Easy Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe for Busy Weeknights

Beef and broccoli slow cooker magic brings comfort right to your kitchen with minimal effort.

Tender meat promises a delightful meal that practically cooks itself.

Weeknight dinners become effortless when you combine simple ingredients in one pot.

Every bite delivers rich, savory flavors that dance between hearty protein and crisp vegetables.

You appreciate how this method tenderizes tough cuts into melt-in-your-mouth perfection.

Subtle Asian-inspired seasonings infuse each morsel with depth and complexity.

Savor this restaurant-quality dish without spending hours at the stove – you’ll want seconds!

Grab your slow cooker and prepare for a meal that satisfies soul and stomach.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

Main Ingredients:

• Beef Strips: Lean meat perfect for a comforting meal.

• Beef Consume: Rich liquid that adds deep flavor.
• Soy Sauce: Salty Asian-style condiment.
• Dark Brown Sugar: Sweet ingredient that balances savory notes.
• Sesame Oil: Nutty oil with authentic Asian profile.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient with bold taste.

• Cornstarch: Helps create smooth sauce texture.
• Broccoli: Fresh green vegetable that adds nutrition.
• White Rice: Classic side for serving the dish.

• Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings for enhancing flavor.

How to Make Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

Step 1: Blend Flavor-Packed Sauce

Whisk together beef consume, soy sauce, dark brown sugar, sesame oil, and minced garlic in a mixing bowl until well combined.

Create a rich, glossy marinade that will infuse the meat with incredible depth of flavor.

Step 2: Prepare Protein

Place beef strips into the slow cooker and generously coat them with the prepared sauce.

Ensure each piece is thoroughly covered, allowing the marinade to penetrate and tenderize the meat.

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

Set the slow cooker to low heat and let the beef simmer gently for 5-6 hours.

Monitor the cooking time carefully to prevent the meat from becoming too shredded or dry.

Step 4: Thicken the Sauce

One hour before completion, remove a small portion of the cooking liquid and whisk it with cornstarch in a separate bowl.

Slowly incorporate this mixture back into the slow cooker to create a luxurious, silky sauce.

Step 5: Add Fresh Broccoli

During the final 30 minutes of cooking, introduce fresh broccoli florets to the slow cooker.

This timing ensures the vegetables remain crisp and vibrant, avoiding a mushy texture.

Step 6: Serve and Savor

Spoon the succulent beef and broccoli over fluffy white rice.

The tender meat, crisp vegetables, and rich sauce create a restaurant-quality meal right in your kitchen.

Tips for Beef and Broccoli Perfection

• Monitor cooking time closely to keep meat tender and prevent shredding, aiming for 5-6 hours on low heat.
• Mix cornstarch with a small portion of hot sauce in a separate bowl before adding to prevent lumps and achieve smooth consistency.
• Add broccoli only during the last 30 minutes of cooking to maintain crisp texture and vibrant green color.
• Adjust soy sauce and brown sugar ratios to balance sweetness and saltiness according to personal taste preferences.
• Prepare sauce mixture and slice beef in advance, storing separately in refrigerator for quick assembly on busy mornings.

Storage and Reheating for Beef and Broccoli

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Portion the beef and broccoli in freezer-safe containers, storing for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing rice separately to maintain best texture.
• Warm gently in the microwave at 50% power, stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of beef broth to prevent drying out.
• If the sauce seems thick after storing, quickly stir in a little water or broth to restore the original consistency before serving.

What to Serve with Beef and Broccoli

• Pair with Jasmine Rice Delight: Fluffy jasmine rice complements the rich, savory beef and broccoli, absorbing the delicious sauce and providing a perfect textural contrast.
• Sip with Bold Red Wine Match: A medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir cuts through the dish's richness, enhancing the beef's deep flavors with its fruity undertones.
• Refresh with Asian-Inspired Beverage: Crisp green tea or a light Chinese beer balances the meal's intense umami notes, cleansing the palate between each tender beef bite.
• Add Crunchy Side Harmony: Cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame seeds offers a cool, refreshing counterpoint to the warm, hearty slow cooker beef and broccoli.

Beef and Broccoli Variations

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the dish gluten-free and suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegetarian Swap: Substitute beef strips with extra-firm tofu or seitan chunks, maintaining the same marinade and cooking method for a plant-based alternative.
• Low-Carb Version: Skip the rice and serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate content for keto or paleo diet followers.
• Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the marinade for those who enjoy a fiery flavor profile with their beef and broccoli.

FAQs

• Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?

Yes, you can use chuck roast, flank steak, or sirloin. Just make sure it’s a tender cut that can handle slow cooking.

• Is it okay to substitute dark brown sugar?

You can use light brown sugar or even honey as an alternative. The sweetness will help balance the savory flavors.

• What if I don't have beef consume?

Beef broth works perfectly as a substitute. If you’re in a pinch, you can even use chicken broth, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.

• How do I prevent the beef from becoming tough?

Cook on low heat and avoid overcooking. The slow cooker method helps break down the meat fibers, ensuring tender beef when cooked for the right amount of time.

What Makes Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli a Go-To

• Tender Meat Magic: Slow cooking transforms tough beef strips into melt-in-your-mouth, incredibly juicy meat that's packed with rich, savory flavors.
• Healthy Veggie Boost: Perfectly cooked broccoli adds a nutritious green element, creating a balanced meal that's both delicious and wholesome for the entire family.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Great for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or feeding a hungry crowd with its simple yet satisfying combination of protein and vegetables.

Slow Cooker Beef And Broccoli Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Slow cooker beef and broccoli delivers hearty Asian-inspired comfort straight to dinner tables. Tender beef melts alongside crisp broccoli, creating a simple yet satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) beef chuck roast, boneless, sliced into thin strips
• 3 cups (about 425 grams) frozen broccoli florets
• 14 ounces (400 grams) white or brown rice, cooked

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) beef consommé or beef broth
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) low sodium soy sauce
• 1/3 cup (75 grams) dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) sesame oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced

Thickener:

• 1/4 cup (30 grams) cornstarch

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Instructions

1. Prepare a savory marinade by blending beef consume, soy sauce, dark brown sugar, sesame oil, and minced garlic in a mixing bowl until well combined.
2. Arrange beef strips in the slow cooker, ensuring an even layer, and drizzle the prepared marinade over the meat, gently tossing to coat each strip thoroughly.
3. Set the slow cooker to low heat and allow the beef to simmer gently for 5-6 hours, monitoring to prevent overcooking and potential shredding.
4. Approximately one hour before completion, extract 1/4 cup of cooking liquid and whisk with cornstarch in a separate bowl to create a thickening slurry.
5. Gradually incorporate the cornstarch mixture into the slow cooker, stirring carefully to distribute and enhance the sauce’s consistency.
6. During the final 30 minutes of cooking, introduce fresh broccoli florets, ensuring they are nestled among the beef strips to absorb flavors without becoming mushy.
7. Once cooking is complete, test the beef for tenderness and the broccoli for a crisp-tender texture.
8. Plate the beef and broccoli over fluffy white rice, allowing the rich sauce to cascade over the dish for maximum flavor absorption.

Notes

• Perfectly tender beef depends on choosing the right cut like chuck roast or flank steak with good marbling.
• Cornstarch slurry works magic for thickening sauce and creating glossy restaurant-style consistency without lumps.
• Broccoli timing is crucial – adding too early makes it mushy, so last 30 minutes ensures crisp-tender texture and vibrant green color.
• Low and slow cooking prevents beef from becoming tough, maintaining succulent and melt-in-your-mouth quality throughout preparation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 392
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 830 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg