Cut the beef into bite-sized cubes and season lightly with black pepper.
Place the beef, minced garlic, soy sauce, beef broth, and a splash of sesame oil into a slow cooker.
Cook on Low for 6–8 hours or High for 3–4 hours until the beef is fork-tender.
Trim the asparagus and cut into 2-inch pieces.
Add the asparagus during the last 20–30 minutes of cooking so it remains crisp-tender.
Stir gently and adjust seasoning with additional soy sauce or black pepper if needed.
Serve hot over steamed rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.