If you’re craving something hearty, flavorful, and absolutely fuss-free, this Crockpot Beef and Broccoli Recipe is about to become your new best friend in the kitchen. Imagine tender strips of beef soaking up a savory-sweet sauce, mingling perfectly with crisp-tender broccoli that keeps its vibrant green color and fresh bite. This delicious, slow-cooked dish offers incredible depth of flavor with minimal hands-on time, making it a perfect weeknight dinner or a comforting weekend meal. Whether you’re a busy bee or just love a good set-it-and-forget-it recipe, this dish has it all.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple but essential to building the layers of flavor and texture that make this Crockpot Beef and Broccoli Recipe so irresistible. Each one brings its character, from savory umami to a touch of sweetness, and the freshness of garlic and ginger keeps it bright and lively.
- 1 lb flank steak or sirloin beef, thinly sliced against the grain: Choosing a tender cut and slicing properly ensures the beef cooks up juicy and easy to bite.
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen): Adds vibrant color and a satisfying crunch that balances the rich beef.
- 1/2 cup soy sauce: The salty, savory base that brings authentic Asian flavor to the dish.
- 1/4 cup brown sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the saltiness of the soy sauce.
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil: Brings a warm, nutty aroma that elevates the overall flavor experience.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: Provides a pungent depth that wakes up your taste buds.
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger): Infuses zest and slight warmth that pairs beautifully with beef.
- 1/4 cup water: Helps create the perfect sauce consistency during cooking.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening): Great for those who like a saucier dish with a luscious glaze.
- 2 tablespoons cold water (if using cornstarch): Necessary for making a smooth slurry to thicken the sauce evenly.
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (optional): Adds a subtle tang that brightens up the savory sauce.
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish, optional): A little crunch and a beautiful finishing touch.
- Cooked rice (for serving): The perfect bed for soaking up all that delicious sauce.
How to Make Crockpot Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Beef
Getting the beef ready sets the foundation for this dish. Thinly slice the flank steak or sirloin across the grain into about 1/4-inch thick strips to keep it tender when cooked. A handy tip: if slicing feels tricky, pop the beef in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes first. This slight chill firms it up, making slicing easier and neater.
Step 2: Mix the Sauce
Whisk together your soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, water, and rice vinegar if you’re using it. This sauce combo is where the magic happens, blending salty, sweet, nutty, and zesty notes. If you’re dreaming of a saucier final dish, this is also when to prepare your cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with cold water for a smooth texture.
Step 3: Add Beef and Sauce to the Crockpot
Place the sliced beef in the bottom of your crockpot, then pour the sauce mixture right over it. Give everything a good toss or stir so the beef is fully coated in that flavorful marinade. This step ensures every bite will be bursting with taste.
Step 4: Cook the Beef
Cover your crockpot and set it to cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or if you’re short on time, high for 2 to 3 hours. The slow heat gently tenderizes the beef until it’s perfectly soft and juicy, soaking in all those lovely sauce flavors.
Step 5: Add the Broccoli
About 30 minutes before you’re ready to eat, stir in the broccoli florets. Whether fresh or frozen, adding the broccoli later keeps it from becoming soggy while letting it absorb some of the rich sauce, creating the ideal tender-crisp texture.
Step 6: Thicken the Sauce (Optional)
If you like your Crockpot Beef and Broccoli Recipe with a velvety, glossy sauce, mix cornstarch with cold water to form a slurry and stir it into the crockpot about 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Let the sauce thicken beautifully while the broccoli finishes cooking.
Step 7: Serve
Scoop your tender beef and bright broccoli over a bed of fluffy cooked rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for a lovely crunchy finish if you’d like. This dish is all about comfort and ease, perfectly suited for sharing with friends or enjoying as a weeknight treat.
How to Serve Crockpot Beef and Broccoli Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling toasted sesame seeds over the top adds a subtle crunch and nutty flavor that complements the beef beautifully. For an extra layer of color and zing, fresh chopped scallions or a drizzle of chili oil can be fantastic options as well.
