Easy Crockpot Beef and Broccoli
Easy Crockpot Beef and Broccoli
This Crockpot Beef and Broccoli is an easy takeout-inspired dinner made with tender slices of beef, broccoli, and a sweet and savory homemade sauce. Everything cooks slowly until the beef is tender and flavorful, then fresh broccoli is added near the end so it stays bright and doesn’t turn mushy.
Serve it over a big bowl of fluffy white rice and spoon that delicious sauce over everything.
This is one of those easy crockpot dinners that’s perfect for busy weeknights. You can get everything into the slow cooker earlier in the day, then add the broccoli shortly before dinner.
Easy Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
Beef and broccoli is one of my favorite takeout-style dinners to make at home.
The sauce has that perfect combination of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. As the beef cooks, it becomes tender and absorbs all that flavor.
Then we’re thickening the sauce with a simple cornstarch slurry and adding broccoli toward the end.
You don’t want to put the broccoli in at the beginning. After several hours in the slow cooker, it can become very soft and lose that beautiful green color.
Adding it at the end gives you tender-crisp broccoli and perfectly cooked beef.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds flank steak or sirloin steak
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons cold water
- Cooked white rice, for serving
- Sliced green onions, optional
- Sesame seeds, optional
How to Make Crockpot Beef and Broccoli
Start by slicing the beef into thin strips.
For really tender pieces, slice the beef against the grain.
Add the sliced beef to your crockpot.
In a bowl, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and black pepper.
Pour the sauce over the beef.
Give everything a gentle stir.
Cover and cook on LOW for about 4–5 hours, or until the beef is tender.
Try not to overcook the beef. Thinly sliced steak doesn’t need an entire day in the slow cooker.
Thicken the Sauce
About 30 minutes before you’re ready to eat, combine the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl.
Stir until completely smooth.
Pour the cornstarch slurry into the crockpot and stir.
Add the fresh broccoli florets.
Cover and continue cooking on HIGH for approximately 20–30 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender and the sauce has thickened.
If you like your broccoli with a little more bite, check it at 15–20 minutes.
Serve
Spoon the beef, broccoli, and plenty of sauce over warm white rice.
Finish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if you’d like.
And make sure you get some of that sauce over the rice. That’s the best part!
What Cut of Beef Is Best for Beef and Broccoli?
Flank steak works really well for this recipe because you can slice it into thin strips that become tender as they cook.
Sirloin is another great option.
Whichever cut you choose, look at the direction of the muscle fibers and slice across them rather than in the same direction.
Cutting against the grain shortens those fibers and gives you more tender pieces of beef.
Can I Use Frozen Broccoli?
Fresh broccoli is my first choice because it’s easier to control the texture.
Frozen broccoli can be used, but it already contains quite a bit of moisture and can become soft quickly.
If using frozen broccoli, add it near the very end and cook only until heated through.
How Do You Keep Broccoli From Getting Mushy in the Crockpot?
Don’t add it at the beginning!
The beef needs several hours to become tender, but broccoli cooks much faster.
Add fresh broccoli during approximately the final 20–30 minutes of cooking.
You’ll get much prettier broccoli with a better texture.
How to Make the Sauce Thicker
Cornstarch is what transforms the cooking liquid into that glossy sauce that coats the beef and broccoli.
Always mix cornstarch with cold water before adding it to the crockpot.
If you dump dry cornstarch directly into hot liquid, you’ll probably end up with lumps.
After adding the slurry, turn the slow cooker to HIGH and give the sauce time to thicken.
What to Serve with Crockpot Beef and Broccoli
White rice is my favorite because it soaks up all that savory sauce.
You could also serve it with:
- Brown rice
- Jasmine rice
- Fried rice
- Cauliflower rice
- Noodles
Add egg rolls or wontons on the side and you’ve got an easy takeout-inspired dinner at home.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover beef and broccoli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave or gently in a skillet.
The sauce may thicken in the refrigerator, so add a splash of beef broth or water while reheating if necessary.
Jennie’s Thoughts
I love easy crockpot dinners, especially when they replace something I might normally order for takeout.
And beef and broccoli is such a classic.
The beef gets tender, the broccoli is added at the end so it doesn’t turn to mush, and that sweet and savory sauce is SO good over rice.
This is definitely one where I want extra sauce in my bowl.
Add some rice, sprinkle green onions over the top, and dinner is done.
Easy, cozy, and delicious.
