leftover sauce that has been in contact with raw meat unless it has been fully cooked. Cool leftovers within 2 hours, store in the refrigerator in a covered container, and enjoy within 3–4 days; reheat until steaming hot before serving.