Easy Tender Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe for Perfect Weeknight Dinners
A simple and flavorful slow cooker recipe that delivers tender beef and crisp-tender broccoli in a savory sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes to 5 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds (680g) flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
- ½ cup (120ml) low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup (60ml) beef broth or water
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons cold water
- 4 cups (about 300g) fresh broccoli florets
- Optional garnish: toasted sesame seeds
- Optional garnish: sliced green onions
Instructions
- Slice the beef thinly across the grain into strips about ¼-inch thick. (Pro tip: Slightly freeze the beef for 20 minutes before slicing to make it easier.)
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil until sugar dissolves. Set aside.
- Place the sliced beef at the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the meat and stir gently to coat.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours, or until the beef is tender but not falling apart. Avoid lifting the lid too often.
- While the beef cooks, wash and cut broccoli into bite-sized florets. Set aside.
- About 20 minutes before serving, add broccoli florets on top of the beef. Mix cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry, then pour it over the beef and broccoli. Stir gently to combine.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes, until broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender, and sauce has thickened.
- Give everything a final stir to coat broccoli and beef evenly with the glossy sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve hot over steamed white or brown rice, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired.
Notes
Slice beef thinly against the grain for tenderness. Add broccoli near the end to keep it crisp-tender. Mix cornstarch slurry with cold water before adding to avoid clumps. If sauce is too thin, add more cornstarch slurry and cook on HIGH for 5 more minutes. Extend cooking time if beef is not tender enough. For gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos and gluten-free beef broth. Frozen broccoli can be used but add it in the last 10-15 minutes to avoid mushiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup beef and
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 28
Keywords: slow cooker beef and broccoli, easy beef recipe, weeknight dinner, slow cooker recipe, tender beef, broccoli recipe, Chinese takeout at home