Side Dishes
This Crockpot Beef and Broccoli Recipe pairs wonderfully with simple steamed jasmine or basmati rice to soak up the sauce. For a little extra veggie bounty, serve alongside steamed carrots, snap peas, or even a crunchy Asian slaw to balance the rich entree.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to dress things up, serve the beef and broccoli over a bed of cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option, or roll it up in warm tortillas or lettuce cups for a fun fusion twist. Garnishing with fresh cilantro or crushed peanuts can also add texture and brighten the flavors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Crockpot Beef and Broccoli keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld, making your next meal just as delicious and satisfying as the first.
Freezing
This dish freezes well, too. Portion it into freezer-safe containers and store for up to 2 months. Just be sure to cool it completely before freezing to preserve the best texture and taste.
Reheating
For reheating, gently warm your leftovers on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much. Stir occasionally until heated through, and the broccoli is still tender but not overcooked.
FAQs
Can I use other cuts of beef for this Crockpot Beef and Broccoli Recipe?
Absolutely! While flank steak or sirloin work best for tenderness and flavor, you can use other cuts like chuck roast or brisket, but expect longer cooking times and potentially a different texture.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Just swap out regular soy sauce for tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative, and double check any other ingredients like rice vinegar to ensure they’re gluten-free.
Can I add other vegetables to the crockpot?
Definitely! Feel free to toss in bell peppers, snap peas, mushrooms, or carrots. Just add firmer veggies earlier in the cooking process and more delicate ones closer to the end to keep everything perfectly cooked.
What if I don’t have a crockpot?
No worries! You can cook this on the stove in a deep skillet or pot by marinating the beef, then simmering everything on low heat until tender. It won’t be quite the same slow-cooked texture but will still taste fantastic.
How thick should I make the sauce?
This is totally up to your preference. If you like a thinner, more broth-like sauce, skip the cornstarch. For a richer, clingy glaze, adding the cornstarch slurry at the end thickens the sauce beautifully.
Final Thoughts
Nothing beats coming home to a warm, comforting meal like this Crockpot Beef and Broccoli Recipe that’s both simple and packed with flavor. It’s a perfect example of how a handful of humble ingredients can come together to make something truly special. I can’t wait for you to try it, share it with your loved ones, and make it a staple in your dinner rotation!
Print
Crockpot Beef and Broccoli Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes (low) or 2 hours 35 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American-Chinese Fusion
Description
A delicious and easy Crockpot Beef and Broccoli recipe featuring tender slices of beef simmered in a savory soy-ginger sauce, perfectly cooked in a slow cooker for effortless weeknight dinners. This hearty dish combines protein-rich beef with nutritious broccoli, all served over fluffy rice and garnished with sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Beef and Broccoli
- 1 lb flank steak or sirloin beef, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- Cooked rice (for serving)
Sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (optional)
Optional Thickener
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Thinly slice the flank steak or sirloin against the grain into strips about 1/4-inch thick. If slicing is difficult, freeze the beef for 20-30 minutes to make it easier to cut.
- Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger (or ground ginger), water, and rice vinegar if using. For a thicker sauce, create a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water, and add it to the sauce mixture.
- Add Beef and Sauce to the Crockpot: Place the sliced beef at the bottom of the crockpot. Pour the sauce mixture over the beef, stirring to coat the meat evenly with the sauce.
- Cook the Beef: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until the beef is tender and infused with the flavors of the sauce.
- Add the Broccoli: About 30 minutes before serving, add the broccoli florets to the crockpot. Stir gently to combine the broccoli with the beef and sauce. Use fresh or frozen broccoli for this step.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If a thicker sauce is preferred, prepare a cornstarch slurry with cornstarch and cold water and stir it into the crockpot 10-15 minutes before serving. Allow the sauce to thicken during this time.
- Serve: Serve the crockpot beef and broccoli hot over cooked rice. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired for added nuttiness and crunch.
Notes
- Freezing the beef slightly before slicing makes cutting thin strips easier and ensures even cooking.
- You can adjust the sweetness or saltiness of the sauce by varying the amount of brown sugar or soy sauce.
- Use fresh broccoli for best texture, but frozen broccoli works well and is convenient.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.
- Adding rice vinegar is optional but adds a nice tangy balance to the sauce.
- The cornstarch slurry helps thicken the sauce but can be omitted if you prefer a thinner sauce.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
