Forget ordering takeout! This Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli recipe delivers that savory, rich flavor you crave with incredibly tender beef and crisp broccoli, all with minimal effort. It’s the ultimate “set it and forget it” meal that will have your kitchen smelling amazing for hours. If you’re looking for an easy, delicious dinner that the whole family will love, this is the recipe you’ve been searching for. It’s a game-changer for busy weeknights.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe
There are so many reasons to adore this simple yet flavorful dish. It’s a one-pot wonder that simplifies your cooking process and cleanup. Plus, letting the beef cook low and slow ensures it becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, something a quick stir-fry can’t always guarantee. This recipe is also easily customizable and much healthier than most restaurant versions, with no hidden MSG or excessive sodium.
Making this at home puts you in complete control of the ingredients. It’s a perfect dish for meal prepping, as the flavors get even better the next day. For another fantastic set-it-and-forget-it meal, check out these delicious Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches.
The Secret to Tender Beef and a Flavorful Sauce
The magic of this Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli lies in two key areas: the cut of beef and the perfectly balanced sauce. Getting these right is the secret to achieving a dish that rivals your favorite Chinese restaurant.
Choosing the Right Cut of Beef
For the most tender results in a slow cooker, a tougher cut of beef with good marbling is ideal. Chuck roast is my top recommendation because the slow cooking process breaks down the connective tissues, resulting in exceptionally tender meat. Flank steak is a leaner, more traditional option that also works beautifully; just be sure to slice it thinly against the grain.
The Perfect Slow Cooker Sauce
The sauce is the soul of this dish. It’s a simple but powerful combination of savory, sweet, and aromatic ingredients. Low-sodium soy sauce provides the salty, umami base, while beef broth adds depth. A touch of brown sugar balances the saltiness, and fresh garlic, minced ginger, and sesame oil provide that classic, irresistible aroma and flavor profile that makes beef and broccoli so beloved.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Beef: 2 lbs chuck roast or flank steak, sliced thin against the grain
- Beef Broth: 1 cup, low sodium
- Soy Sauce: 1/2 cup, low sodium
- Brown Sugar: 1/4 cup, packed
- Sesame Oil: 1 tablespoon
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced
- Ginger: 1 teaspoon, freshly grated
- Broccoli Florets: 4 cups, fresh
- Cornstarch: 3 tablespoons
- Water: 1/4 cup, cold
- Optional Garnish: Sesame seeds, sliced green onions
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In the basin of your slow cooker, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger until well combined.
- Cook the Beef: Add the sliced beef to the slow cooker and stir to ensure it’s fully coated in the sauce. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the beef is tender.
- Add the Broccoli: About 30 minutes before the cooking time is complete, add the fresh broccoli florets to the slow cooker. Stir gently, cover, and continue to cook until the broccoli is tender-crisp.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Pour the slurry into the slow cooker and stir gently. The sauce will thicken as it heats.
- Serve: Once the sauce has thickened, your Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli is ready. Serve it hot over a bed of fluffy rice or noodles, and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if desired.
Pro Tips for the Best Beef and Broccoli
To elevate this dish even further, keep these simple tips in mind. First, for a deeper flavor, you can sear the beef slices in a hot skillet with a little oil before adding them to the slow cooker. This isn’t required but adds a wonderful crust. Second, don’t add the broccoli too early! Putting it in during the last 30 minutes is the key to ensuring it stays vibrant green and tender-crisp, not mushy. Finally, always use cold water for your cornstarch slurry to prevent clumps and ensure a silky-smooth sauce.
Serving Suggestions
This versatile dish pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. The classic choice is fluffy white or brown rice to soak up the delicious sauce. For a different texture, try serving it over egg noodles, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. A simple side of steamed carrots or Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots can complete the meal beautifully.
Variations and Substitutions
Feel free to make this recipe your own! Add some heat with a teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a squirt of sriracha in the sauce. You can also incorporate other vegetables like sliced carrots, water chestnuts, or snap peas—just add them along with the broccoli. If you don’t have brown sugar, honey or maple syrup can be used as a substitute for that touch of sweetness.
Storage and Reheating
Store any leftover beef and broccoli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to meld, making it even tastier the next day. To reheat, simply microwave in 30-second intervals or gently warm it in a saucepan over medium-low heat until heated through. For another easy meal that stores well, try this One-Pot Beefaroni.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. Add it directly to the slow cooker (no need to thaw) during the last 30-45 minutes of cooking time. It may release a bit more water, but the cornstarch slurry will thicken the sauce perfectly.
We use a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce right in the slow cooker. Simply whisk 3 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup of cold water, then stir it into the slow cooker until the sauce thickens.
The key is to add the broccoli florets during the last 30 minutes of the cooking time. This ensures they are cooked until tender-crisp and retain their bright green color without becoming mushy.
Yes, this homemade version is significantly healthier. You control the ingredients, using low-sodium soy sauce and no MSG. It typically contains less sugar, sodium, and oil than most restaurant versions.
The best cut is a chuck roast due to its marbling, which becomes incredibly tender during the slow cooking process. Flank steak, sliced thinly against the grain, is another excellent and more traditional option.
More Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes
If you loved this simple crockpot meal, you’ll be delighted by some of our other slow cooker favorites. From comforting soups to hearty main courses, your slow cooker is the key to effortless and delicious meals. Try our incredible Slow Cooker Pot Roast for a classic comfort dish or the crowd-pleasing Slow Cooker Steak Bites for your next gathering.
The Ultimate Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli (Better Than Takeout!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In the basin of your slow cooker, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger until well combined.
- Add the sliced beef to the slow cooker and stir to ensure it's fully coated in the sauce. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the beef is tender.
- About 30 minutes before the cooking time is complete, add the fresh broccoli florets to the slow cooker. Stir gently, cover, and continue to cook until the broccoli is tender-crisp.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Pour the slurry into the slow cooker and stir gently. The sauce will thicken as it heats.
- Once the sauce has thickened, your Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli is ready. Serve it hot over a bed of fluffy rice or noodles, and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if desired.
Notes
Do not add the broccoli until the last 30 minutes to prevent it from getting mushy.
You can add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicy kick.
Share Your Creation!
We are confident this will become your go-to recipe for Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli. It’s a simple, savory, and satisfying meal perfect for any night of the week. If you enjoyed it, we’d love for you to leave a comment below and share it with your friends on Pinterest!
